editorial: A December of fighting for rights

By Mashilo Mnisi

December 14 – 21, 2007: This December, the future of the Republic of South Africa will be known after the Polokwane ANC’s 52nd national conference where leadership would be elected.

The gay community and individuals have pledged their vote at the conference as in terms of their preference and rights.

It was clear from the outset when the ANC Women’s League (ANC WL) nominated Jacob Zuma that the South African lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community did not favour Zuma to take lead – hence it deplored the nomination.

But I’m still not indubious. I’m just straddled between a fork road. I am concerned and wondering that the LGBTI community denounced the nomination based on the fact that Zuma once taunted the gay community [but later apologised although many believed it wasn’t genuine] or that Zuma once raped a lesbian woman and was acquitted of the rape, or both.

It’s quite obvious to contempt some LGBTI individuals as they believe that Zuma [if elected for presidency] might look at challenging the country’s constitution based on his different principles and beliefs towards gay people. And that could mean to challenge or even attempt to reverse the Civil Unions Act that was adopted last December and protecting the rights of gay people to marry – if he’s still holding on to those beliefs.

But anyway, the LGBTI community have submitted their petition to Polokwane for the nominees to ponder around LGBTI and human rights – and also to reconsider gender, sexual rights and HIV and Aids.

It is unfortunate that the majority of the mainstream community tends to vindicate Zuma than Thabo Mbeki for presidency as they indicated in the recent branch nominations three weeks ago – and Nelson Mandela also tacitly indicated that. It is again unfortunate that all this is taking place during the holidays season. Instead of rejoicing and celebrating some of us will be reeling on grief and clutching at teeth as a result of the Polokwane elections.

I could go on and on but whatever that comes out of the Polokwane conference, let’s celebrate the festive season and the victory of our future president hoping that things will go well since we believe in democracy.

Enjoy the festive season until we meet again in second week of January next year.