AFRIKANER YOUTH GROUP SHAME PINK FESTIVAL

Staring at me from my inbox was a message from GLAAD about an Afrikaans group known as the Pretoria Verkenners Jeug, or PVJ. I was notified that the group was opposing the use of the historic Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria as an acceptable venue to host of the Pink Jacaranda music festival, which took place over the weekend.

Furthermore, the group said that it was also offended that proceeds from ticket sales would support “Up and Out”, a gay student organization at the University of Pretoria.

In a letter from PVJ to the Voortrekker Monument CEO Gert Opperman, the youth group’s spokesperson Ruan Combrink said that their organization viewed Pink Jacaranda as a shame on the name of the Voortrekker Monument’s management and that it was not appropriate to hold a pink event at the Afrikaans landmark.

“It’s time the management accepts its responsibility towards the Afrikaner people, [and] protects and builds Christianity and the Afrikaner culture,” said Combrink.

On its website, PVJ stated that "The grounds of our forefathers are being misused to fund 'Sodom and Gomorrah', describing the event as "mocking and disrespecting our heritage".

I was disgusted and appalled that this type of behavior was entertainment let alone the fact that I thought it was more disrespectable to the thousands of gay and lesbian Afrikaaners. I decided to call up Fulvio De Stefanis, Pink Jacaranda event organizer who told me that,

“the people we are dealing with are a minority of a minority. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and there is no problem with them voicing it. What’s sad is that this is coming from a youth group that should be more in line with the current democracy rather than the antiquated ways of old world beliefs. They are not in line with the beautiful fabric of our constitution.”

He added that Monument management were still very supportive of the event, which by the way was highly successful.

As a visitor to the event, I was really impressed by the numbers and particularly by the strong Afrikaans support, which clearly contradicted what the PVJ had said and was more of a slap straight up the head to them. From my spot on the grounds, I estimated 90% of festival-goers were Afrikaans and every one of them looked as though they were having a really good time …even those day visitors to the Monument who wondered into the festival by chance ended up joining the queers for a great day.

We sang along with Karen Zoid and danced with Eden, laughed with Marc Lottering and cheered when Elzabé Zietsman entered. All Afrikaans. All showing their true colours. Pink.

I really applaud the Pink Jacaranda for making good use of the Monument. It’s been used as a symbol of how far we’ve come many times. Never more appropriate than over the weekend.

After hearing about the stink the youth group created, I feel that the only shame on the Afrikaaner name is that PVJ used their heritage as a reason to speak on behalf of all Afrikaans people. Surely they have more important issues to be concerned with.

Perhaps the PVJ should reevaluate their heritage, maybe they should take Fulvio’s advice to get with our current democracy and be more open-minded. Sadly I think our country will move boldly forward without the immature youth group.

ABOUT NATASHA QUINN
Natasha is the Administrator and Treasure for Joburg Pride. She is a self-identified femme, into and interested in the butch/femme dynamic, gay rights, equality and lesbian interests and well being.