ZUMA AT ODDS WITH ZULU KING’S ANTI-GAY COMMENTS
In a remarkable incident, President Jacob Zuma has disagreed with King Goodwill Zwelithini’s anti-gay comments at a ceremony in KwaZulu-Natal, reports The Times.
The two men shared the stage at an event on Sunday marking the 133rd anniversary of the Battle of Isandlwana, in which British soldiers were defeated by Zulu forces.
“Traditionally, there were no people who engaged in same sex-relationships,” said Zwelithini.
“There was nothing like that and if you do it, you must know that you are rotten. I don’t care how you feel about it. If you do it, you must know that it is wrong and you are rotten. Same sex is not acceptable.”
Zuma, in response, indirectly rebuked the king’s the comments.
“Today, we are faced with different challenges,” said Zuma. “Challenges of reconciliation and of building a nation that does not discriminate against other people because of their colour or sexual orientation.”
Lance Weyer, Mr Gay South Africa 2011, slammed Zwelithini’s statements, accusing him of inciting homophobia that could lead to hate crimes against LGBT people.
“We have to note the devastating effect deeply rooted homophobia by leaders is having on communities. How can someone who is being paid a salary by the South African government, i.e. taxpayers, have such a blatantly unconstitutional view?” Weyer asked.
In recent years, South Africa has been grappling with brutal and at-times-deadly attacks against black, lesbian women; a phenomenon that has been dubbed “corrective rape”.
“Violent homophobia is real, and as much as I respect your right to practice and live your Zulu culture, I think it’s about time that we started being as passionate about the dignity and wellbeing of ALL our citizens,” Weyer added.
In 2006, before he became president, Zuma himself came under fire for saying that “same-sex marriage is a disgrace to the nation and to God…” He later apologised unreservedly.
No just read this properly..
Zuma now defends us and set the record straight and all that Weyer does as an DA spokesperson and now a “mouthpiece” for the gay community, is to focus on what the king said.
Zuma MUST be praised for defending us, and the DA must be included in congratulating the president in his stance against a homophobic King.
Is it possible that because Zuma is Black and the leader of the ANC that no one sees what he has done of us in mentioning a few words?
If this was Zille, a string of compliments would have followed.. just shows – how many real non-racist gays we actually have.. My white brothers and sisters must change their attitudes, and very fast!
The worst president any country has ever had to endure
Really? even worse than your apartheid murderer.. uhm preisdent? Its your ilk and those who reminiscent of the past that disgust me.. how about standing up for everyone’s right and to speak out against racist, homophobia, sexist etc. and making the change than to constantly criticise when you do absolutely nothing to change the behaviour of these individuals. Next time when friends calls black/coloured people names etc, stand up and defend them! only when that happens will we be on the right track! And thank you Zuma, you did the right thing, and thats all that matters.
Get over yourself Praise Worthy. How about standing together as a unified gay society against attitudes like King “who gives a fuck”, instead of always pulling the race card and making it a colour thing. Kudos to Zuma! No matter what colour he is!
Well, let’s face it, the king is an old has-been and Zuma is a blundering moron who couldn’t run a bath, let along a country, so you can’t take either of them seriously.
Gmph! “Gladdebek” Zuma is probably the best liar out there. He is a MASTER when it comes to saying “what people want to hear”, and it is ONLY that skill that got him elected president at all. Because of his ability to smooth talk the masses. He ALWAYS promises EXACTLY what people want to hear, especially if it gets close to election time. He has heard the roomers that the ANC want to vote him out at their next conference, so now all of a sudden he will say ALL the right things to just not loose the support, and he will yet again pull the wool over most people’s eyes. Since when has he been so “accepting” of gays? The last line of this article is proof. Mark my words, in the coming months before the ANC’s conference you will hear him publicly declaring his love for whites, the poor, etc, and hear him publicly promise on how hard they work on “fighting corruption” (more fighting to hide corruption). Isn’t the “state of the nation” address coming up soon? HYPOCRITES. I will never ever, as long as I live believe a word out of this excuse for a human being’s mouth. Never.
Ag Gary, hou jy liewer jou bek!
Point proven… Thanks for that Willem. How quickly we forget… And he only makes a few public statements, and everybody loves him
praise, that is so true.
Well said, Praise Worthy.
I agree, he’s not perfect as a President, but sometimes even saying the words makes all the difference. Well done him.
