Jozi Cats Rugby Club and the SAHRC will be teaming in an exhibition rugby match, as part of the activities planned during human rights month to celebrate human rights and promote the values of the Constitution. The match is intended to raise awareness of inequality on and off the rugby field, educate against homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE) and advocate for acceptance and respect for human rights in general.

In November 2017, with the support of the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), the Commission hosted an in-country meeting with the participation of civil society, other Chapter 9 Institutions, the academia and government, with a specific focus on the promotion, observance and protection of SOGIE rights. This intervention was is directed at securing respect for the cherished right to equality in our country and in the region. The Commission has responded to the need to advance respect for SOGIE rights in recognition that in reality people continue to be subjected to stigmatisation and violence because of their sexual orientation and gender in South Africa, in spite of the fact that the country has very advanced protections for these rights in our law. The Commission, along with Jozi Cats Rugby Club - the first gay and inclusive competitive rugby team in South Africa – will be participating in an exhibition match as part of its advocacy and awareness around the protection, respect and promotion of SOGIE rights emerging out the seminal in-country meeting.

Sport has on many occasions, proven to be a unifier in South Africa. When South Africa achieved the impossible in in 1995, by hosting and winning the first Rugby World Cup it participated in since its isolation from international sporting participation, it took a sport that was largely viewed as the purview of white males and turned it into a focus of national pride and unity.

 “The South African rugby environment can be intimidating and even hostile towards LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) participants. To date, there have been no openly gay rugby players or officials in high level rugby in the country. The participation of Jozi Cats in formal rugby structures can therefore play a role in reducing damaging stereotypes, encouraging greater participation of LGBTI people in rugby and fostering goodwill in the sport which can reduce discrimination in the future,” says Chris Verrijdt, Chairperson of Jozi Cats.

The exhibition match between the SAHRC and Jozi Cats presents an opportunity to challenge deeply embedded associations of rugby with hetero-normativity and masculine aggression.

The Commission welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with a rugby club that provides sportspersons – who are also part of a broader vulnerable group of LGBTI and GNC (Gender Non-conforming) persons – with a safe place to compete. The Commission encourages business, civil society and other formations to embark on creative initiatives to commemorate human rights day so that we consciously take respect for human rights forward during 2018.

Members of the media and the public are invited to participate.  

Date: 21 March 2018
Venue: Diggers Rugby Club, Randburg (58-, 60 Silver Pine Ave, Randburg, 2194)
Time: 07:30AM to 15:00PM  

Ends
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission

Gail Smith – Spokesperson Tel: 060 988 3792 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.