Mixed reactions to decision to ban anti-gay pastor from visiting SA

13 September 2016 - 16:38 By Deneesha Pillay

Reactions varying from “deeply disgusted with our government and media” to “go and spew your hatred in the name of a religion elsewhere” met Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba’s announcement on Tuesday that anti-gay US pastor Steven Anderson has been barred from travelling to South Africa. At a media briefing‚ the minister said that it would be a mistake to simply view Anderson as homophobic; rather he is to be viewed as “anti-human.” The controversial pastor who previously made headlines for praising the mass killings at a gay nightclub in the US‚ said he felt sorry for the people living in South Africa. "I feel sorry for people who live in South Africa‚ but thank God we still have a wide open door in Botswana‚" Anderson said on the Facebook page of his Faithful Word Baptist Church following the minister’s announcement.I have been banned from South Africa AND the United Kingdom. I am not even allowed to have a connecting flight in...Posted by Pastor Steven L Anderson on Tuesday, September 13, 2016"Stand by for reports of MULTITUDES saved in Botswana‚ where religious freedom still exists‚" he added.Some of the Facebook users who commented on Anderson’s post welcomed the minister’s decision‚ however others were disappointed that the pastor would not be visiting the country:Tarryn Candice Kay: “Don't be sorry for us South African's!!! We will all be fine without you. BEST DAY EVER!!!”Lawrence Minnie: “You sir are a bigoted lunatic....go and spew your hatred in the name of a religion elsewhere...”Byron Van Tonder: “I would like to apologise on behalf of every God fearing individual in SA. It’s not easy following Christ but the reward is eternally well worth it. keep up the good work!”Denise Hawes: “I am ashamed to be called a South African. I heard your interview on the radio this morning and am deeply disgusted with our government and media. Don't give up! Although it's all part of the agenda of the NOW.”Ross Adami: “SUCH good news. We don't want you here in South Africa anyway! The rest of the world will soon follow :D”Anderson had also posted on YouTube before the ban was announced, saying that he was already in the country thanks to the Internet.During his announcement‚ Gigaba said that it “is common cause” that Lesbian‚ Gays‚ Bisexual‚ Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) persons‚ not only in South Africa‚ but worldwide‚ face “daily atrocities” for defining their identity; including ridicule‚ abuse‚ bullying‚ homophobia‚ brutal assault and rape.Video posted to YouTube by SABC Digital News.“South Africa has to work towards reaching its constitutional values‚ to build a democratic‚ united‚ non-racial‚ non-sexist and prosperous state.“I have informed the DG and I have identified Steven Anderson and members and/or associates of his church as undesirable persons.“Furthermore‚ I have withdrawn their visa exemption stations‚ enjoyed by all Americans‚“This is on the basis that I am certain they promote hate speech as well as advocate social violence‚” Gigaba said.After the announcement‚ Hendrik Baird from Gay SA Radio‚ said that the decision taken by the minister was “a giant step forward” and “sends a clear message to the world” that the country will not tolerate hate against the LGBTI community .“We are proud that our government has today sent a strong message to its citizens and the world that LGBTI people are as much South Africans as anybody else.“That we are deserving of the same rights and respect as everybody else.“By denying this group of people who have nothing but hate towards the LGBTI community‚ a foothold in this country‚ we are the shining example that the world will not come to an end when to people of the same sex love each other‚ get married‚ have children and live their lives like normal people‚” Baird said.According to Gigaba‚ Anderson was meant to be accompanied by 17 other associates‚ however‚ they too have been banned from entering the country.“These interventions will not be the panacea to our social shortcomings‚ of prejudice and discrimination.“They will however provide us an opportunity to learn‚ or better yet‚ unlearn our own bigoted views and hateful beliefs.“South Africa has its own mending to do; we do not need more hatred advocated to our people‚” Gigaba said.In the weeks prior to the announcement Anglican archbishop emeritus Njongonkulu Ndungane had joined the chorus of those calling on government to deny entry to Anderson. Ndungane made the call after Anderson went on a rant about Gigaba — which he pronounces as Jigaba — calling him a “joke” and a “sodomite” in a video broadcast.When asked if he took offence to these comments‚ Gigaba said that he did not."This matter points sharply to the need for more advocacy‚ sensitisation‚ and awareness-raising on gender identity‚ sexual orientation and on other discriminatory social hatreds."Constitutional and legislative guarantees are in place‚ but must be respected by all‚ including the rights of LGBTI persons‚" Gigaba said...

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