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Showing posts with label Africa related. Show all posts

Jan 28, 2012

South Africa: interracial poster generates heat

Even with apartheid gone racial sensitivities still run deep in South Africa. There is nothing like a provocative photo to trigger a reaction.

A political poster put out by the student wing of the Democratic Alliance - the main opposition party - is guaranteed to push a lot of buttons. It shows a studly white dude who looks as though he's fresh out of the shower in a loving embrace with a stripped down black woman. The accompanying tagline reads: "In OUR future, you wouldn't look twice."

So what's the big deal? A snapshot in time - sweet and personal - in which considerations of race take a backseat to togetherness. Ideally what the "rainbow nation" should be all about. Right? Not exactly. While most S. Africans like or are okay with the ad, others are less impressed.

Not long after the posters went up the media reaction kicked in. The story went viral on social networking sites in SA and became a talking point on radio and TV shows. The reactions of detractors ranged from accusations of racism to complaints about "pornography."

A statement by the ruling ANC party reflects their view that the Democratic Alliance is a white-controlled party with "token" blacks. It said the DA poster followed the “Irish coffee” principle of “sprinkling darkies on white foam.”

The ANC characterization of the Democratic Alliance is a bit harsh. The DA recently elected a black woman, Lindiwe Mazibuko, as leader of its parliamentary wing. Its predecessor - The Progressive Party in its various manifestations - included many well known anti-Apartheid activists such as Helen Suzman and Harry Schwarz.

On another level the ANC response is understandable. The couple represented in the poster is still a bit of a fantasy in a S. Africa marked by deep racial and socio-economic divides. The bulk of blacks live in crowded townships while whites mostly live in well-to-do suburban neighborhoods. It is this underlying reality that could understandably trigger a negative reaction to an image that some may see as out-of-touch.

A similar heated reaction greeted the story about a white South African actor, Carolyn Forword, who had problems kissing a black actor on-stage in the course of the Riverside Theatre Company's production of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Race and the inequities associated with it still strike a deep chord in South Africa.

The DA says it is pleased with the wide ranging reaction to the poster. An insightful comment I read on the related Facebook page came from Jhandre Bredenkamp who said: "Well done in drawing reaction! Time for many people to stop and think: What does my reaction to this photo really say about me?"

More on story from Huffington Post and Mail and Guardian

May 27, 2010

'Don't Shoot' campaign: South Africa bans guns in stadiums during World Cup

Top from left: Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz, Argentinian

striker Carlos Tevez and S. African mid-fielder Steven Pienaar.
Below: Alexandra Ladies FC

An article in The Independent reports that South Africa has placed a ban on guns in football stadiums for the duration of the World Cup.

Independent:

Premier League footballers have launched a campaign to banish guns from South Africa during the World Cup – and for the future.

For the first time in the country's history, personal firearms will be banned from stadiums during the tournament. But, when the contest finishes on 11 July, guns will once again be allowed in all public places.

Every year in South Africa, some 10,000 people are killed with guns. Those who have fallen victim to the country's lax gun laws are disappointed that measures to take guns off the streets will be only temporary.

A campaign led by the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) aims to extend the ban beyond the World Cup.

The UK fashion designer Katherine Hamnett came up with the T-shirt for the campaign emblazoned with the slogan "Don't Shoot: Gun-Free World Cup." It's a graphic and up-front approach to getting out the message.

Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez shared his personal story and what motivates him to get behind the campaign: "Guns have no place in sport, or in society... And if it's possible to have a gun-free World Cup, why stop there? When I was growing up in Buenos Aires, I often heard gunshots at night, and I had to choose between following my dream, football, or falling into a life of crime. Hopefully, the World Cup will inspire kids in South Africa in the same way."

Football violence involving guns occurred at the Africa Cup of Nations. On the way to the tournament the Togo team bus came under machine gun fire. Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba who played in the African tournament said: “The World Cup is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate what is great about Africa. We should all work together to make sure the violence that threatened the African Cup of Nations is never repeated.”

