MambaOnline.Com

Beyond Visibility: Why LGBTI Entrepreneurs Are Still Locked Out of South Africa’s Economy - MambaOnline - LGBTQ South Africa online Visibility isn’t enough. LGBTI entrepreneurs in South Africa need greater economic inclusion, funding and procurement opportunities.

Legal equality doesn’t guarantee economic opportunity. Here's why many LGBTI-owned businesses and entrepreneurs are still invisible in South Africa’s economy. www.mambaonline.com/2026/03/11/b...

Almost Half of South Africans Believe Homosexuality Is Morally Wrong An international survey reveals that 49% of South Africans believe homosexuality is morally wrong, highlighting persistent anti-gay attitudes.

📊 Almost half of South Africans say homosexuality is morally wrong. A new global survey reveals persistent anti-gay attitudes in the country despite progressive LGBTQ+ laws. Read the findings 👇🏿 www.mambaonline.com/2026/03/09/a...

Dope Saint Jude on her New Album, and the Music Industry in 2026 Cape Town rapper Dope Saint Jude discusses her new album I Said What I Said, queer community and the evolving global music industry.

Cape Town rapper and singer-songwriter Dope Saint Jude speaks to MambaOnline about her new album "I Said What I Said", queer community, creative inspiration and the evolving global music industry. www.mambaonline.com/2026/03/06/d...

CrossFit Quietly Eases Some Rules on Trans Athletes After Backlash CrossFit revises its transgender athlete policy after criticism, allowing participation in the Open category of the annual CrossFit Games.

🏋️‍♂️ CrossFit has quietly changed some of its rules on trans athletes. After backlash over its restrictive 2025 policy, the fitness giant now allows transgender competitors in the CrossFit Games Open. But critics say more is needed. www.mambaonline.com/2026/03/07/c...

Botswana Same-Sex Couple Fights for Right to Marry in Historic Court Case A Botswana same-sex couple has launched a landmark court case challenging the country’s Marriage Act in a fight for marriage equality.

“Let us live our lives, let us marry.” A same-sex couple is challenging the country’s Marriage Act in court — while religious groups push back. Read about the landmark case. www.mambaonline.com/2026/03/07/b...

Cape Town Crowned World’s Best LGBTQ+ City Destination at Global Travel Awards Cape Town wins Best LGBTQ+ City Destination at the 2026 Spartacus Travel Awards, cementing its reputation as a top queer travel hotspot.

🌈 Cape Town just scored an international win! The Mother City has been named Best LGBTQ+ City Destination at the Spartacus Travel Awards in Berlin. Read more 👇

Zanele Muholi Wins ‘Nobel Prize of Photography’ in Global Recognition of Queer Visual Activism Global honour for South African queer photographer Zanele Muholi, winner of the 2026 Hasselblad Award for their powerful visual activism.

Global recognition for a South African queer icon. Artist and activist Zanele Muholi is named the recipient of the 2026 Hasselblad Award — the world’s most prestigious photography prize. www.mambaonline.com/2026/03/06/z...

“I Don’t Have Regrets”: Ilano Sky on Being Big Brother Mzansi’s First Trans Housemate Ilano Sky opens up to MambaOnline on becoming Big Brother Mzansi’s first trans housemate, LGBTQ+ representation and her plans for the future.

Exclusive interview! 🏳️‍⚧️ Following her eviction, Ilano Sky opens up to MambaOnline on becoming Big Brother Mzansi’s first trans housemate, the power of visibility and her plans for the future. Read and watch here. 👇🏿 www.mambaonline.com/2026/03/03/i...

Cape Town Pride 2026: Protest, Pride, and Celebration in the Mother City Cape Town Pride 2026 combined celebration and protest, as activists highlighted hate crimes, religious inclusion and the N2 wall.

From remembrance to resistance, Saturday's Cape Town Pride Parade and Mardi Gras honoured lives lost while celebrating queer joy. Here's our overview of the day. www.mambaonline.com/2026/03/03/c...

