BIGGER IS BETTER!
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eing the largest dealership in the Cape metropol, our stock holding allows us the opportunity to offer a wider range of colour and specification on new cars and a significant and varied amount of pre-owned and demonstrator cars. What’s new? VW have just launched the latest generation Polo, the top selling compact hatch in the country since 2010! Those with an eye for detail will pick up the nip and tuck on the exterior, there is nothing like a new outfit to get one feeling good, and noticed! The most exciting changes though are found inside with bluetooth and touchscreen infotainment system adding to the already very comfortable and feature packed standard option offering. The new smaller turbo-charged motors deliver a more spirited drive and phenomenal economy, which is a big factor with fuel prices rising with alarming regularity. Our SUV Tiguan and Sexy Scirocco coupe are also due for a botox ‘fix’ and the latest versions will be arriving in South Africa in the next few months soon after our amazing good value Vivo face-lift arrives in September. There is a lot more to come and 2015 will bring many new and exciting new offerings. Of course, no little advertorial would be complete without stating the obvious. At Barons Culemborg you will have a unique experience with highly competent finance, technical and parts consultants on hand to make buying and looking after your new Volkswagen no drama and fuss free.
South Africa gay communities have made huge advances in the fight for equality. I can’t help thinking about that first pride march in 1989. The apartheid regime was so entrenched and powerful, Mandela was still in jail, we had no gay rights; who would have thought then that within a few year’s Nelson Mandela would be President, that we would have a majority government, that we would have a constitution with gay rights entrenched, that we were also one of the first countries to accept and legalise gay marriage and gay equality in the work place. These are hugely important steps, more so when we are the only country in Africa where LGBT people enjoy any rights at all, and for that we must be proud. Things are changing quickly and hopefully for the better. I feel so blessed I was born when I was and experienced my own gay history. I know many people don’t understand the importance of the gay pride movement and the events that surround it. Gay pride is important because it brings awareness to issues and needs many LGBTQA (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allies – the list keeps growing!) people deal with daily. It is also a celebration of pride within ourselves and our gay community. It is a great way to come together as one and try to bring hope and change. Pride events in large cities attract people who may not be able to be out and open in their own hometowns. It really gives people the opportunity to be themselves with no worry of backlash from others. Prides allow us to connect with others who are like us, who have been through similar experiences, and to create that meaningful family bond. The significance of pride is something that has always been questioned, but what people must realise is that pride parades and festivals are like a big, gay church. We go to events surrounding the parade to celebrate, have fun and get drunk, but the parade is our mass gathering. To us, it’s meaningful. And although it may appear to be a giant party of near-naked men prancing around the street, it is an opportunity for us to reflect on how we got here, how we can live in harmony without feeling threatened and live proud. Some people feel that prejudice in our local communities and unfair laws in other parts of Africa necessitate civil action/demonstrations, that is their way of bringing awareness and celebrating our achievements. I agree that there is a place for civil action and protests but I also believe that Pride is a celebration. Whatever way you feel about celebrating pride, do it and remember those people who made it all possible.
SOWETO PRIDE
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OWETO Pride is a political project initiated by FEW in 2004 with the aim of creating and making political and social space for black lesbian women to celebrate our sexuality and our humanity. Pride has grown in numbers over the years. SOWETO Pride is held every year on the Saturday closest to Heritage Day in September. The Programme includes a lively protest march from a central point in SOWETO, moving through the residential and business areas and ends at a point such a park.
Please visit us on the Foreshore for attention to detail service from Tod and his awesome team or see our website www.baronsvwculemborg for special offers.
A political programme at the endpoint is followed by a cultural programme to celebrate our struggles and victories as black lesbian women, as the broader women’s movement and as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Friends, family and all those in solidarity with us in our struggles join in the celebrations. Organisations are able to display their messaging, products, promotional items and to engage with participants. See more at: www.sowetopride.co.za
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