Samuel Modiba, proprietor of the Alexandra Ladies FC featured in the above photo, believes there should be a more extensive gun ban in S. Africa: "It's important that guns aren't just banned from football stadiums for the duration of the World Cup. We should work to take them off the streets entirely..."

Africa coordinator for IANSA, James Dube, concurs: "The fact that guns are banned from stadiums for the World Cup is great news. But we really want to see guns banned across the board."

Link to Independent article - IANSA

Apr 12, 2010

Terre'Blanche: homosexual link investigated in killing

A lawyer for the two farm workers accused of killing SA white supremacist Eugene Terre'Blanche, says the AWB leader plied his clients with alcohol and made sexual advances. Lawyer Puna Moroko said "My instructions from my client are that there was some sodomy going on and it sparked the murder of Mr Terre'Blanche. This is going to form part of our defence during trial."

Moroko also added: "It is in the court record that Mr Terre'Blanche bought my client 18 Savannas (cider) and the other accused, who is still a minor, 13 Savannas before driving them to his farm. Mr Terre'Blanche bought himself a bottle of Smirnoff [vodka] at the same liquor store."

South African police have confirmed that a sexual link is among one of a number of allegations being investigated. At the time of the killing it was claimed that a wage dispute had sparked the attack.

Guardian:

Attorney Zola Majavu, acting for the 15-year-old accused, would not comment on the sexual allegations, but said his client "has undergone all the necessary tests that I need to prove his case".

He added: "I have consulted with my client and I am satisfied that something shocking happened on that day. I will disclose fully what my client told me happened during trial."

The homosexual allegations have been rejected by the AWB. SA blogs frequented mainly by whites have comment threads full of disdain for the allegations. A number of commentators suggest the claims have been fabricated. One said that the elderly Terre'Blanche would have had difficulty "getting it up, let alone on".

Rumors have been emerging that depict TerreBlanche as a sexual predator who targeted both white and black youths. One allegation suggests a sadistic streak with claims that he sometimes used a whip on workers when he was drunk.

The Africaans weekly Rapport reported that a teen AWB member was regularly in Terre'Blanche's company. The teen was moved to a "safe house" after he accused Terre'Blanche of sexually abusing him.

New AWB leader, Steyn van Ronge, disputes this version of events and claims that although the pair spent nights alone "in each others arms" at a remote farm, it was only because Terre'Blanche felt sorry for the teen on account of his parents being divorced.

The cottage where Terre'Blanche was discovered bludgeoned with his trousers down to his knees wasn't actually his main residence. It was where he often preferred to stay rather than spend time with his wife and adopted daughter at the family home some 12 miles away.

Bed where Terre'Blanche was killed

Apr 4, 2010

Eugène Terre'Blanche: SA white supremacist killed on farm

Eugene Terreblanche, the face of white extremism in South Africa for many years, has been killed at his farm outside Ventersdorp, about 68 miles northwest of Johannesburg. Two assailants were reportedly involved - a 21-year old man and a 15 year-old boy. The killing appears to have been a result of a wage dispute.

Terreblanche was instrumental in founding the white supremacist organization Africaner Weerstandstandsbeweging (AWB) during the apartheid era. It was recently reactivated in order to push for a secessionist state within South Africa.

In the waning days of apartheid Terreblanche was often seen on TV with his rather ridiculous swastika-like flag in the background. His speeches were often apocalyptic, warning of race war. At times they included odd eclectic borrowings - from ancient history, and Greek philosophy - but it all seemed rather void of meaning. His followers certainly seemed impressed though. Must have been that husky Boer trekker delivery.

He viewed any concessions to Mandela and the ANC as opening the door for communism. In the lead-up to the 1994 elections the AWB engaged in a terror campaign in a last ditch effort to fend off the inevitable. The organization's military incapacity became clear when it launched an invasion of the Bophuthatswana homeland in order to prop up the autocratic ruler of the bantustan. Three AWB fighters were killed within the range of TV cameras. After the botched attempt Terreblanche declared the war over.

