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President Jacob Zuma. Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu
The traditional leader of South Africa's Zulus, King Goodwill Zwelithini has slammed gays as “rotten”, drawing a rebuke from President Jacob Zuma, The Times reported on Monday.
“Traditionally, there were no people who engaged in same-sex relationships. There was nothing like that and if you do it, you must know that you are rotten,” he said at a ceremony on Sunday marking the 133rd anniversary of the Battle of Isandlwana, where the Zulu army defeated British imperial forces.
“I don't care how you feel about it. If you do it, you must know that it is wrong and you are rotten. Same-sex is not acceptable.”
South Africa is one of the few countries in the world to extend equal rights to gays, and is the only nation in Africa to allow same-sex marriage.
Zuma himself sparked a firestorm six years ago, before he was president, when he was quoted as saying that same-sex marriages were “a disgrace to the nation and to God” and that he would have beaten gays when growing up.
He later apologised.
According to The Times President Jacob Zuma, who shared the stage with Zwelithini, did not directly respond to the king's remarks.
Instead, he said: “Today, we are faced with different challenges . challenges of reconciliation and of building a nation that does not discriminate against other people because of their colour or sexual orientation.” – AFP
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Anonymous, wrote
Where's the rebuke?
Arlene, wrote
You trying to score supporters now babaZuma? You bashed gays yourself a while ago....
Anonymous, wrote
I agree with the King but with me as long as those gays don't cross my path they can live their lives the way they want. I don't care, and i'm not bothered. Just don't cross my path...& they have never done so yet so I'm good.
Anonymous, wrote
How far back is Goodwill prepared to go? Zulu men have been having homosexual relations for decades in both prisons and mines. Pedastery seemed to be a wholly acceptable thing for mineworkers in particular. And even further back; there is evidence that Shaka Zulu himself was at the very least gay friendly.
blufluid, wrote
The King is right. Homosexuality is a disgrace. It is unacceptable in God's eyes so how then can man make it right? A little island should be found where homos can make babies and live happily ever after.
Arlene, wrote
You trying to score supporters now babaZuma? You bashed gays yourself a while ago....
@ Anonymous of 12:52, wrote
believe what you want. I expect you'll learn eventually that YOU HAVE NO GOD! you are a godless creature just like every other creature. There is no 'almighty' that gives a damn about you & your struggle
Kyle, wrote
Dear Anonymous 12h52PM, its a disgrace maybe in front of your GOD, but dont force your religion down my throat!!! Keep your hate to yourself....PS: Were you a virgin when you got married? Are you divorced? Have you lied before? Clean your own house out before casting stones @ others you simpleton!
Johan, wrote
Ironically anthropological research suggests that Shaka himself engaged in same-sex relationships...
Thabo Selepe, wrote
With all due respect to the royal highness, we live in a country that respect people for they are. It puzzles me to think that we still have people that discriminate in this day in age. If you discriminate on any grounds listed in the constitution, I honestly find that to be hypocritical. A nation is build by different people, from different backgrounds, believes and different standard of living. If you can’t respect the next person for who they are, then please respect them for a simple reason, that they merely respect you for who you are. As for the king, I hope someday you change your stand point about some of your subjects
Dave, wrote
How the hell can anyone say "this didn't happen in the past". Give us a break! And how is being gay and black the same as wanting to be white? Some people should just shut their damn mouths!!!
Anonymous, wrote
Actual gays and lisbians thing is anti-humen. I understand that Zuma has to be deplomatic but deep down his heart doesn't support it. He just said it because he is the president.
Anonymous, wrote
to be honest , I don't care what King says . I am not even a Zule,but I can promise you that when Shaka went to war he used to sleep other men then , if Gays were not there were does the name come from ( Izitabane ) Older people knwe about these people it's just that it was not out there like now . gay people are humans like everyone else ,why do you judge them . is because of their sex life . I find people being bored when they comment about gays . there are important issues that we need to deal with thatn being angry to gay people. they are nice normal humans . Mr President big UP . Those who hate gays are actualy gay themselves.
Andrew, wrote
The fact that being gay was traditionally immoral, is not an argument. Morality changes, that is what makes us civilized today compared to back then. This king needs an education. --- To the Editor, why does the font change halfway through the report?
Diva, wrote
@ Anonymous 12:52 the only Disgrace around here is your inability to spell. As for the article I think its dispicable that people in power live with such narrow and primitive minsets.
bobjones, wrote
I thing this king knows what he is talking about - he has been sodomising his nation for years now!
M, wrote
As long as they take a shower afterward hey, Jacob?
democrat, wrote
Good. Zuma read the news, and had to blush. The fat Royal Highness is unconstitutional and a bigot. Send him to the Equality Court. Zuma, you're learning slowly day by day .... keep it up.
Arlene, wrote
You trying to score supporters now babaZuma? You bashed gays yourself a while ago....
Anonymous, wrote
I fully support the President in being able to rebuke the Zulu guy or whatever he's called, I don't see the need for his presence anyway, come on this is the 21st century nobody should utter such statements. As for those saying God is against Homosexuality, God is against many things and you still do them, God is against sex before marriage look at how many single parents we have out there. The bottomline is, we're all hypocrites
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