Dust off your rainbow-coloured flags and sparkly costumes because Pride Month is ending with a bang! After a two-year hiatus, the event century, Cape Town Pride, is back after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The last Pride parade was held in 2020, sneaking in by the feather of a boa just before the global Covid-19 lockdown, which left people isolated and, in many cases, losing their jobs and income. 

The parade is set to add a little sparkle to the Mother City and take over the streets as the march begins at 12:00pm today, with various streets throughout the CBD closed due to the event.

While tickets for the Green Point Track Park events have already sold out, don’t fret because the fabulous floats and parade are open to all curious onlookers.

According to The City of Cape Town, it has done its utmost to cultivate a LGBTQIA+ friendly city, however, it believes that there’s still plenty of work to be done.

Saturday’s walk and entertainment were preceded by a series of socials such as a roller-skating night, hikes, a poetry evening, and a film festival. In March, celebrations will continue with Pride Proms for a night of musical enjoyment with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra.

The City of Cape Town said it was all geared up for the event between De Waterkant and the Green Point A-Track. 

It is expecting about 2 000 people to attend, starting in De Waterkant. 

There will be rolling road closures between 12:00 and 14:00 along Somerset Road as the crowd makes its way to the A-Track.

For the afterparty (tickets also required) road closures will already be in place between Wale and Orange streets for the Long Street Food Truck & Craft Beer Market from 13:00 to 04:00 on Sunday. 

The speaker of the Western Cape legislature wished everyone a “happy Pride weekend”. 

“South Africa is a global leader when it comes to the protection of the rights of its citizens, including the rights of people of all sexual orientations,” said in his message of support. 

“We need to work tirelessly and selflessly to guard jealously against any form of prejudice. We must leave behind a society that is much better than the one we found,” he said. 

The Pride celebrations began last week Saturday with the crowning of Mr and Miss Cape Town Pride. To round things off, Thursday the Cape Town Pride Festival hosted the Hero’s Awards and Charity Auction for the benefit of the Nkoli House Project – a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.