Democratic Alliance Rainbow Network - Rustenburg

05/10/2025

South Africa marks October as Pride month 🌈, distinguishing itself by celebrating both international Pride month in June and October, following the inaugural Pride event in Johannesburg in 1991. October features various activities aimed at raising awareness about the community and South Africa's constitution, which safeguards the rights of all citizens. Pretoria Pride and Joburg Pride take place during this month. The DA maintains its support for the community through collaborative efforts in Pride events, protests, and advocacy for individual rights in South Africa.
🇿🇦🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

17/05/2025

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia: DA reaffirms LGBTIQ+ support

May 17th marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia.

As a party for all, we take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the realisation and protection of the rights to self-determination and freedom of expression, irrespective of one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

This day comes at a time when members of the LGBTIQ+ community face increasingly hostile and intolerant treatment, particularly le***an and transgender individuals, who are particularly vulnerable.

On this day, we are reminded of the profound importance of solidarity among the communities of sexual and gender minorities, civil society, and alliances with other vulnerable groups with which we intersect; such as those living in economic hardship, women, children and persons with disabilities.

While our Constitution enshrines these rights, much social change is still necessary to minimise hate crimes, empower the LGBTIQ+ community and to form alliances of hope and support for those who do not conform to majority sexual and gender norms.

03/02/2025

🇿🇦 Apply to be a DA Candidate for the upcoming local government elections. Step up to rescue your town or city: https://candidate-apply.da.org.za

We are looking for skilled South Africans who have an interest in rescuing their communities from mismanagement and decay.

29/01/2025

A crucial update from our spokesperson on the current funding crisis. We look forward to restoring the dignity and life saving medicine to members of our community. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

28/01/2025

*DA calls for immediate reinstatement of PEPFAR Funding*
by _Emma Louise Powell MP - DA Spokesperson on International Relations & Cooperation_

Date: 28 January 2025
Release: Immediate

The Democratic Alliance (DA), as part of South Africa’s Government of National Unity, calls on the United States government to urgently restore PEPFAR funding for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The immediate cessation of PEPFAR funding has resulted in the sudden suspension of critical health support services at NGO’s across the nation, on which millions of vulnerable South Africans rely.

In 2024, South Africa benefited from $453 million in direct funding, with roughly $439 million allocated for 2025. This funding is critical to sustain life-saving treatment for South Africans, as well as support services for babies and orphans.

According to Statistics South Africa, in 2024, the estimated national HIV prevalence rate was 12.7%, with around 8 million people living with the virus. Among adults aged 15–49 years, an estimated 16.7% of the population is HIV positive. Close to 6 million South Africans currently rely on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for survival.

The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) reports that in districts they support, approximately 57% of tuberculosis (TB) patients are also HIV positive, with 90% receiving ART alongside TB treatment.

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has played a transformative role in South Africa’s fight against HIV/AIDS since 2003, saving millions of lives and bolstering the country’s public health infrastructure.

Once the global epicentre of the HIV/AIDS crisis, South Africa has received roughly $8 billion in PEPFAR funding over the past two decades.

By funding global health programmes such PEPFAR, America is made stronger and more resilient to cross-border health threats and the economic and political instability that arises from global health pandemics, which impact US citizens and government workers.

Through the generosity of the American government, millions of lives have been saved, which has contributed significantly towards strengthening our bilateral relationship, building a strong strategic alliance, and shoring up public goodwill.

The DA urges the US government to recognise that every dollar spent on global health initiatives, such as PEPFAR, directly strengthens international security, and bolsters America’s global influence. A sudden cessation of this magnitude may ultimately compromise US national interests in the region.

Given the critical nature of this life saving treatment, both government departments and non-profit organisations dependant on PEPFAR and related USAID funding across South Africa need more time to prepare for any potential phase-out of long-standing HIV/AIDS resourcing.

We call upon the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and relevant policymakers to swiftly reinstate funding whilst a broader programmatic review is underway, and allow the recommencement of life-saving HIV/AIDS care in South Africa.

Millions of lives are at stake.

Ends

24/12/2024

From us to yours and a kind reminder of the resources available should you find this period difficult on your mental health.

30/11/2024

An interesting article from OUT LGBT Well-Being highlights that, despite our Constitution and legislation providing safety, our community remains under siege. The DA Rainbow Network will continue to advocate for a safer South Africa for all South Africans. The importance of providing normalization training to civil servants and public representatives is now more crucial than ever.

An overview of LGBTIQ+ rights violations, hate speech incidents and case updates in South Africa in October 2024, collated by OUT and Mamba.

02/06/2022

Happy pride month 🥳🏳️‍🌈💙💫