'We don't want this nonsense'

2006-10-03 21:19

Nelspruit - Most people in Mpumalanga are opposed to gay marriages and believe that they will provoke violent retribution from God.

Only one of an estimated 350 people who attended a public hearing on South Africa's proposed Civil Union Bill in Nelspruit supported the concept of gay marriages.

A parliamentary portfolio committee on home affairs recorded the peoples' comments during a public meeting in the provincial capital last Thursday.

"It is not surprising that only a few or one person would speak in support of it, because we will always be in the minority," said Davie Nel spokesperson of the Gay and Lesbian Organisation (GLA) on Tuesday.

"South Africa as a whole is very conservative and homophobic."

Most participants at the public hearing in Mpumalanga argued vehemently against the legalisations of gay marriages.

'Kills African traditions'

"This bill will kill all African traditions and customs," argued Sicelo Nkosi on behalf of the provincial house of traditional leaders. "We will also not (conduct marriage ceremonies) for these people. How do you marry a man and a man, who then becomes the woman?"

He expressed concern that the public may not have had enough time to read through the document before making comments.

"(Mpumalanga's house of traditional leaders) weren't involved in the drafting of the bill, which undermines our role in society. Worst of all the majority of our communities are not aware about this bill," said Nkosi.

Although Nkosi spoke against the bill he said he believed parliament would pass the bill in any case.

"It really does not matter what the public thinks. As you can see, people from Mpumalanga don't want the bill but it will be shoved down their throats," he said.

Another outspoken person was Amos Maziya.

"We don't want this nonsense in our country. The ruling party must remember that God made things the way they are for a reason," he said "God will burn all those that act against his will and marry the same sex."

He also said legalising "vat en sit" relationships would encourage men not to pay their lobola. "Vat en sit" relationships are when couples lived together without getting married.

Only one person supported the new bill, arguing that it was a constitutional right.

The bill details how gay marriages will be registered at the department of home affairs, how children should be treated and how such marriages would be terminated.

Mpumalanga is the fourth province to be visited by the committee.

Committee chairperson Patrick Chauke said he was impressed with the turn-out.

He declined to comments on the opinions raised at the hearings held in Gauteng, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal.

"That information will be in our report to parliament," he said.

Chauke dismissed claims that the public was not given enough warnings about the hearings.

- African Eye