IAM Celebrates 30 Years of Queer Faith Inclusion in Africa – MambaOnline
IAM at 30: Founder Rev Pieter Oberholzer and Director Rev Ecclesia de Lange
The Cape Town-based Inclusive and Affirming Ministries (IAM) is celebrating its 30th anniversary as one of Africa’s leading drivers of queer faith inclusion. The organisation champions true diversity within religious contexts and works to build welcoming, affirming and inclusive faith communities for queer people.
MambaOnline sat down with Reverend Pieter Oberholzer, IAM’s pioneering founder, and Reverend Ecclesia de Lange, IAM’s current director, to reflect on the ministry’s journey, their experiences at their recent Imagining A Queer Africa conference, and their dreams for the future of queer activism and faith on the continent.
IAM’s story began at a time when faith and queerness were seen as irreconcilable. Rev Oberholzer, recalling the early days, shared:
“When I started, I wasn’t apologetic—but I was a beggar at the church door, just asking them to put us on the agenda. Over time, we became known and respected. Now, we’re not just beggars. We’re dialogue partners that they want to talk to.”
He spoke of IAM’s transformation from a lone voice to a respected thought leader on the intersection of faith, sexuality, and justice.
“Today, I see the fearlessness of our participants, the resilience of the people we work with, and the growth of our own staff. It’s been a journey of becoming unapologetically present, knowledgeable, and claiming our rightful space.”
Speaking to MambaOnline about the recent Imagining A Queer Africa conference—hosted by IAM with global partners—both Reverends emphasized the importance of convening activists, faith leaders, and allies from across the continent and beyond.
“This conference was about saying we are here, we are staying, and we are claiming Africa,” Rev Oberholzer said passionately. “In the face of the global anti-gender movement that threatens to erase our lives, this gathering was a testament to our resilience and to the unstoppable force of community.”
Rev de Lange, who was expelled as a Minister from the Methodist Church of South Africa in 2010 for marrying her same-sex partner, added:
“The conference was not just an event—it was a moment to breathe courage into our partners, to give them the sustenance to continue the work in the harshest of environments. I hope that every activist here left feeling more resilient, more determined, and more connected to a network that refuses to leave anyone behind.”
The conference’s theme—Imagining A Queer Africa—struck a deep chord with both leaders.
“For me,” Rev de Lange reflected, “imagining a queer Africa is about returning to our authenticity—throwing off the shackles of colonialism and judgment—and being unapologetically ourselves. Queer means disrupting every system that seeks to oppress. It’s about standing in solidarity, even with those whose struggles you may not share in your own body.”
Rev Oberholzer echoed this sentiment:
“Queer Africa is an Africa where every person can be fully themselves, where authenticity triumphs over prejudice, and where the courage to resist oppression is celebrated. It’s a space where our diversity is not just tolerated, but embraced as our greatest strength.”
Celebrating 30 years of building welcoming, affirming and inclusive faith communities for queer people.
Both Reverends warned of the growing threat of the anti-gender movement sweeping the globe and its insidious impact on African societies.
“The anti-gender movement is incredibly clever in how it packages itself,” Rev de Lange explained. “They talk about ‘family values’ and make it sound so appealing, but when you unpack it, it’s deeply patriarchal and rooted in white supremacy. It’s a threat not just to queer lives, but to everyone’s humanity.”
Rev Oberholzer stressed the importance of addressing faith-based prejudice:
“Faith is woven into the very fabric of African life. Liberation for queer people cannot be complete without spiritual liberation. That’s why IAM’s work is so crucial—it’s about challenging the narratives that faith has used to exclude us, and rewriting them to include and affirm us.”
IAM’s work is built on decades of relationship-building with academic institutions, faith leaders, activists, and funders. Rev Oberholzer explained:
“We build partnerships organically—through trust, shared purpose, and time. The days of cold proposals are gone. Relationships are everything.”
Rev de Lange agreed, adding:
“Our partnerships have grown beyond faith-based funders. We now work with secular human rights organizations who understand that queer liberation is incomplete without addressing faith. That’s a major shift—and it’s one of our biggest achievements.”
Investing in the Next Generation
Although IAM doesn’t have a formal youth program, both leaders highlighted their commitment to nurturing young leaders.
“We invest a lot of time in seminaries and universities,” Rev de Lange explained. “Many of the young people who attended our workshops are now leading their own movements. That’s how we sustain change.”
Rev Oberholzer added a personal reflection:
“When I was alone, I was called the Antichrist, the devil of South Africa. But I found strength in conferences where I could just listen and know I wasn’t alone. I hope that IAM continues to be that source of strength for others.”
Asked what advice they have for activists working in faith-based or conservative communities, Rev Oberholzer offered wisdom drawn from decades of experience:
“We chose dialogue over debate. Dialogue means respecting even those who oppose you—because one day, they might become your allies. Let’s name the injustices, let’s claim our space, but let’s never become the demonisers. That’s the style of Trump and others—we must not follow that path.”
Rev de Lange emphasised:
“Don’t operate from a place of fear. Be confident, be capacitated, and be fabulous. We are here to stay.”
Looking ahead, both leaders underscored the importance of flexibility, resilience, and constant learning.
“We always ask ourselves: Are we doing the right thing, at the right time, for the right group?” Rev Oberholzer said. “That question keeps us grounded, accountable, and adaptable.”
IAM’s journey from being “beggars at the church door” to becoming leaders in the inclusive faith movement is a testament to the power of courage, community, and compassion. As they look to the next 30 years, IAM remains committed to building an Africa where faith and queerness are not contradictions—but sources of strength, hope, and liberation.
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