Behind the white supremacist rhetoric was a bit of a buffoon who liked to affect the dress and style of a 19th century voortrekker. The director Nick Broomfield captured the unintentionally comical sides of Terreblanche in two documentaries The Leader, His Driver and His Driver's Wife and a sequel titled His Big White Self.

When not appearing in documentaries Terreblanche wasn't beyond making a spectacle of himself - like the time he tumbled off his horse during a parade in Pretoria, likely after a few too many.

The truth is Eugene Terreblanche was a symbol of division and hate. He brutalized others in the course of his life and in the end he himself was brutally killed. President Zuma has described his killing as "a terrible crime" and has called for calm.

For more on the story link to Guardian - Timesonline - BBC - YouTube - Raw Story

Mar 21, 2010

Jub Jub: SA rapper target of outrage

SA rapper Molemo "Jub Jub" Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala have been accused of killing four schoolboys during a drag race in Soweto. The vehicles allegedly driven by the two men lost control and ploughed into a group of schoolchildren.

The court has heard that Jub Jub tested negative for alcohol but positive for cocaine and morphine. The rapper denies he was drag racing or that he was under the influence of illegal substances.

Innocent-until-proven-guilty is the way it should go, but on the streets Jub Jub has already been condemned by the court of public opinion. When the rapper appeared in court this week, thousands of students showed up weilding sticks. They threw stones and attempted to storm the building. A sign read: "Jub Jub must suffer... jail is the best place for you. If you get bail, then run to Paris or die."

Threats were made against ANC youth leader, Julius Malema, because he visited the rapper in jail. A student said: "If Julius Malema continues to visit Jub Jub we are going to follow him to his house and burn it... Why is he visiting Jub Jub in the prison? He is the youth league president, he should be with us, outside."

In South Africa there are huge economic disparities. The gulf between rich and poor is widening. White business people are still top of the heap in many sectors. The average black worker earns significantly less than his or her white counterpart. The affluent lifestyle and "bling" of a tiny minority of black celebrities is a far-cry from the hard bitten lives of kids in Soweto.

The deaths of the schoolchildren is the focus of the protest, but a degree of resentment also underlies the anger directed at Jub Jub and those associated with him.

The court granted bail to the two accused, despite warnings from police that their lives may be in danger.

For more on the story - Al Jazeera - BBC

Also footage of Jub Jub on YouTube - here.

Mar 20, 2010

Sayyed al-Qimni: views angers Muslims

Award-winning Egyptian author and researcher, Sayyed al-Qimni, is no stranger to controversy. He has offended Muslims with his secular views and drawn accusations of blasphemy, even death threats.

The author came under fire recently for suggesting during an interview with an Egyptian TV listings magazine that a religious shrine on Mount Sinai could serve as an alternative destination for pilgrims. He said that there were many poor people in north Africa who couldn't afford to perform the Saudi hajj, and that Sinai would offer a more affordable alternative.

His remarks have sparked controversy because he appeared to be advocating a second Ka'bah on Sinai.

Guardian:

In London the Saudi embassy said: "This is impossible. There can only be one Holy Ka'bah. This is a sacred place, sacred to all Muslims"...

The Association of British Hujjaj, a national organisation for British pilgrims, also condemned the "atrocious proposal" for turning Mount Sinai into a place of pilgrimage and a tourist attraction.

In his Asharq al-Awsat column, Saudi journalist, Muhammad Diyab says that Qimni had "fallen into the abyss" and had "officially moved from the list of fools to the list of madmen".

Qimni denies that he was promoting Sinai as a substitute for Mecca, and claims he was was using the term 'Ka'bah' in a more general sense to indicate a place of spirituality and worship.

"I used the word Ka'bah so it would be more acceptable to Muslims. It is not intended to be a substitute. This would not be an obligation, it would be a choice."

His proposal of Sinai as a pilgrimage destination takes a broad religious view, inclusive of all three Abrahmic faiths. He appears to be advocating a more ecumenical approach rather than a narrow religious agenda. He said: "There is no difference between the religions at that place [Sinai]. Ignoring that place constitutes a great mistake, not only religiously but economically.