I strongly believe that Zuma is just saying what he has to legally to avoid another media outcry like in 2006. However I’m happy as long as the government actually implements the constitution – whether or not the president believes in it or not. I would like to see a stronger condemnation from his office of homophobia in South Africa.
Lance, please get off your high horse.
Your DA Leader has done worse thing in the Western Cape where i site. She has lied to coloured people to vote for her and today not much are being done in our areas.. I Live in the areas where she and her blue bus done the rounds.. where is she now? instead her administration goes to hangberg and shoots at people and 3 people have lost their eyes in the process.. and JP SMITH thinks its funny and goes and find photo’s to defend this terrible deed… why did people lose eyes and were treated like animals? because people wanted housing.. pathetic reaction from the DA.
And more recently, The DA MEC for transport defending his decision to build a multimillion luxury building in a national park using tax payers money – chappies.. While those millions could have gone to the people of hangberg, mere kilometres away.. while YOUR ZILLE is silent. Even the whites are questioning the DA’s motives.. they are slowly seeing what the DA is all about. but like her who always seem to get the praises.. There are some good in here, likewise with Zuma.. and do acknowledge it instead of always trying to play a political game..
Last i checked you were not elected to speak politics every single time, comment as MR GAY SOUTH AFRICA, and not as a DA ELECTIVE. In PE you can do your thing, in the Gay community be MR GAY SA.. simple.
Praise the president for standing up for us, instead of analyzing it politically.. it is not your place in this instance.
Clearly “Praise Worthy” has an alternative agenda. My comments had nothing to do with the DA, and I saw no mention of the DA or anti-ANC comments in the article. I was defending the constitutional right of LGBTI people not be persecuted. What else was Mr GSA supposed to say? Also, please get your facts right – I’m from East London. And you hide behind a pseudonym?
Well said Lance!
Drag the King to the Equality Court.
E-mail addresses:
1 Prov Gov.
phumzile.ngcobo@kzncogta.gov.za
nonhlanhla.qhobosheane@kzncogta.gov.za
2 Premier: KZN
kznonline@premier.kzntl.gov.za
3 Zulu Kingdom website:
anushka@uthungulu.co.za
Any public leader calling women “rotten” or another race group “animals” would be hauled over the coals. The uproar would be immense. The same constitution protects me as a gay man in theory equally protects woman, children and the Khoisan against bias. I do not think one PC comment from the President about sexual orientation is enough. It’s something, but it is weak.
If that was weak, i wonder what you have done recently besides being an aiding puppet of “rotten” organizations? You all seem to be so anti- ANC and anti Zuma.. the man is coming around and all you want to do is remind us of the past… how about you stand up against Ian and tell us about it.. *wink*
Praiseworthy, your comments cannot go without a response. I dont know Lance personally and up till recently was a supporter of the ANC. I would hope that you see past colour on matters. Firstly , if the comments from the King are true they need to be seen as hate speech which is a crime in South Africa. Every citizen , whether white , black straight or gay needs the constitution to protect us but even more so, we need leaders who live that constitution. From what I understand, Zuma was unaware of the kings speech and therfore it would be unfair to judge his speech BUT once Zuma’s office gets to hear about it and , if it was a true reflectiuon, he has a duty to condemn it in the most severe terms. He cannopt be seen to condone crime.Why you feel that Lance cannot express digust at the Kings apparent hate speech is beyond me. As part of the gay community is is our duty to condemn that type of behaviour and I for one salute Lance for the political stance he has taken of behalf of our community. I am so tired of the apathy I see in the gay community generally. We are seen as weak because generally we are. How many of the gay community stand up on issues? In PE , I sometimes feel alone when responding to bigots in the newspaper. It is cool to see another East Capie standing up for what is morally right. Lance you continue the good work. You will be remembered like your hero.
Wayne, i dont think you read properly what Praise Worthy has said. all he wanted Weyers to do is acknowledge that OUR president actually stood up for us. You, like Lance seem to be so tight up the DA`s arse that your fail to recognise when others outside of the DA is trying to do the right thing. How about a non-political stance for once and to see the light at the end. And It was not about the King after-all, it was now about what our president said that overshadowed the KING..
Privates: You obvioulsy did not read my e-mail. I said I was an ANC supporter until recently. I am not a DA supporter. This is not about politics, this is about human rights. Geez, our president is a naff if that is his scolding.
Funny article. See here – http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/A-Modern-African-Fairy-Tale-20120124