Since the commencement of UP&Out in 2006, the society has served as a vital instrument in advocating for the visibility and rights of LGBTQIA+ students across UP campuses. However, as the academic year comes to an end, so could the existence of the queer society, after just two decades of existence.
According to an UP&Out source, the issues began towards the end of 2025 when the society submitted its management report nine days past the deadline. This led to the notification by student governance informing them that they would be prohibited from registering for the 2026 academic year. The Executive Committee (EC) refused to accept defeat and instead took action by filing an official dispute with the Constitutional Tribunal (ConTri) against the SRC.
After months of proceedings, the society was provided with interim relief. These provisions stipulated that they would be permitted to participate in the university’s Marketing Week and would further be allowed to begin the registration process. The final judgment confirmed the interim relief and went on to state the importance of UP&Out, and societies as a whole, being treated fairly. The basis of the latter statement by the ConTri is unknown as specific details to such proceedings remain confidential.
Despite the favourable ruling by the ConTri, the complicated processes on the ground still remain. Any student who has had the fortune to serve in a leadership position at UP is aware of the tedious procedures that have to be followed before recognition as a “published society”. The registration process this year proved to be more perplexing than most.
According to the current UP&Out Chairperson, Rethabile Mokhena, she noticed that within the first two weeks they were still awaiting first approval, alongside other societies. However, after two months, she observed that all societies were registered except for her own, which remained on a “Pending 1st Approval” status. Mokhena made multiple attempts to reach the SRC Societies Officer, Lihle Moncina and Chairperson, Khutso Manyaka to no avail. Moreover, PDBY requested email commentary from both SRC members on 17 September. At the time of publication, neither office has provided a response to PDBY.
A MambaOnline interview from May 2007 featuring UP&Out founding member and former Vice-Chairperson Sergio Dos Santos details the massive strides taken in founding UP&Out. They were met with opposition from the then-SRC, which defaced wall art and tore down marketing posters. Dos Santos further remarked on how he was “excited about the mark that [his] fledgling society is having on the university.” The society has actively looked out for its members by providing them with long-lasting friendships and educating them about mental and other health and wellness resources.
Visual: Sesethu
