Podcast and Chill host DJ MacG continues to be at the centre of heated social media debate as more Mzansi celebrities weigh in on the “transphobic slurs” made on his YouTube show.
The podcaster caused an uproar on social media on Tuesday for his comments about the LGBTQI+ community after he seemingly mocked transgender women. MacG and his co-host Sol Phenduka were chatting about their “confusion and misunderstandings” regarding the LGBTQI+ community.
Following the outrage their conversation sparked, MacG and his co-host were lambasted and have since lost one of their podcast sponsors, Old Mutual, as a result.
In a statement shared on Twitter, Old Mutual said it was aware of the discussion on MacG's podcast and as a responsible business that fully respects the rights of everyone, it had decided to terminate its relationship with the former radio host with immediate effect.
“We distance ourselves from the harmful comments against the LGBTQI+ community and humanity at large.”
The company said MacG's commentary was both “ignorant and insensitive”.
Meanwhile, some of his fans insist that the outrage stems from jealous people who want to censor MacG.
However, there weren't many people who agreed with or supported the DJ, as the consequences of his comments haunted him live on the TL.
One of MacG's recent celebrity guests, actress Pearl Thusi, seemingly retweeted posts that supported MacG.
Twitter dragged the good sis hard for the RTs and she's since deleted them.
Others, such as Jackie Phamotse, disagreed with “Black Twitter's” aim to “hurt him where it hurts”, through “making” him lose sponsors by tagging them on social media.
Dear @OldMutualSA you are not fixing the problem here. MacG should be educated , not thrown under the bus. You have the power to bring in experts and help others who need equal education. The podcast holds certain standards and their content is open ended. Find better ways
— Jackie Phamotse (@JackiePhamotse) January 26, 2021
Most of Mzansi's famous faces were not having any of MacG's “transphobia” and they made sure to call him out.
People such as actress Linda Mtoba, TV presenter Lumko Johnson, singer Toya Delazy, DJ Olwee and Simphiwe Dana were among many celebs who shared their opinions on the heated TL discussion.
“Homophobia is not for heterosexuals to deem as it is or isn’t. There’s no joke or misunderstanding when ppl lives are at risk, everyday. Learn to shut the f**k up sometimes,” Linda said.
“They’ve been calling us these terms in their circles, over hubbly and chats. Why aren’t they educating each other in those conversations? They can correct one another over soccer stats but they can’t tell their mate to stop using certain terms? Suddenly it needs a tutorial? FOH,” Lumko added.
Here are the rest of the tweets:
When children aren’t taught about racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism or other oppressed minority groups, they grow up thinking poking fun at these communities is harmless Fun. For those of us that have experienced the cruelty of the ignorance - it's never FUNNY.
— AFRO-RAVE ☥ (@ToyaDelazy) January 26, 2021
Dear MacG
— Bev (@bevditsie) January 26, 2021
Your freedom stops where mine begins.
Your jokes are a matter of life or death for me and those like me.
It's as simple as that
They’ve been calling us these terms in their circles, over hubbly and chats. Why aren’t they educating each other in those conversations? They can correct one another over soccer stats but they can’t tell their mate to stop using certain terms? Suddenly it needs a tutorial? FOH
— 🎬🎥📱📻🎭📿 (@LumkoJohnson) January 26, 2021
There’s no joke or misunderstanding when ppl lives are at risk, everyday.
— Linda Mtoba (@Linda_Mtoba) January 26, 2021
Learn to shut the f!ck up sometimes.
To be more specific, dear cis-gender/ cis-het people. And further more, I am happy to talk and share thoughts as long as we keep the language in the spirit of LOVE🖤
— Thandiswa Mazwai (@thandiswamazwai) January 26, 2021
