Reverend Oscar Bougardt Calls for 'LGBQI+ Free' Cape Town Ahead of Local Elections

• Controversial cleric Reverend Oscar Bougardt published a Facebook post promoting an 'LGBQI+ free' Cape Town under the banner of the Straight Party
• Bougardt proposed scrapping all municipal funding for World Pride 2028, which Cape Town is set to host as the first African city
• The SA Human Rights Commission confirmed it was collating information on complaints filed against Bougardt over the post

WESTERN CAPE — Controversial cleric Reverend Oscar Bougardt has used a Facebook post to advocate for an "LGBQI+ free" Cape Town, urging residents to support him as mayor in the local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.

According to IOL, the post was published under the banner of the Straight Party and outlined several municipal proposals, including the immediate withdrawal of all city funding allocated to World Pride 2028. Bougardt said the redirected money should instead go towards healthcare, law enforcement and housing.

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Cape Town's World Pride 2028 to be challenged

Cape Town secured the bid to host World Pride 2028 in November 2024, making it the first African city to be awarded the event. Bougardt's proposal to defund it forms the centrepiece of his stated political platform.

Despite the apparent campaign tone of the post, Bougardt told IOL he is not a registered candidate and that his message was intended to illustrate what he would do if he held office. He also pledged to oppose any use of municipal funds for advocacy initiatives and promised to reduce water and electricity charges for residents.

Court order and Human Rights Commission inquiry

The post has raised legal questions given Bougardt's history with the courts. On 10 August 2023, the Western Cape Equality Court handed him a nine-month suspended prison sentence and prohibited him from publishing statements relating to sexual orientation on social media until 2028.

Bougardt rejected suggestions that the Facebook post constituted a breach of that order, arguing that he was exercising his right to express a political opinion. The South African Human Rights Commission has taken note of the matter. Spokesperson Tammy Carter confirmed the commission was collating information regarding complaints received about Bougardt in connection with the post.

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View the post on Facebook here:

Sale of Good Hope Centre sparks debate

In a related article, Briefly News reported on the public debate sparked by Brother Bash's video questioning Cape Town's decision to sell the Good Hope Centre. This iconic venue has evoked strong feelings among locals, who propose various ideas for its future that reflect the city's rich cultural heritage.

Source: Briefly News