South African leadership in human rights has been recognised on one of the world’s biggest stages. Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has been honoured with the Emerging Leader Award at the International Pride Awards during WorldPride Amsterdam 2026.
The award, announced on Wednesday, 5 August 2026, recognises individuals who are “reimagining LGBTIQ+ liberation for a new generation”, according to SAnews.
Global recognition for a lifetime of service
The International Pride Awards are a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ILGA World, celebrating courageous individuals working across the globe to advance equality, freedom and safe spaces for LGBTIQ+ people.
The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities congratulated Letsike, describing the recognition as particularly significant because it acknowledges a leadership journey rooted in decades of activism that now carries into the institutions of democratic governance.
For decades, Letsike has been part of South Africa’s struggle for equality and social justice, advancing the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons while insisting that the fight for equality is inseparable from the broader struggle against poverty and exclusion.
Standing on the shoulders of giants
Accepting the award, Letsike said she received the recognition with profound humility, stressing that the struggle for human dignity has always been a collective effort.
“I stand on the shoulders of generations of activists who fought when it was dangerous to be visible, dangerous to speak and, for many, dangerous simply to exist as themselves. But every generation must define what liberation demands of it,” she said.
“Yet I remain hopeful because I see in this generation the courage, imagination and determination not only to defend the freedoms we have won, but to take the struggle for liberation further than we ever imagined possible.”
A proudly South African milestone
The department noted that the recognition holds particular significance for South Africa, whose Constitution was founded on the principle that no person should face discrimination based on race, sex, gender, sexual orientation or any other characteristic of identity. South Africa’s constitutional protection against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation became an important global milestone — a first that inspired similar protections around the world.
The department said it views the award as a tribute to the collective work of South Africans who continue to turn constitutional promises into lived equality — and as proof that the country’s voice carries far beyond its borders.
From Amsterdam’s canals to the Union Buildings, the message is clear: South African leadership continues to light the way.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
Leave a Reply