NWU Pride Flag Vandalised Again as Alleged Perpetrator Is Apprehended North-West University Pride mural defaced for the third time with Nazi slogans. Alleged perpetrator apprehended after the homophobic attack.

BREAKING! 🚨 Another attack on the NWU Pride rainbow wall, this time with spray-painted Nazi slogans and symbols. But, finally, an alleged perpetrator has been apprehended. Read the full story 👇🏿

In Pictures: Cape Town Pride Parade 2026 – Colour, Purpose, and Power The Cape Town Pride Parade 2026 united celebration and protest while honouring queer lives lost. View the exclusive photos!

🏳️‍🌈 From rainbow flags to calls for justice, the 2026 Cape Town Pride Parade blended celebration with purpose. 🏳️‍⚧️ View our exclusive photo gallery here 👇 www.mambaonline.com/2026/03/02/i...

Queer Stories Take Centre Frame at the Joburg Film Festival 2026 The 2026 Joburg Film Festival is screening three standout queer films that offer distinct, powerful explorations of love, risk, and belonging.

The 2026 Joburg Film Festival is screening three standout queer films that offer distinct, powerful explorations of love, risk, and belonging. And you can WIN tickets! www.mambaonline.com/2026/03/01/q...

Ghana Set to Host Controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ 'Family Values' Summit Ghana will host a major African anti-LGBTQ "family values" conference in 2026 — and rights groups are raising the alarm.

Ghana will host a major African anti-LGBTQ "family values" parliamentary conference in May with the backing of Ugandan MPs — and rights groups are raising the alarm. Here’s what you need to know 👇🏿 www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/28/g...

US: Transgender People in Kansas Cruelly Stripped of Identity Documents Overnight Kansas revokes transgender residents' driver's licenses and identity documents, putting them at risk of being penalised for using them.

A new flashpoint in the war on trans rights in the US: The state of Kansas has revoked the driver's licenses and identity documents of its trans residents, leaving them at risk of being fined or jailed. www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/27/u...

Queer Activists Rally Against City's R114M N2 Wall ahead of Cape Town Pride Queer activists plan a protest at Cape Town Pride against the City's R114M N2 wall, calling it segregation and pinkwashing.

A group of queer activists plan to protest the City of Cape Town’s controversial R114M N2 wall at Cape Town Pride, amid accusations of the wall perpetuating inequality. www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/25/q...

Write the Next 25: MambaOnline Calls on You to Help Secure its Future For 25 years, MambaOnline has amplified LGBTQ+ voices. Now it asks the community to help secure independent queer journalism.

For 25 years, MambaOnline has told the stories others wouldn’t. Now we need YOU to help secure the future of independent queer media in South Africa. Find out more here. 👇🏿 www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/25/w...

Cape Town Pride Parade and Mardi Gras Set to Paint the Mother City Pink As Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis shows support for the Cape Town Pride Parade and Mardi Gras, organisers are preparing to paint the city pink.

Cape Town Pride Day 2026, on Sat 28 Feb, is almost here! 🌈 From the powerful Pride Parade in Green Point to the festive Mardi Gras line-up — here’s everything you need to know. Read more. 👇🏿 www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/24/c...

Uganda: Two Women Face Life in Prison After Kissing in Public Two women in Uganda face life imprisonment after arrest under the Anti-Homosexuality Act for allegedly kissing in public.

Life in prison for a kiss? Two women in Uganda have been arrested under the country’s draconian Anti-Homosexuality Act and could face life imprisonment. Read the full story 👇 www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/24/u...

South Africa LGBTIQ+ Rights Watch: January 2026 An overview of LGBTIQ+ rights violations, hate speech incidents and updates in South Africa in January 2026, compiled by MambaOnline.

🚨 January 2026’s LGBTIQ+ Rights Watch is out 🚨 Every month, we track LGBTIQ+ rights violations in South Africa. January saw hate speech incidents, delays in justice and the shocking humiliation of a queer child in church. Read the report here ⬇️ www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/24/s...

Remembering Muhsin Hendricks: A Legacy of Faith, Courage and Boundless Welcome A year after his murder, gay Cape Town imam Muhsin Hendricks is remembered as a courageous and trailblazing advocate for Islamic inclusion.

