PRESS STATEMENT – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PAN AFRICA ILGA REGISTERED AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION

23 July 2015

Pan Africa ILGA (PAI) is pleased to announce that on 22 July 2015 its application for registration as a Non-Profit Organization, under the South African Non Profit Organizations Act, 1997 (Act 71 of 1997) was approved and granted.

This tremendous gain will benefit Pan Africa ILGA and all its member organizations working to advance the rights of LGBTI people on the African Continent. Organisations working to advance these rights are often denied official registration in their countries. These restrictions limit their abilities to function as legitimate partners in civil society.

“While the law in South Africa allows for registration of organisations working on LGBTI rights, PAI’s registration and the ruling by the High Court of Kenya allowing for the registration of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission are examples of Africa’s recognition of every minority in the region.” Said Anthony  Oluoch, Secretary to the Board of PAI.

We call on other African governments to follow in these footsteps and allow groups and organizations working to advance the rights of minority groups to be registered as well as the excellent example set by the government of Mozambique, which has just recently decriminalised homosexuality in the country.

PAI, through its board and staff commend the South African government for granting this registration and for recognising that the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly are the cornerstone of LGBTI organizing and advocacy.

PAI will operate from Braamfontein, Johannesburg from 1^st August 2015. This registration status comes at the right time as it will ensure an enabling environment for effective regional advocacy on the continent.

For further enquiries please contact PAI secretariat in Johannesburg :

282 Jan Smits Avenue, Dunkeld West, Johannesburg, South Africa. P.O.Box 2629 Saxonwold, 2131.
NPO Number: 155-669

Jacobus Witbooi, Tel: +27721968743, email: [email protected] ,
twitter: @jacobuswitbooi or
PAI board: Monica Tabengwa, Tel +2677137973 (Botswana) +27736553686     email: [email protected] , twitter: @tabengm