Kasi Pride, a pioneering LGBTQ+ initiative, has marked its 11th anniversary by redefining its purpose in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Founder Luxolo Ndlovu says the organization has moved beyond mere visibility and celebration to focus on education, empowerment, and access to services. This shift is reflected in the hosting of an LGBTIQ+ Dialogue at Ikhwezi Centre in NY2, Gugulethu, which brought together community members, activists, and stakeholders to discuss the experiences, rights, and aspirations of LGBTQIA+ people.
The dialogue created an opportunity for residents to engage directly with organizations providing services and support as part of their everyday work. Participating stakeholders included the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the Aurum Institute's POP INN Programme, loveLife, TB HIV Care, UNISA, IAM Ministries, the Office of the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Their presence gave attendees a chance to learn about available services and explore avenues for support.
Kasi Pride's return to Gugulethu was significant, as it brought queer advocacy into the township itself, placing conversations about identity, acceptance, and opportunity within the community it seeks to serve. Ndlovu emphasized that the initiative didn't just party, but hosted a meaningful dialogue in their own township, where it matters most. The message was clear: Pride must be more than an annual expression of visibility; it must also create opportunities for learning, access to resources, and lasting community change.
A key aspect of the gathering was the presence of organizations offering information about their services and support. This practical dimension added weight to the dialogue's focus on inclusion and youth development. For LGBTQIA+ people, meaningful participation in society involves more than recognition of their identities; it also includes access to information, education, healthcare, financial assistance, and opportunities to develop their futures.
Kasi Pride partnered with the NYDA National Youth Service to host a Social Cohesion Dialogue and Opportunities Programme for the LGBTQIA+ community. The collaboration included discussions around a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to strengthen social cohesion, foster inclusion, and formalize cooperation between Kasi Pride and the NYDA. Mx Busisiwe Nxumalo, an openly LGBTQIA+ NYDA board member, contributed to the programme through a virtual presentation and received a recognition award from Kasi Pride.
Education was another defining feature of Kasi Pride's 2026 programme, with the introduction of its own branded SOGI Universe poster aimed at helping young people understand sexual orientation and gender identity. By developing an educational resource under its own name, Kasi Pride sought to place knowledge within the community and encourage conversations that challenge misconceptions about LGBTQIA+ identities. This approach challenges the idea that queer inclusion is simply about allowing LGBTQIA+ people to be visible.
For Ndlovu, the ultimate measure of Kasi Pride's success is not the number of years it has survived, but whether educational resources reach young people, whether partnerships create tangible opportunities, and whether organizations present continue engaging with the community beyond the event. The next measure of success will be seen in the impact of Kasi Pride's efforts on the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Gugulethu and beyond.
Key points
- Kasi Pride shifts focus from visibility to education, youth development, and practical services in Gugulethu, Cape Town.
- The initiative partners with organizations to provide services and support to LGBTQIA+ individuals.
- Kasi Pride develops educational resources to challenge misconceptions about LGBTQIA+ identities.