The economic incentives are perhaps even more attractive for Qimni than religious considerations. He figures that a Sinai pilgrimage site would generate billions of dollars for his country.

It's a novel idea, but it is also liable to be seen as eccentric even unhinged... especially by devout Muslims who regard the hajj (the Mecca pilgrimage) as the fifth pillar of Islam. In their eyes any alternative pilgrimage site is likely to be seen as divisive, even blasphemous.

The controversy probably won't surprise Qimni. This is the same Sayyed al-Qimni who said: "Islamic scholars do not want the Muslim to use his God-given brain! They want a submissive and obedient Muslim who refers to them in the slightest details of his life."

Sep 2, 2009

Brandon Huntley: South Africa calls Canadian refugee ruling 'racist'

South Africa's ruling party has condemned Canada's 'racist' decision in granting refugee status to Brandon Huntley, a man who claims he was the target of repeated assaults in South Africa because he is white.

Huntley is an unemployed 31-year old who formerly worked as a water sprinkler salesman in SA. He obtained a temporary permit to work as a carnival attendant in Canada. When the permit expired in 2006, he remained in Canada illegally.

Huntley

According to Huntley he was mugged and stabbed on numerous occasions in South Africa by attackers who called him "white dog" and "settler" during the alleged assaults. The attacks are purely Huntley's say-so, because there is no record of them in SA - he never laid any charges with the police. Several residents in the Cape Town suburb of Mowbray where Huntley lived say they have never heard of anyone being called a "white dog" or a "settler."

South Africans who claim they know Mr Huntley on a personal basis have described him as 'a conman.' They claim he had a plan to stay on in Canada after his temporary work visa expired and had decided to play on popular prejudices about South African crime in order to press his case for refugee status.

A South African radio talk-show host told The Times that “The truth will soon come out. He came out with this cock-and-bull story and probably never expected to receive this publicity. There are no records of any attacks and he admits he never reported any of them.”

Ronnie Mamoepa, a spokesman for the Home Affairs department said the SA government was "disgusted" by the Canadian ruling and "preposterous claims" by Mr Huntley.

Brian Sokutu of the ANC said: “We find the claim by Huntley to have been attacked seven times by Africans due to his skin colour without any police intervention sensational and alarming. Canada’s reasoning for granting Huntley a refugee status can only serve to perpetuate racism.”

Given the political implications of this case and the rather sketchy circumstances surrounding Huntley's application, it is all the more surprising that Refugee Board member, William Davis, appeared to have no problem believing that Huntley had been persecuted because of his race, as opposed to simply being a victim of crime.

Davis went further and enlarged the canvas by suggesting that South Africa had failed to protect its white citizens from robberies and muggings - a situation he depicted in alarmist terms as the "persecution" of whites by "African South Africans."

There are a number of misconceptions behind the scenario painted by Davis. Crime in South Africa is a serious problem, but whites aren't the primary victims. The South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) pointed out that "... the vast majority of the victims of violent crime are black." SAIRR further noted that there was no "general pattern of racial attacks on white South Africans by black South Africans."

Davis said that Mr Huntley would "stand out like a sore thumb" in any part of S.Africa because of his skin color - a rather odd statement considering that there are more than 4 million whites in South Africa.

He also said that Huntley would be unable to find employment in SA because affirmative action favors blacks. Statistics paint a different picture. The unemployment rate for blacks in South Africa is 27.9%, compared to whites at 4.6%. Moreover 61% of South Africa's top corporate executives are white men.

The South African government has announced that it will seek a review of the Canadian Refugee Board's decision.

Guardian article - here.

May 29, 2009

Carolyn Forword: white SA actor's refusal to kiss black cast member sparks race row

A race row has erupted in South Africa over the refusal of a white Afrikaans actor to kiss a black cast member during a production of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

Carolyn Forword pulled out of the Cape Town based Riverside Theatre Company's production after 12 performances, leaving another actor to take her place for the remaining 50 shows scheduled.

