The 2026 Cape Town Pride Heroes Awards, held on September 25, shone a spotlight on unsung champions of the LGBTQIA+ community. The event, hosted by journalist and talk-show host Shahan Ramkissoon, celebrated individuals and organizations whose work has made a meaningful impact. More than 30 nominations were received, with Ramkissoon emphasizing that every nominee had contributed something significant. The awards recognized those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to promote dignity, safety, healthcare, belonging, visibility, and activism.
The Pink Light Movement, founded by Pastor Beverly C David and Prophet Roxanne Erasmus, was among the recipients. The movement created a "Free Hugs Found Here" sign at Cape Town Pride, providing a safe space for people to express themselves. The award acknowledged their work in reconciling faith, identity, and dignity. Another recipient was Igshaan Waleed de Vries, who has worked extensively on HIV prevention, transgender healthcare, and LGBTQIA+ health advocacy. His contributions have helped bring City Health into Cape Town Pride and coordinated an LGBTQIA+ awareness campaign in Kuils River.
Nyasha "Masi" Zhakata, founder and Executive Director of the Pachedu LGBTIQ+ Collective, was honored for advocating for LGBTQI+ refugees, migrants, asylum seekers, and displaced people. Her work has created a sense of community for those navigating displacement, discrimination, and queer identity. Liam du Preez Paterson, known as Madones, was recognized for his work at the intersection of queer performance and healthcare advocacy. His production, The Resurrection Files, raised R200,000 for AidsArk, supporting frontline HIV care in Khayelitsha.
Daniella Contessa, Co-Director of the Belhar/Delft Pride Support Group, was acknowledged for making LGBTQIA+ people more visible and supported. Her work includes partnerships with organizations and public institutions, as well as the area's first Pride Fitness Walk. Donwell Mpofu, through the Trans Guardians Alliance, has supported transgender and gender-diverse people, refugees, migrants, asylum seekers, and those experiencing homelessness and displacement. His support ranges from emergency shelter and humanitarian assistance to healthcare and identity documentation.
Anthene Roulet Onganisie's guiding philosophy is simple: "You cannot stand by and do nothing." Her work with the Red Ribbon Foundation has improved access to ARV treatment and supported people following an HIV diagnosis. Her home has also been a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people abandoned by their families. Yanga Gceya, President of Impulse Group Cape Town, was recognized for his work as a community organizer, HIV activist, and LGBTQI+ advocate. His visibility as a person living with HIV has become part of his advocacy, challenging stigma.
The Langa LGBTQI+ Pride was honored as a grassroots, community-led movement rooted in one of Cape Town's historic townships. Its annual Pride March and Cultural Festival celebrate queer joy, while its work extends to hate crime, gender-based violence, discrimination, emergency assistance, and health and psychosocial services. Reverend Sharon Cox received the Lifetime Achievement Award for over two decades of LGBTQIA+ human-rights advocacy across the Western Cape. Her work has included responding to hate crimes, supporting survivors, and contributing to national efforts addressing LGBTQI+ hate crimes.
The final Pride Hero award went to Impulse Group Cape Town, which has positioned health and human-rights advocacy inside queer cultural spaces. Since 2018, the organization has worked across healthcare, human rights, nightlife, ballroom, drag, pageantry, and Pride. In 2026 alone, its community work distributed over 10,000 condoms and 3,000 educational materials across queer spaces in Cape Town. The ceremony demonstrated that activism can take many forms, from conference rooms to dance floors, and that showing up and making space can be just as important as grand gestures.
Key points
- The 2026 Cape Town Pride Heroes Awards celebrated individuals and organizations strengthening LGBTQIA+ communities.
- The awards recognized those who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to promote dignity, safety, healthcare, belonging, visibility, and activism.
- The event highlighted the importance of community-led initiatives and the impact of unsung champions in promoting LGBTQIA+ rights.
