LGBTQI+ group says funding shortages are slowing education campaigns

Activist Hlengiwe Buthelezisaid limited educational resources on LGBTQI+ issues are contributing to the persistence of violence and discrimination. The organisation said financial constraints have made it difficult to maintain community outreach programmes and awareness initiatives at the same pace as before. “Limited financial resources have made it difficult to continue community outreach programmes and awareness initiatives at the same pace,” the group said.

The call for increased support comes amid ongoing incidents of violence affecting members of the LGBTQI+ community. Last year, 34-year-old Delisiwe Msomi was found murdered in the Harry Gwala District Municipality. Authorities said investigations were ongoing to determine whether the killing was motivated by hate.

Another high-profile case was the 2020 murder of LGBTQI+ activistLindokuhle Celein Umlazi, which was widely believed to have been motivated by homophobia. However, reduced funding has forced the group to scale back some of its planned activities. “We want to continue educating communities and creating safe spaces, but without adequate funding it becomes challenging to reach as many people as we would like,” a representative said.