He believed faith should welcome — not exclude. A year after his shocking and still-unsolved murder, we remember Muhsin Hendricks and his legacy of queer-inclusive Islam. www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/19/r...

Historic Moment as Rob Jetten Sworn In as Netherlands’ First Gay Prime Minister Rob Jetten becomes the Netherlands’ first openly gay Prime Minister, marking a landmark moment for LGBTQ representation in Europe.

History is made in the Netherlands as Rob Jetten becomes the country’s first openly gay Prime Minister. It marks another powerful moment for LGBTQ+ representation in Europe and world politics. www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/23/h...

HIV Made Him Expect to Die at 40. At 73, Edwin Cameron Asks: Who’s Planning for Our Ageing Survivors? Queer icon Edwin Cameron reflects on surviving HIV, ageing with ARVs, and why South Africa must plan for older HIV survivors.

"You faced a certain death.” Now, at 73, former Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron reflects on surviving HIV and confronting ageing, stigma and funding threats.  www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/21/h...

Trump Administration Sued After Pride Flag Pulled from Stonewall Monument LGBTQ advocates sue the Trump Administration over the removal of the Pride flag from Stonewall National Monument in New York.

Can the Trump Administration remove the Pride rainbow flag from the Stonewall Monument in New York City? A new lawsuit is now challenging that decision. Here’s what you need to know.
www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/21/t...

Senegal: Human Rights Groups Slam Anti-LGBTQ Crackdown as Harsher Penalties Planned Human rights groups condemn Senegal’s arrest of 12 people for same-sex intimacy as lawmakers plan harsher anti-LGBTQ penalties.

Senegal has arrested 12 people — including well-known public figures — for allegedly engaging in same-sex intimacy. Now, lawmakers are planning to implement even harsher penalties against LGBTQ+ people.

Anger as NPA Refuses to Prosecute Ngizwe Mchunu LGBTQIA+ Hate Case LGBTQ+ groups condemn the NPA’s decision to drop criminal charges against Ngizwe Mchunu over alleged anti-LGBTQ hate speech and incitement.

Has the NPA failed South Africa's LGBTQ+ community? Prosecutors have closed the hate speech and incitement criminal case against Ngizwe Mchunu — but activists aren’t backing down. www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/20/a...

European Parliament Calls for Full Recognition of Transgender Women European Parliament backs inclusion of transgender women in global gender policies, urging full recognition, protection, and equal access.

The European Parliament has taken a stand — calling for the full recognition of transgender women as women at the UN. Here’s why it matters. 🌍🏳️‍⚧️ www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/19/e...

MambaOnline Celebrates 25 Years of Amplifying LGBTIQA+ Voices in South Africa South Africa’s leading LGBTIQA+ news platform MambaOnline is celebrating 25 years of queer storytelling, activism and community impact.

🏳️‍🌈 25 years. Countless stories. A diverse community. MambaOnline, South Africa’s leading LGBTIQA+ news platform, is celebrating a quarter century of queer storytelling, activism and community impact. 🎉 Read more below! www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/19/m...

Ghana Lawmakers Push Forward Extreme Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill Once Again Extreme anti-LGBTQ+ bill returns to Parliament in Ghana, aiming to criminalise identity, allies and gender-affirming healthcare.

🚨 Lawmakers in Ghana reintroduce one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ+ bills in Parliament — targeting queer identity, advocacy and healthcare. Here’s what it means. www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/18/g...

School Uniform Storm: Alleged Humiliation of LGBTQ+ Learners at Benoni High School A storm is gathering around a school in Benoni amid allegations that eight LGBTQ+ learners were humiliated over their school uniforms.

A storm is gathering around a high school in Benoni following allegations that eight LGBTQ+ learners were publicly humiliated and retraumatised by the principal over their school uniforms and gender expression. www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/18/s...

From puberty blockers to constitutional rights, trans medical experts have pushed back against opposition to gender-affirming care for trans youth in South Africa. Here's what they had to say! www.mambaonline.com/2026/02/17/t...