Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Helshoogte men’s residence recently hosted its first official pride event in order to promote inclusivity in the residence as well as the greater Stellenbosch community.
This is according to Christo Kruger, Helshoogte’s strategic initiatives house committee member and organiser of the event.
The pride picnic took place at the residence on 28 July, and members of the residence, as well as their guests, were welcome to attend, said Kruger.
A pride picnic was recently held at Stellenbosch University’s Helshoogte men’s residence with the aim of promoting inclusivity and celebrating queer residents. This is according to Christo Kruger, Helshoogte house committee member and event organiser. “Finally, an event in Helshoogte that allowed us to celebrate our queerness,” said Shane Papier, a Helshoogte resident, who is pictured above alongside former Helshoogte resident Ashley Harmse, at the picnic. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
“We [at] Helshoogte pride ourselves in being as inclusive as possible and this is a way in which we show that,” said Kruger. “By proving to our members that [we] not only see them, but strive to celebrate them, we hope to create a greater sense of belonging than we’ve already been creating.”
Picnicking with pride
“I believe that a safe-picnic is a good starting point in prompting queer inclusivity on a residential leadership level,” said Alex Vink, head of SU’s student representative council’s Womxn and Queer Empowerment portfolio.
The informal setting allowed for queer individuals, both within and outside the residence, to come together, Vink explained to MatieMedia via written correspondence. “It can be beneficial for queer bodies to increase their visibility [and] comfortability, and to amplify their voices in the residence space,” he said.
The event gave queer members of the residence an opportunity to finally “celebrate [their] queerness”, said Shane Papier, event attendee and Helshoogte resident.
Stellenbosch University’s Helshoogte men’s residence recently hosted its first pride event. The pride picnic was hosted with the aim of shedding light on the similarities between queer and non-queer individuals, said Christo Kruger, Helshoogte house committee member and event organiser. The event was open to Helshoogte residents and their guests. Shane Papier (right), a queer Helshoogte resident, was in attendance with friend and ally Hannah Hope (left). PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
Inclusivity increased
The pride picnic was also held with the intention of breaking down “pre-instilled ideas in individuals who may not be as accepting”, according to Kruger.
Through the event, Kruger hoped to demonstrate that members of the queer community are no different from those who do not form part of the community, he said.
A pride picnic was recently hosted at Stellenbosch University’s Helshoogte men’s residence. This was the first pride event in the residence’s history, and it comes after the residence first raised the pride flag in June, during Pride month. This is according to Tiaan Booyens, who performed the welcoming duties at the picnic and distributed posters ahead of the event. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
Vink commended the residence for hosting the event, and hopes to see a sustained effort to promote queer inclusion throughout the year, he stated.
“I believe in the past two years we’ve seen a significant increase in queer inclusion on campus, specifically in residential spaces,” said Vink. “However, although they are attempting to promote queer inclusivity in their various communities, many of them confine their queer inclusion to June Pride month.”
This is unfortunate, he said, as queer issues and struggles aren’t confined to one month.
“Queer bodies’ struggles and fights are our fights, and should be prominent throughout the year,” he said.