IDAHOBIT in South Africa
The EU Delegation to South Africa, together with our closest Member State neighbour, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, have embarked on a project to paint the drive-ways of the respective Missions with the Pride rainbow flag as a sign of support to the LGBTQIA+ community in South Africa. Launched for the International Day on Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), such support is a key priority of the Human Rights and Democracy strategy and also of the delegation Strategic Communications plan; upholding and promoting EU values.
The rainbow drive-way, while launched for IDAHOBIT, will be a permanent feature.
To launch this new feature, the EU Delegation and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands hosted a cocktail reception on 16 May at 16h00 on the terrace of the new EU Delegation building together with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including well-known influencer Thami Dish (@Thamidish). A point underlined throughout the event was that the EU Delegation has been and will be a space where LGBTIQA+ people will always feel welcome, safe and protected.
The rainbow driveway will, in line with core EU values, visibly show solidarity and support to a group that still faces discrimination and harassment, and will every day, all year around, remind both staff and visitors that we are truly United in Diversity.