Zodwa Wabantu’s comment on ‘gay people’ causes commotion on social media
A petition has been started calling for her show to be cancelled.
Zodwa Wabantu. Picture: Instagram/ Zodwa Wabantu
South Africans have taken to social media to question Zodwa Wabantu’s comments on the conduct of homosexuals following Saturday night’s episode of her reality TV show Zodwa Wabantu: Uncensored. While she was turning heads at the Durban July with her dress, her episode was airing, leaving some viewers questioning whether she had just exposed her alleged homophobia.
As she was highlighting the stereotypical characteristics of homosexual men, Zodwa said: “Gay people are naughty. Name a gay person in the industry who has never fought with a girl. They are convinced that they have a vagina, they have a penis. We have vaginas. We accommodate you guys so that you feel that you get to wear makeup. When we talk about me, you’ll get a chance too.”
The social media streets have not been kind to her following the comments.
Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela wrote: “You teach people how to treat you. Ya’ll worship hetero celebs too much! We are the only country in the world that has a LGBTQI awards event that literally serves to praise straight people for just being famous. People who have done nothing for the community. And you ban gays!” While actor Nokuthula Mavuso said: “Before a show goes on air, the tape goes through so many people for approval. Nobody, absolutely nobody thought ‘this is not it,’? @MojaLoveTv and Zodwa Uncensored should also be called out.”
However, there were those who defended Zodwa Wabantu, listing her carefree personality and “limited vocabulary” as possible contributors to her uncensored comment, which did not necessarily mean she was homophobic, they argued.
Twitter user @SinazoNcanywa wrote: “When it comes to racism and homophobia in this country people are quick to react. I don’t think Zodwa is homophobic she just made an [insensitive] remark as far as gays are concerned,” while @NdlunkuluBae said: “Lol ba painelwa. She spoke the truth moes (sic). I don’t see anything wrong with what she said and there was no hate speech whatsoever #ZodwaUncensored.”
These were some of the reactions on social media:
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