A lot of people have voiced out their thoughts about Tanzania’s anti-gay laws. This comes after the African country shocked many after it was revealed that a task force had been set up to arrest LGBT people in the city.
The public was also told to report suspected gay men to the police. Concerned people have taken to various social media platforms to express shock and concern about this matter. Some have even shared that they won’t be visiting the country until the situation has been dealt with, while others have called on the president of South Africa, and other political leaders to do something.
@CyrilRamaphosa @LindiweSisuluSA @MmusiMaimane @Julius_S_Malema @PatriciaDeLille The humiliation of gay people in Tanzania and Tunisia is not human. This tragedy cannot be allowed to continue. It requires the same commitment we had against apartheid.
— khaya dludla (@KhayaDludla) November 11, 2018
An outrageous crackdown on gay people is underway in Tanzania — if we act together fast we can put an end to it: https://t.co/AkDOLBXJrQ
— Kill Mufasa? Precisely! (@OnsunduM) November 10, 2018
Further, you said “The violation of the rights and equal worth of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex people demeans our common humanity.”
If you believe this, how have you not said anything about the situation in Tanzania, Mr @CyrilRamaphosa?
— Letlhogonolo (@Mr_Mokgoroane) November 15, 2018
So in Tanzania people arrested on suspicion of being gay are subjected to anal examination… What is wrong with our continent, kodwa? #GaysInTanzania
— Ta Toolz (@ThulaniWrite) November 9, 2018
So Tanzania is playing in Lesotho ton Saturday while gay Tanazian lives are being threatened?! If it were up to me this match would be boycotted. What do queer folks in Lesotho have to say about this, and the rest of Africa against this bullying of lives??! Call to action moves? pic.twitter.com/w61RHpnOAS
— Bots’onyana (@Mothafunker_B) November 8, 2018
So, what can we do as a collective to make sure that people’s basic human rights are not infringed? Well, we simply need to let people be who they are, without judging.
One person who agrees with this is singer and pastor Khaya Mthethwa. When asked about his views on how the church should treat homosexuals, Khaya, who was first introduced to Mzansi on Idols a few years ago, said during an interview on Metro FM in July this year: “I think the church must stop picking and choosing what’s right for them and really focus on the message of the cross and loving people and allowing people to be who they are and allowing God to minister into their lives.” Listen to the interview below:
Last year, Khaya got married to former Miss South Africa, Ntando and their relationship has been in the spotlight. Many a time, the media personality honours his wife with sweet messages.
- You might also like: Ntando Kunene & Khaya Mthetwa get married
Main image credit: instagram.com/@khayamthethwa
