---
title: "'Pride has no Borders'"
description: "The LGBTQIA+ community and supporters took over the streets of Sandton on Saturday to celebrate the annual Johannesburg Pride Parade and Festival."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "CELEBRATION AND STRUGGLE"
author: "Chanel Retief"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/chanel-retief/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-10-27-pride-has-no-borders/"
published: "2019-10-27T16:18:46"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 248
---

# 'Pride has no Borders'

> The LGBTQIA+ community and supporters took over the streets of Sandton on Saturday to celebrate the annual Johannesburg Pride Parade and Festival.

By Chanel Retief · Published 27 October 2019, 18:18 SAST

## Content

This year's theme was "proudly African and authentically you", which spoke to 30 years of pride advocacy in South Africa.

Organisers wanted the cause to go beyond just the borders of South Africa to show support for the cause in some countries in Africa which have not been as accepting.

![Michéle Duncan felt emotional during  Pride 2019 in Sandton  saying that she was “going to cry” at all the love and support being showcased at the parade.  Photo by Chanel Retief.](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/N709x-4Bc-WERSsZJenSLM5eSwE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Pride_Chanel-6.jpg)

*Michéle Duncan said that she was “going to cry” at all the love and support being showcased at Pride 2019 in Sandton. Photo by Chanel Retief.*

![This years theme built on last year’s theme ‘Authentically You’, “we’ve created Pride of Africa as a unified platform and voice for a diverse community,” Johannesburg Pride of Africa said. Photo by Chanel Retief](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/zrHy9V6oggasfVJsN52LtzSjCVo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Pride_Chanel-10.jpg)

*This year's theme built on last year’s theme ‘Authentically You’. "We’ve created Pride of Africa as a unified platform and voice for a diverse community,” said the festival organisers, Johannesburg Pride of Africa. Photo by Chanel Retief.*

![Brooke Lynne Hytes, second place winner on season 11 RuPaul’s Drag Race was also in attendance during the Johannesburg Pride Parade and Festival in Sandton. Photo by Chanel Retief](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Ti1wVTHXrhQZBpAWIoMxBDmnwpE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Pride_Chanel-13.jpg)

*Brooke Lynne Hytes, second place winner on season 11 RuPaul’s Drag Race, attended the Johannesburg Pride Parade and Festival in Sandton. Photo by Chanel Retief*

![Melrose Church attended Pride 2019 to offer love, support and apologies for the way Churches have treated the LGBTIQ+ community. Photo by Chanel Retief](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/M6W916KLGl3654SXBvm1GWF6Co0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Pride_Chanel-5_1.jpg)

*Melrose Church attended Pride 2019 to offer love, support, and apologies for the way Churches have treated the LGBTQIA+ community. Photo by Chanel Retief*

![Many organisations or companies, like representatives from the African National Congress, came in support of the event and took part in the march itself at the Johannesburg Pride and Festival in Sandton. Photo by Chanel Retief](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/nISGha8YlPucH6T7KokUPrdBP9k=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Pride_Chanel-12.jpg)

*The African National Congress was among a number of parties and organisations and companies which came out in support of the Johannesburg Pride and Prade Festival in Sandton. Photo by Chanel Retief*

![Ivan Wessels at Pride 2019 in Sandton showcasing what it means to him to be African and authentic to himself. Photo by Chanel Retief.](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/7fvn4IcE_lOwA6KQAllZDSn5O0A=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Pride_Chanel-2.jpg)

*Ivan Wessels at Pride 2019 in Sandton. Photo by Chanel Retief*

![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Pride_Chanel-8.jpg) The organisers, Johannesburg Pride of Africa, strived to foster a culture of authenticity, acceptance and support. Photo by Chanel Retief

![Radio Personalities Jeremy Mansfeild and Sam Cowan were at Pride 2019 to be “there to hug anyone who wants or needs it.” Photo by Chanel Retief](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/d7FXlwZ0G_f-3W85YML5d6CNZqM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/Pride_Chanel-3.jpg)

*Radio hosts Jeremy Mansfeild and Sam Cowan were at Pride 2019 to "hug anyone who wants or needs it”. Photo by Chanel Retief*