KwaThema and Khayelitsha to screen South African premieres of award-winning documentary exposing hate crimes against lesbian women

On the fourth anniversary of the killing of lesbian activist Noxolo Nogwaza, Amnesty International and Backstory Productions will screen a documentary highlighting the struggle against homophobia in South Africa.

African Pride explores how South Africans are countering homophobic violence and hate crimes with township Prides and protests.

Amnesty International has been calling for the introduction of hate crime legislation in South Africa to bring to justice perpetrators of homophobic and transphobic violence.

African Pride introduces us to the mourners, survivors, families and friends who take to the streets to demand justice for those lost, equality for the living and for their own human right to live peacefully in their communities

Laura Fletcher, director of African Pride and owner of Backstory Productions

The award-winning documentary was filmed in townships across South Africa and features KwaThema in Gauteng and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape. KwaThema is the birthplace of Noxolo Nogwaza, a 24-year-old lesbian mother of two and activist, whose 2011 murder has not been solved.

The documentary highlights the ongoing violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals in South Africa’s townships.

This first public screening of the film in South Africa takes place on 24 April, the anniversary of Noxolo Nogwaza’s death. Four years on, the police investigation into her murder has made no progress.

Amnesty International, as part of the Hate Crimes Working Group, a network of civil society organisations, has been lobbying the South African government to implement hate crimes legislation that would ensure police can more effectively investigate such crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.

Amnesty International is proud to be associated with this powerful film emphasizing the human cost of hate crimes, and demonstrating the need for these crimes to be promptly and thoroughly investigated. This is a film that inspires people to take action and is a must-watch for everyone who wants to see justice for hate crimes in South Africa

Muleya Mwanayanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Campaigns in the Southern Africa region

The screenings will be attended by those whose stories are captured in African Pride and whose activism forms the basis of this poignant and powerful documentary.

African Pride is a South African story which deals with issues that resonate across the globe. It’s the story of discrimination, resilience, love and loss, but more than that, it is the story of those who will not be silenced – those who refuse to give up,” said Laura Fletcher.