Multi-award-winning transgender activist Yaya Mavundla has been named the host for the first-ever International Pride Awards, set to honor LGBTQ+ trailblazers worldwide. The prestigious event, launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ILGA World, will take place on Wednesday, November 13, in Cape Town.
The awards aim to celebrate and inspire LGBTQ+ heroes who are making strides in equality and inclusion. According to IOL, Mavundla, a prominent LGBTQ+ activist and media personality, expressed her excitement to host the inaugural event in her home country, saying, “South Africa has been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ rights, not just in Africa but around the world. At the same time, even with our constitutional protections and legacy of activism, we have much more work to do to achieve equality.”
The awards have drawn an impressive number of nominations from 58 countries, showcasing individuals and groups from all continents who champion causes such as Movement Building in the Face of Hostility, Celebrating Diverse Lives, and Lifelong Pursuit of Equality. Mavundla added that while the awards are a chance to celebrate progress, they also remind us of the work that remains. “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,” she said.
Mavundla, originally from KwaZulu-Natal, gained recognition through her role in the reality TV series Becoming, where her advocacy for inclusivity within the fashion industry and beyond brought her into the spotlight. Her role as host reinforces her dedication to uplifting voices and advancing representation within the LGBTQ+ community.
The winners will be announced at the Cape Town event, which coincides with the 31st ILGA World Conference, bringing global LGBTQ+ leaders together to celebrate unity and progress.
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Yaya Mavundla to host awards in CPT
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ILGA World (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) have announced that Yaya Mavundla will host the inaugural International Pride Awards ceremony.… pic.twitter.com/W1Rb5n3TCi
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) October 24, 2024
