Engaged couple and Springs residents Kobus Smal (36) and Wayne van der Schyff (31) from Strubenvale thought they had found the perfect wedding venue when a single message stopped them in their tracks.
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The owner of Tameletjie Wedding Venue in Endicott, Springs denied the couple the opportunity to have their wedding at the venue’s premises due to their homosexual relationship.
“We were on our way in the general direction of the wedding venue while waiting for the owner to send us the exact location, but when we received a WhatsApp message from her, everything changed,” says Kobus.
The message reads: ‘Hi Wayne… wil hoor gou by jou… gaan dit ’n gay troue wees? As dit is kan ek jou nie help nie! Dit is teen ons beginsels.’
Translated, it reads: ‘Hi Wayne, just want to find out, will it be a gay wedding? If it is, I cannot help you! It is against our principles.’
When Wayne replied and told her she cannot refuse to host their nuptials and that it is against the law, she replied: ‘No, very sorry. I can do it [refuse them].’
“We were incredibly shocked when this happened,” says Kobus. “We live in a very different day and age and to be treated like this was just one time too many for us.
“Against her principles? We are Christians and also have principles.”
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The couple, who own a coffee shop in the Springs Mall, decided enough was enough and went to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), who confirmed their complaint falls within their mandate, and the SAHRC has launched an investigation into the matter.
“We are not doing this to get something out of it, but to be a voice and make a point that people cannot be treated in this manner any more, it is time to change.”
Kobus explains Tamaletjie seemed the perfect venue for them and it “ticked all of the boxes”.
“Our date was available, it was the perfect setting that matched our theme, and the location where it was based was ideal for family and friends who lived in other areas as it was central for them,” says Wayne.
The couple say they suspect the owner saw their WhatsApp profile picture, which shows the couple together, when she went to send them the address and exact location and deduced from it that they were homosexual.
“We are not the kind of people who make a big deal out of everything, but this is not the first time we have been treated in this manner.
“We usually let it go and move on, but you get to a point in life where you decide to stand up for your rights and let your voice be heard,” says Kobus.
The couple have been together for three-and-a-half years after they met at a social gathering and haven’t been apart since.
“From that day on we were inseparable,” says Wayne.
“We have the same standards and morals and we both strive to be more, strive to be better people and we believe in furthering ourselves,” says Wayne.
The couple are very much in love and say that one of their reasons for wanting to get married is due to both of them wanting to adopt a child.
“We believe a child should grow up in a stable home with stable parents, and we want to give that to them,” says Kobus.
“It’s been a dream of ours for a long time.
“We want people to know they must stand up and fight for what they believe in; we are a strong community and we love Springs and its people, we grew up here.”
Tameletjie’s reply
The owner of Tameletjie Wedding Venue, Antonett, was contacted on Friday for comment by the Springs Advertiser, but stated that she would not comment and would refer the matter to her lawyers.
The latter did not comment after two e-mail enquiries were sent, stating that their client had not instructed them to do so.
The Addie therefore attempted to speak to Antonett again on Monday and spoke to her husband Jan (who would not give his surname), who says:
“Everyone has human rights, what goes for them goes for us as well.
“We have a right to believe what we believe as Christians and we would rather fear the Father [God] before we fear people.
“We have the right to freedom of speech and the right to freedom of association.”
What does the law say?
In terms of section 9 of the Constitution’s Bill of Rights, one may not discriminate unfairly against anyone based on, among other things, their sexual orientation.
The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act (Act No. 4 of 2000) gives effect to this Constitutional principle. The Act outlaws unfair discrimination aimed against any group of persons, such as the homosexual community.
When someone’s right to equality has been unfairly infringed upon, he or she may approach the Human Rights Commission. If the matter cannot be mediated, it may be escalated to the Equality Court.
