Following a decision by the Minister of Religious Affairs to condemn a TV series that shows LGBTQIA friendly content, a Zambian gay rights activist of note has challenged the Minister to leave the show alone.
Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance Reverend Godfridah Sumaili went on record in the last few days. She shared thoughts on the newly premiered Zambezi Magic reality show Lusaka Hustle that features a character allegedly exhibiting gay tendencies.
Lusaka Hustle Show features Cleo the Queen, Kuni and Thandi, and tells their daily hustles as they try to strike a balance between celebrity and family life.
Regardless, Jesus Cares Ministries founder Rev. Sumali voiced strong condemnation and clearly stated that the private pay-television MultiChoice should stop airing the program that allegedly promotes immoral behaviour.
“This show should stop immediately. Our stand as a Christian nation is clear and the laws of the land speak louder,” she said.
Several stakeholders were less thrilled with what the Christian minister said and had since spoken out. Among them were homosexual rights advocate Paul Kasonkomoma.
Kasonkomoma said the minister was showing smacks of double standards as she was quick to shoot down at Lusaka Hustle Show and MultiChoice while turning a blind eye on the National HIV/AIDS Council (NAC).
NAC, he alleges, also works in the promotion of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual or allied community as it is funding several local organisations using donor funds to promote the rights of the Rainbow community.
“I Challenge the Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance to shut down the National HIV/AIDS Council that employs and/or houses gay persons to conduct LGBTI activities or leave Kuni alone,” he said.
He added,
“She too must explain how the Minister of Health allowed the Zambia to accept millions of Dollars for the same purpose.”
The activist who was acquitted by Lusaka Magistrate Court in 2014 on charges of “soliciting for immoral purposes” after arguing for gay rights on a Muvi TV show in April 2013, went further to state other organisations that he suspects are working to fight same-sex relationships stigmatisation.
“Before Kuni (the gay actor in the show) is crucified, Honourable Sumaili should ask the National HIV AIDS Council, the Ministry of Health, FHI360 and University of Maryland what the following organizations do. 1. Friends of Rainka 2.Lotus Identity 3. Transbantu Association Zambia and 4. Women’s Alliance.”
Other actors have also weighed in their thoughts on the reality show’s backlash.
American-based actor Patrick Shumba defended the producers of Lusaka Hustle and accused Zambian authorities of hypocrisy.
“Those that petitioned the removal of Lusaka Hustle must’ve never watched anything Tyler Perry, CNN, Idols and so many more. My thing is, I don’t care what your beliefs may be but if you must judge, please be fair in your discrimination.
Don’t hate one thing and tolerate another. I’m sure the Sin is Sin saints will flood this post and my inbox. Since you let the other sinners get away with their sins and way of life, leave that guy/girl alone. Only God should be the judge…
What morals? Just relax and let those young people do what they do, make money and live their lives in peace.”
The Zambezi Magic Network had also vindicated its show, laying the blame on social media.
Mr Timothy Okwaro, the Head of Zambezi Magic, expressed regret about a social media post, which he says has misrepresented the content of the show.
“Lusaka Hustle is a locally produced reality show which follows the lives of three Zambian celebrities who regularly appear on television. The suggestion that the show advocates or promotes any particular lifestyle is an unfair misrepresentation,” he said.
He added that Zambezi Magic is deeply respectful of Zambian laws and culture.
Despite its creative justification, the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has directed Multichoice Zambia to suspend the Hustle Reality Show with immediate effect, noting that it promotes a lifestyle contrary to Zambian values and culture.
IBA Director General Josephine Mapoma said the authority has received several concerns from the public, regarding the show, and as such directed Multichoice Zambia to withdraw it, in public interest.
“Section 24(1) of the IBA (principal) Act,2002 provides that all programmes by a commercial broadcasting service shall, subject to the conditions of a license and regulations of the authority-(a) reflect the culture, character, needs and aspirations of the people in the areas they are licensed to serve,” she said.
Ms Mapoma has urged the producers of local content to produce that which reflects the Zambian culture, as well as take into, the Zambia laws.
While the climate in some Western countries is accommodative to members of the LGBTQ+ community to openly express who they really are and how they identify, the issue is not so ripe in most African countries.
In Zimbabwe, homosexuality is constitutionally banned, owing much to the natives’ religious nature and generally conservative belief system.
Former President Robert Mugabe once said gays were “worse than pigs and dogs”.
The new President Emmerson Mnangagwa told CNN in an interview in 2017 that,
“in our constitution, it is banned and it is my duty to obey my constitution”
as he refused to state what his opinion was on the matter.
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