Forword, 22, was required to lock lips with fellow cast member Unathi Dyantyi in the course of the performance but had a hard time delivering - she even pushed Dyantyi away on occasion. The reasons she gave for her reluctance-to-smooch, was that it was "unhygienic." She also said she thought kissing sent the wrong message to younger audiences.

Carolyn Forword

Not surprisingly, Dyantyi was offended by Forword's attitude, especially the bit about kissing him being "unhygienic". The kiss was simply a lip lock - no tongues involved. He described her comments as racially motivated... an accusation she denies.

He said he was made to feel "like a piece of shit" as a result of Forword's standoffish ways.

Dyantyi made the point that the kiss was integral to the performance. He said it also conveyed a message "that it's OK for different cultures to fall in love. We're a multicultural country and we're trying to convey that."

Unathi Dyantyi

Apparently Forword also had an issue with performing the play at her old school. Dyantyi got the impression that she was less than enthused about the idea because she didn't want her parents seeing her "being kissed by a black dude."

The director Leslie Ehrhardt, 42, said Forword told him that the kissing scene would 'not go down well with my people' - or words to that effect.

Forward attempted to defend her non-compliance on the intimacy front by claiming that kissing was unhygienic since it was 'a traveling show.' She didn't spell out the mysterious connection between locomotion and oral hygiene.

In the opinion of Ehrhardt there was no doubt that there was "a racial element" to Forword's kissing aversion. He noted that she would push Dyantyi away and screw up her face as though kissing him was the worst thing imaginable.

He said the theatre has been a vehicle for challenging racist views in South Africa, and expressed disappointment that an actor like Forword who had grown up in the post-apartheid era should adopt an attitude that led to a "horrible situation."

I suspect there's more to this story than news reports convey. Perhaps Forword is picky about who she puckers up for at the best of times, perhaps she prefers same-sex smooching... who knows. But those who witnessed the incidents have little doubt her actions were motivated by racism.

Presumably when she agreed to take on the role she knew what it involved. Her reasons for not delivering don't come across as terribly convincing. Kids might find kissing - any kissing on-stage - yucky or amusing or even intriguing, but they're not likely to be traumatized by it. What might disturb them more is the sight of Forword screwing up her face and pushing Unathi Dyantyi away with apparent disgust.

A show that was in part about promoting racial harmony has become a talking point for unintended reasons. Forword vehemently denies her actions were racist and is complaining that "now I'm seen as a racist"... if there is something we're not getting in the coverage, she should clarify her position because as it stands more than a few people would add "for good reason."

Guardian story here.

May 10, 2009

Arthur Kemp: BNP activist linked to Chris Hani's killer

Far-right activist Arthur Kemp who runs the British National Party's (BNP) merchandising arm, Excalibur, had a link to the killer of ANC leader Chris Hani.

Hani was gunned down by a Polish anti-Communist named Janusz Walus in the racially mixed suburb of Boksburg, SA, on April 10, 1993. The assassination was part of a right-wing plot to derail the negotiations to end apartheid.

Kemp, along with a number of other people were arrested in connection with the murder.

Kemp was in possession of a list of names that had the appearance of a "hitlist". Nelson Mandela was the first entry, Chris Hani was number three. Information drawn from the list of names was found at the home of Janusz Walus.

Chris Hani

During the trial Kemp admitted to producing the list of names, but denied knowingly supplying a hitlist. He was eventually released without charge. He moved to the UK in 1996.

Kemp joined the BNP and is currently regarded as a key policy adviser to party leader Nick Griffin. He also helps to edit the party's website.

You don't have to look far for evidence of Kemp's racist beliefs. He is the author of March of the Titans: A History of the White Race - a ridiculous book that includes Cro-Magnon Man and Nefertiti as representatives of the white race. Pseudo-scholar Kemp clearly associates whiteness with civilization, and believes that the breakdown in "racial homogeneity" spells the end of his racist version of civilization.

Kemp worked for Die Patriot, a newspaper associated with the extremist South African Conservative party. Articles by Kemp have also appeared on the Stormfront website, run by Don Black, a former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.

