South African Trans Activist Yaya Mavundla to Host 2024 International Pride Awards

South African transgender activist, artist, and media personality Yaya Mavundla is set to host the inaugural International Pride Awards Ceremony, which will take place in Cape Town during the upcoming ILGA World Conference.

Mavundla rose to mainstream recognition through her role in the reality TV show Becoming and has gained acclaim for her bold, trailblazing initiatives, including launching the clothing line Queer Comfort and hosting prominent exhibitions such as Black, Trans & Bold.

Mavundla expressed her delight at hosting the first International Pride Awards in her home country.

“South Africa has been at the forefront of LGBTIQ+ rights, not just in Africa but around the world,” she said. “At the same time, even with our constitutional protections and legacy of activism, we have much more work to do to achieve equality.”

She continued, “These awards celebrate our progress globally while reminding us of the challenges ahead. I look forward to celebrating our equality heroes who’ve done incredible work and continue to be authentic in all they do, which is what my work is all about.”

The International Pride Awards, launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ILGA World, is a groundbreaking initiative designed to honour the extraordinary contributions of individuals and allies advancing LGBTIQ+ equality across the globe.

In its inaugural year, the awards have already received an overwhelming response, with nominations from 58 countries across all continents.

The organisers believe the awards come at a critical time. “While international law mandates the promotion and protection of the human rights of all people, many LGBTIQ+ individuals continue to face severe discrimination, marginalisation and violence,” they said in a statement.

They noted that in 61 countries, consensual same-sex sexual acts remain criminalised, with the death penalty imposed in some cases. Only a few countries offer constitutional protections for sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics.

The International Pride Awards seek to shine a light on those who are driving change and advancing equality, often at great personal risk. This year’s award categories are:

• Movement building in the face of hostility
• Celebrating diverse lives
• Emerging leader
• Lifelong pursuit of equality
• Extraordinary ally

A committee of highly experienced LGBTIQ+ advocates will select the awardees, who will be honoured at the ceremony on 13 November 2024. The event will celebrate the exceptional efforts of equality champions and serve as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality and the critical need to protect human rights for all.

The awards are a central feature of the 31st ILGA World Conference, hosted by local human rights organisations Iranti and Gender DynamiX, which will take place in Cape Town from 11 to 15 November 2024.

This marks the first time in 25 years that the conference returns to Africa, bringing together LGBTI human rights defenders, policymakers, researchers, journalists, and allies from over 100 countries to address the ongoing global pushback against LGBTIQ+ rights.