Centre for Black Thought and African Studies

On the 15th July 2026 the Centre, in collaboration with Uthingo Network The Other Foundation hosted a research reveal of the South African National Attitudinal Survey 2026. The research, conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council in conjunction with The Other Foundation and titled "Admission Reserved", explores how attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ people in South Africa have shifted over the past decade.

The research reveal gathered under the theme "THE HOME FRONT: HOW FAMILIES AND RELIGION SHAPE ATTITUDES TOWARDS LGBTQIA+ PEOPLE IN SOUTH AFRICA." The report shows that, despite persistent prejudice and stigma, LGBTI people are woven into the fabric of South African society: as family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. Yet change remains uneven, especially in the everyday spaces where attitudes are formed and lived. The door to equality and freedom has opened, but admission is still too often reserved.

You can access the research report here: https://theotherfoundation.org/admission-reserved/

The Other Foundation , in partnership with the Human Sciences Research Council, has commissioned a new South African National Attitudinal Survey on public attitudes towards LGBTI people. The study updates and expands on the landmark Progressive Prudes report, published ten years ago, and provides new evidence on how attitudes towards le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender-diverse and intersex people have changed in South Africa.

The Centre, in partnership with the Uthingo Network and the Other Foundation will be hosting a dissemination of the report on 15 July 2026, Wednesday, under the theme:

The Home Front: How Families and Religion Shape Attitudes Towards LGBTI People in South Africa

This event will focus on the role of families, faith communities and local social networks in shaping acceptance, resistance and support for LGBTI people. It will explore how the survey findings can inform more constructive engagement with religious leaders, families and communities, particularly in contexts where constitutional commitments to equality coexist with conservative social and moral attitudes.

Scan the QR Code to register to attend the event

The Centre for Black Thought and African Studies invites you to join the 2026 edition of the Rev. Simon Gqubule Memorial Lecture delivered by Prof. Barney Bityana. This year's theme for the lecture is "Black Theology at Crossroads: Prospects for Church and Society" and will be delivered by the esteemed Prof Barney Pityana, Black Theology activist and former director of the World Council of Churches Programme to Combat Racism.

You can register for the lecture on the link below

39bd4fd7-5b6b-44c9-9955-e0e3fc482548@f62c6d99-6057-44e2-b32e-75df9795ea6a" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/39bd4fd7-5b6b-44c9-9955-e0e3fc482548@f62c6d99-6057-44e2-b32e-75df9795ea6a

JOB ADVERT!!!

The Centre is looking for an administrative assistant. Send applications to [email protected]

Yesterday, we were invited by the CRL Rights Commission to attend a GBVF meeting, where they explained the purpose of Section 22, when it began, and the support it has received from various Christian leaders and other faith communities.

The Chairperson, Ms Thoko Xaluva, clarified that the information circulating on social media does not accurately reflect what is happening. The CRL’s mandate is not to control religious institutions, churches, or Ndumba’s, but rather to protect communities.

Sadly, sacred spaces have increasingly become places where crimes related to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) are committed. Many Christians, traditional healers, and faith leaders understand that the CRL’s work is aimed at ensuring the safety of our people.

Yesterday, we engaged with various organisations, survivors, and activists, and we have learned that this initiative is not an attack on churches or any religious practice. Instead, it is about creating safer environments for our beloved citizens.

The CRL is preparing to conduct inclusive national consultations with communities, victims, and activists across the country. This process will involve all sectors and religions, and it is intended to strengthen safety and accountability, not to target any faith.

Public education is essential, as communities must be warned about abusers who misuse sacred spaces or positions of trust.

We also acknowledge that not only women and children are affected, but that young men and men are also abused in the process.

This protection will apply to all religious sectors, including African Traditional Religion. Traditional healers have welcomed this initiative, as it will also help protect them from abuse by patients and others.

We thank the CRL for this engagement and for prioritising the safety and dignity of our communities.

Agenda Feminist Media [www.agenda.org.za] Side by Side: Faith Movement for Gender Justice South African Council of Churches The Methodist Church of Southern Africa Ikhwelohealers Sonke Gender Justice HOPE Africa Phephisa Survivors' Network

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸? 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁.

There has been much controversy and backlash to the CRL Rights Commission and the Section 22 Committee, with many 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 and others objecting to the Committee’s gender imbalance among other things. We believe there must be a way of finding common ground. We understand the importance of faith sector accountability and support the CRL’s initiatives, but we also understand many of the objections, which must be considered for effective implementation.

We hope that our Open Letter to the CRL and the Committee on the link below offers a constructive way to engage and we are pleased that many partners have begun to endorse it. It is our hope and prayer that together the Christian Church in all its diversity will find ways to work together with the Committee. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺𝘀, so we can be true to our calling to bring healing and wholeness.

𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲?
https://www.wwsosa.org.za/open-letter-to-the-chair-of.../

Agenda Feminist Media [www.agenda.org.za] HOPE Africa South African Council of Churches Ikhwelohealers KwaZulu-Natal Inter Religious Council (KZN IRC) Faith Action to end Gender-Based Violence Kwanele Foundation Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians: UWC Womxn with Vision of South Africa Centre for Black Thought and African Studies Sonke Gender Justice