According to the anti-fascist website Searchlight, the heaviest traffic to the BNP website comes from South Africa. It says that the BNP is targeting wealthy white South Africans for donations.

Searchlight: "Many of them may be friends and relations of the growing number of South African BNP members, of whom Arthur Kemp, editor of the BNP website and in charge of the ideological training of the party's 250 or so elite activists, is the most prominent."

The BNP has been attempting to present itself as a mainstream party in the run-up to the Euro elections in which the party is hoping to secure its first MEP.

Kemp's connections give the lie to their 'mainstream' aspirations, as do recent racist comments by leader Griffin who said that black and Asian Britons "do not exist" and should be described as "racial foreigners."

Related Guardian article here. Also The Independent here.

Apr 5, 2009

Malawi court rejects Madonna's adoption application

A Malawian court recently rejected Madonna's bid to adopt a child named Chifundo, a name that translates from the Chichewa as "mercy". The court rejected Madonna's application because of her failure to meet residency requirements. She will appeal the decision.

An article in the Guardian titled Hooray for the Malawians who stood up to the Material Girl by Catherine Bennett, addresses some of the issues surrounding Madonna's adoption strategies in Malawi.

Ms Bennett's article provides interesting insights:

Save the Children was more bothered by a personal selection process which appears to be based on surveying the contents of orphanages funded by Raising Malawi, a charity Madonna co-founded with senior members of the kabbalah enterprise. "What Madonna is doing is verging on a puppy parade," said a spokesman. "People like her are looking for the most beautiful child."

Part of the deal when Madonna adopted David Banda was that the child should maintain contact with his biological father. But at their first reunion David didn't even recognize his father and asked "Who are you?".

There are other criticisms also:

Madonna's commitment to "an ongoing relationship with David's Malawian roots" has not, her critics noticed, extended to employing a nanny who could speak to him in the language spoken by his birth family and prospective sister.

There are those who believe that Madonna has been using her celebrity and wealth in order to short circuit the usual adoption procedures.

Mavuto Bamusi, of the Malawi-based Human Rights Consultative Committee described Madonna as a "bully": "She has money, she has status, she is using her profile to manipulate the procedures."

Africa has a troubled legacy of colonialism and throughout recent centuries it has been a target for those who sought to exploit its people and its resources. It's hardly surprising that some react negatively to the spectacle of the Material Girl jetting in on a mission to adopt another child, before jetting out again.

In the case of Mercy James, the child Madonna hoped to adopt, there are living family members who with some modest assistance could raise the girl in Malawi.

Link here for Catherine Bennett's article in the Guardian

Mar 13, 2009

South Africa: lesbians subjected to 'corrective rape'

A report from the international NGO ActionAid, says that horrific assaults against lesbians in South Africa are going unrecognized by the state and unpunished by the legal system. ActionAid backed by the South African Human Rights Commission has condemned what it describes as 'a culture of impunity'.

These crimes received greater attention when Eudy Simelane, a star of South Africa's national female football squad, was gang-raped and viciously beaten and stabbed. Her body was found in a creek in a park in Kwa Thema, on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

Eudy Simelane #13

Campaigners say that the attacks are viewed by the perpetrators as "corrective rape". Research by Triangle, a leading S. African gay rights organization indicates that 86% of black lesbians from Western Cape live in fear of sexual assault. Triangle says it is dealing with up to 10 cases of "corrective rape" every week.

Carrie Shelver of the women's group Powa, a South African NGO, says that the root of the problem "is a macho culture that seeks to oppress women and sees them merely as sexual beings. So when there is a lesbian woman she is an absolute affront to this kind of masculinity".

For more on this story, link to the Guardian here.

Also link to a video here featuring interviews with victims of 'corrective rape'.

Aug 7, 2008

Uganda: gay rights under attack

The LGBT community in Uganda faces widespread discrimination and a reactionary mindset in government. Ethics Minister, James Nsaba Buturo, has referred to homosexuality as "unnatural." He said in 2007 that Uganda would not give equal rights to gays and lesbians. He also said that Uganda had no plans to legalize homosexuality.

