zuma is being dragged to support same-sex campaigns

By Nthateng Mhlambiso (BTM Senior Reporter)

SOUTH AFRICA – October 2, 2006: Jacob Zuma couldn’t be reached for further comment following demands put forward by the gay and lesbian organizations (in South Africa) for him to support the Civil Unions Bill as a way of showing the sincerity of his apology.

This was acknowledged after speaking to Zuma’s aide Ranjeni Munusamy who commented that Zuma cannot at this stage say anything regarding to support gays on the public hearings about the Civil Unions Bill. “He issued an apology and he is not going to comment any further on the matter”, she stressed.

The commotion between Zuma and the gay organisations took root after Zuma, who later apologized, reportedly insulted gays as ungqingili during Heritage Day celebrations in KwaDukuza in the Kwa-Zulu Natal province.

The gay organisations demanded an apology from Zuma, for which he apologized, and that he must support same-sex campaigns.

Asked what difference will it make if Zuma supports the Bill, Glen De Swardt of Triangle Project in Cape Town said; “We are saying that he must support the constitution. He is a leader and a public figure with a strong following and who can influence. His support for the Bill can make a difference.”

“We cannot accept your apology unless you back it up further. Your homoprejudiced statements have caused considerable insult and hurt to countless people, both heterosexual and homosexual alike. As a public figure you have undermined the constitution of South Africa and done substantial harm to the notion of equality in our society”, De Swardt said in a statement.

Director of the Durban Lesbian and Gay Community and Health Centre Nonhlanhla Mkhize said that for the fact that Zuma doesn’t want to comment on whether or not he will support the Bill as urged by gay organisations shows that his apology might not be genuine. “If he was not just saying his apology but meaning it, there would be a further comment”, she ponders.