Petition making rounds on social media to have Zodwa Wabantu’s show canned
The Embrace Diversity Political Movement has noted with regret and discontent, the homophobic statement uttered by media personality Zodwa Libram.
On the 7th of July 2019 Zodwa Libram best known as Zodwa Wabantu disappointed a lot of her fans more especially the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community by making a homophobic comment on her Uncensored Moja Love reality show by saying; “There is no gay person in the industry who isn’t silly or that has never fought with girl.”
She went to say that the problem is that gays think they have female privates, while they have male organs. She also mentioned how females accommodate gays by letting them wear make-up and get the chance to also be included in conversations that include men.
When interviewed by Sowetan, Zodwa sang a different tune saying, “How can I be homophobic when I have more than 20 gay friends? Even my designer is gay.”
"Save Zodwa Wabantu's Show" when they say "How can I be homophobic when I have gay friends" 🤔😑😒 pic.twitter.com/uZXWU5QEXj
— IG:siyanda_mwelase (@siyah_94) July 9, 2019
The Embrace Diversity Political Movement has noted with regret and discontent, the homophobic statement uttered by media personality Zodwa Libram on the recent episode of her reality television show.
“We believe that her comments are beyond just homophobic, but inherently transphobic and threatens trans men and women living in fear of victimization.
“Her utterances go beyond being offensive, considering how they have power to perpetuate discrimination and even hate crimes against trans women in particular,” – said EDPM national spokesperson Mpho Buntse.
Furthermore the movement notes that her alleged transphobic and homophobic statement can be transcribed as follows:
“Gay people are naughty. Name a gay person in the industry who has never fought with a girl. They’re convinced that they have a vagina, they have a penis. We have the vagina.
“We accommodate you guys, so you can feel like you want to put on make-up. When we talk about men, you’ll get a chance too. But really, No!”
Buntse assert that as a movement that recognizes the historic efforts and strides of the government and the judiciary towards ending homophobia and crimes motivated by hate, the above statement seek to undermine and erase these efforts.
The constitution of the Republic of South Africa explicitly protects and recognizes the plight and humanity of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Questioning and Queer people.
We remain unshaken in our believe that the above statement constitutes a hate speech and not freedom of speech.
“The nuances in Libram’s statement are problematic and pose as bigotry in that they are incredibly insulting to the rest of the LGBTIQ community.
“Libram is promoting cisgenderism, essentially denying, ignoring, stigmatizing and vilifying non-cisgender forms of expression, sexual activity, relationship, behavior or community.
“We cannot downplay the workings of cisgenderism in relation to hate crimes.
“The LGBTIQ community is found to be among the most vulnerable to hate crimes with lesbian and transgender men and women being most vulnerable in our society.”
Buntse said that the EDPM will formally lay a complaint with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa and a further complaint will be registered with the South African Human Rights as interventions to curb what could possibly lead to hate motivated crimes.
Here is what tweeps had to say about the matter?
This Is Not Even Fun 🙄🙄🙄
The Hate Speech
She's Just Descriminating Our Fellow Brothers 💔💔💔 Being Gay Doesn't Mean You Trying To Make Yourself A female, I'm Just Disgusted By Your Words Of Hate Speech. Smanga Is Just Your Hand Bag #ZodwaCancelled #Uyajola99 pic.twitter.com/N0mYL296Co— Dalton Paris (@LeboMashia) July 7, 2019
I just can’t believe that someone who’s been favoured by the most of the LGBTI+ community would speak such. Who hurt you sisi? Or kune gay ekudlele indoda? #ZodwaCancelled
— Rich Uncle (@tddaniels_) July 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/LindahMajola/status/1148537107796897792
#ZodwaCancelled #ZodwaUncensored
How Can We Call Her A Public Figure?
We AlmKnow She Was Once A Prostitute But We Never Judged Her pic.twitter.com/rKxJhxKDOv— Dalton Paris (@LeboMashia) July 9, 2019
Other tweeps showed support for Zodwa Wabantu making reference to the nature of the show titled ‘Zodwa Wabantu Uncensored.
Kanti what's the meaning of Uncensored? I'm a bit confused #ZodwaCancelled pic.twitter.com/wEEeolo3lV
— Mamthembu❤ (@ZandileGongo) July 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/ihddailyraps/status/1148548969607421958
https://twitter.com/kulanicool/status/1148547814785466368
#ZodwaCancelled for the why for the who even, that's just nonsense we stand by her and we are here to Save Zodwa Wabantu's Show. pic.twitter.com/Hov1FeTNtT
— Siba_ (@Siba_Emu) July 9, 2019
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