In the current climate, it can be risky to be a gay activist in Uganda. Victor Juliet Mukasa, the leader of Sexual Minorities Groups in Uganda (SMUG), had her home raided in 2005. Police took away documents and arrested a guest, who they later forced to strip naked.

Mukassa said of the treatment:

"We were treated in a degrading and inhumane way. Many of us have suffered similar injustice ... We are here today to proclaim that these human rights violations are completely unacceptable. We have had enough of the abuse, neglect and violence."

This treatment on the part of the police is fueled by anti-gay attitudes that go all the way to the top. President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has made his intolerant attitude toward gay rights clear on many occasions. He has warned Ugandans against 'negative foreign cultures' while commending Ugandans for rejecting homosexuality.

In July of this year, the Ugandan police arrested a key Ugandan human rights activist, Usaam Mukwaaya. He was subjected to interrogation and torture in an effort to get him to divulge information about the Ugandan LGBT community. The instrument of torture was a machine that applies extreme pressure to the body, causing pain and making it difficult to breathe.

After the interrogation police drove Mukwaaya from the building where he had been held, and dumped him on the side of the road. Colleagues from SMUG found Mukwaaya in Kampala in a run-down condition - filthy, without shoes and missing some of his clothing.

the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has put out a call asking for friends and partners to condemn the arrest and torture of Mukwaaya and the violation of LGBT human rights in Uganda.

You can fax or email your concern to any of the officials listed beneath:

President Kaguta Yoweri Museveni,
President of the Republic of Uganda,
Office of the President of Uganda,
State House Nakasero,
P.O. Box 24594, Kampala, Uganda.
Fax: +256 (0) 414 436 102 / + 256 41 4235459
/ +256 41 4344012
E-mail: museveni@starcom.co.ug /
aak@statehouse.go.ug

Mr. Livingstone Sewanyana,
FHRI,
Human Rights House,
Plot 1853, Block 15, Lulume Road, Nsambya,
P.O Box 11027,
Kampala, Uganda,
Fax: 256 - 41 - 510498,
E-mail: fhri@fhri.or.ug or fhri@starcom.co.ug

Please send a copy of all e-mails and faxes to IGLHRC Africa Regional Office at
Fax: +27.21.462.3024
E-mail: aro.africa@iglhrc.org (attn: July 08 Uganda Action)

Sep 27, 2007

Archbishop Chimoio: the HIV-infected condoms conspiracy

Archbishop Francisco Chimoio, head of the Catholic Church in Mozambique, believes nefarious European companies are deliberately infecting condoms with HIV in order to “finish quickly the African people”.

Even those of us accustomed to the unreasonable views of the Catholic Church in areas relating to contraception, sat up and took a second look at this.

I’m not sure what Chimoio is smoking, although I gather that Mozambique is famous for its cannabis production especially in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. A famous raid by the authorities in that province netted 12 tons of hashish - enough to keep a large community of Rastafarians extremely happy for years on end.

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

If the Archbishop isn’t toking, then you have to assume he has ulterior motives for making what is after all, an absurd statement. His scare tactics might work though with those members of his community who are less informed about the ways in which condoms are manufactured and the checks-and-balances involved.

So why is he delivering this fantasy with such apparent conviction? It comes back to the conservative views of Africans in areas relating to contraception, sex-before-marriage and homosexuality.

There is a lot of resistance on the part of a large number of African Christians to progressive Western attitudes. Many take the view that promiscuity is given a boost when there is access to condoms. Chimoio obviously believes that scaring the hell out of people will reliably steer them back into the fold.

Not unnaturally Aids activists have been incensed by his remarks - one referring to them as “nonsense”. Archbishop Chimoio believes the way forward in the battle against Aids is abstinence. Studies in the US have shown that abstinence regimens don’t work. Meantime Chimoio is ramping up the paranoia with his favorite conspiracy theory:

"Condoms are not sure because I know that there are two countries in Europe, they are making condoms with the virus on purpose ... they want to finish with the African people. This is the program. They wanted to colonise until up to now. If we are not careful we will finish in one century's time."

Okaaay.