Last Friday (12th Feb) we made our voices heard outside parliament when we protested the atrocious Ugandan “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” and our government’s unacceptable silence on this issue.  Further, we noted our alarm at the planned appointment of the unapologetic homophobe Jon Qwelane as South Africa’s ambassador to Uganda.  We of different race, social class, gender and sexual identities spoke with one voice for equality and universal human rights. We called for our government to take a firm stand against this bill, we called for Jon Qwelane not to be appointed as our ambassador and we called for the Ugandan government to recognise the human rights of its LGBTI citizens.

The letter we handed over was signed by about 1200 individuals and 48 organisations in South Africa.  As you know, it was handed over to Mr Malusi Mogale, Media Liason of the Department of International Affairs and Cooperation who undertook to pass it on to the relevant authorities. We will pursue this matter with the Department until the Department makes an official comment on the bill.

The protest was featured on the ETV 7 O’clock news on Friday and in an article in Die Burger the following day. We hope that many more ordinary South Africans will have become aware of the unjust consequences of the Bill and of the failure of our government to take a leadership role on this issue.

On behalf of the Coalition to End Discrimination (CoED)[1][1] interim committee, we would like to thank Cape Town Pride for creating the space for all of us to protest.  The proceedings would not have gone as smoothly without your help.  We look forward to working in partnership with you to speak out against, and prevent hate crimes. 

 Yours in equality

Daniel Linde and Catherine Pretorius

CoED Coordinators