The South Africa Pride Ball

The Royal House of La'Beija RSA x Edition Events presents: THE SOUTH AFRICA PRIDE BALL.

Our first Pride march was on 13 October 1990; 36 years later, we're taking the march to the Runway! Join us for a night of remembrance as we honour, commemorate, and celebrate some of the many South African Queer Icons and Activists who have helped shape a country with some of the most progressive rights for queer people in the world.

The Runway will become a megaphone, and we will loudly proclaim that we are still here and we are still fighting. Are you ready to march your way to that grand prize?

Function starts promptly at 21:30. Don't be late, or you will miss your category.

Category description:

BEST DRESSED: GRANNY LEE

Granny Lee was the outrageous disco dancing denizen of 1980s Johannesburg, known for her colorful self-made outfits, sharp tongue, and daring moves. A dreamer and a survivor, she often created elaborate mythologies about herself, teaching the youths she mothered to be curious creators of their own magical realities.

In honour of Granny Lee, serve self-made clubkid to turn heads on the dancefloor the way she always did.

• Male Figure
• Female Figure
• GNC

RUNWAY WITH A PROP: SIMON NKOLI

A founder of the Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand (GLOW), Simon co-organised South Africa’s first ever Pride march in 1990 and campaigned for the inclusion of sexual-orientation protections in the country’s new Constitution. As he put it, “I am black and I am gay. I cannot separate the two into secondary or primary struggles.” He was also one of the first Black South Africans to publicly disclose his HIV-positive status, challenging the stigma and advocating for greater access to information and care.

In honour of Simon, serve us runway with a protest poster prop delivering a strong message that makes it clear why we still need pride today.

• European Runway
• American Runway

SEX SIREN: SALLY GROSS

Sally Gross was an intersex activist, former clergyman and political refugee who became one of the country's pioneering advocates for intersex rights. After confronting the discrimination she faced around her own intersex identity, she campaigned against non-consensual “corrective” surgery on intersex children and founded Intersex South Africa in 2010. She also fought apartheid and was a member of the ANC, making her life a remarkable intersection of intersex rights, faith and political resistance.

In honour of Sally, serve us a seductive sex siren reclaiming the right to bodily autonomy, self-determination, and pleasure.

• Male Figure
• Female Figure
• Chaos Kitten

PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES: KIRVAN FORTUIN

Kirvan was a trained dancer, choreographer, activist, and ballroom pioneer. In 2017, Kirvan founded the House of LeCap, South Africa’s first ballroom house and created the African performance category, stamping our unique African dance style on the global ballroom map.

In honour of Kirvan and his immense love for Dance. Serve us a dance-style-inspired look for your performance category.

• African performance
• Old Way Performance
• Vogue Femme Performance

COMM VS COMM OTA: EUDY SIMELANE

Eudy Simelane was a lesbian activist and midfielder for our national women’s soccer team, Banyana Banyana. One of the first women to live openly as a lesbian in KwaThema, she used her visibility as a local football star to foster a more LGBTQI+-friendly culture in her community. Her courage and activism established her as an important LGBTQI+ icon.

In honour of Eudy, commentate about how ballroom is our extreme sport!

REALNESS: LEIGH DAVIDS

Leigh Davids was a sex worker and activist who fought for the rights, dignity and visibility of trans women in South Africa’s sex-work community. A founding member of SistaazHood, she advocated for the decriminalisation of sex work and challenged the exclusion of poor, homeless and working-class trans women from mainstream queer activism.

In honour of Leigh, serve us sex work realness, ladies of the night and rent boys to the front!

• Trans Man Realness serving rent boy
• Femme Queen Realness serving lady of the night

WHAT IS BALLROOM?

Ballroom (or “Ball”) culture began as an underground LGBTQ+ subculture, born from the resilience and brilliance of Black and Latinx queer communities in 1980s New York. Over time, it has evolved into a global movement, celebrating identity, expression, and artistry through dance, fashion, and performance. At balls, participants "walk" (compete) in different categories for prizes, trophies, and respect.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Our doors are open to everyone: Queer people, women, femme-presenting individuals, and our straight allies. Whether you want to walk a category, cheer from the sidelines, or dance the night away at the afterparty, you are welcome.

The Royal House of Labeija – South African Chapter Est. 2023

Debuting in 2023, the South African Chapter of the legendary Royal House of Labeija was founded under the visionary leadership of Mother Ambi Labeija and Father Ray Labeija. With house members Gabe Labeija and Sara Labeija, the chapter continues the rich legacy of one of ballroom culture’s most iconic houses.

Guided by a powerful vision, the South African chapter seeks to build a positive and inclusive space for individuals from all walks of life. Both within and beyond the ballroom scene, the house fosters a supportive environment for self-expression, creative exploration, and community connection. Their aim is to elevate the local ballroom scene to global standards, positioning South Africa as a vibrant hub of ballroom excellence.

This local mission is deeply rooted in the broader vision of the Overall Royal House of Labeija: to plant seeds that grow and flourish, allowing the legacy to be passed forward to future generations in a way that transcends a single lifetime.

Edition Events has been championing safe, inclusive, and vibrant spaces in Cape Town since 2021 and continues to uplift queer and minority communities through powerful experiences and collaborations with local artists.

RIGHT OF ADMISSION RESERVED

This is a private event. Entry is at your own risk. The organisers are not liable for any loss, injury or damage to persons or property.

STRICTLY NO:

1. Weapons
2. Outside Alcohol

Security reserves the right to search bags.

By entering this venue, you consent to being filmed and photographed. Images and video may be used for promotional purposes.

For any questions or accessibility needs, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram: @edition_events @houseoflabeija_rsa