Southern Africa: Celebrating heritage and diversity

Johannesburg, 26 September: South Africans flocked to parks, beaches and waterfronts across the county on Wednesday to celebrate their diversity on Heritage Day or “National Braai Day.” Gender Links joined a group of Southern African youth activists and Gabriel Hoosain Khan from Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA) for a braai at Zoo Lake. As part of Pride month, Khan has been co-ordinating GALA’s Queer Youth Exchange project, which has brought together youth from across SADC to spend September in Johannesburg. The purpose of the programme is to build the capacity of youth activists and to share creative and strategic approaches to activism. Khan chats to GL about the exchange programme; touches on the importance of South Africa’s voice in the global arena, especially concerning the proposed UN resolution to address discrimination and violence against LGBTI and gender nonconforming people; and he highlights the significance of celebrating our heritage and diversity.

Click here to listen to the interview.

This podcast forms part of a Gender Links News Service special focus on LGBTIAQ rights during Pride month in South Africa, offering fresh views on everyday news.