QWELANE PROTEST FOR FRIDAY

Cape Town Pride will host a protest this week against the appointment of Jon Qwelane as South Africa’s high commissioner to Uganda.

The organisation has invited groups and individuals who are “distressed and angered” by Qwelane’s appointment to join them in the peaceful protest, which will take place on Friday 12 February outside Parliament (Plein Street) from 1pm.

Organisers say that a document will be handed over to a representative of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. They have also called for participants to bring placards, completed petitions and water.

Qwelane is being sued by the SA Human Right Commission in the Equality Court over his 2008 anti-gay article published in the Sunday Sun.

Human rights activists have expressed alarm that the homophobic journalist will represent South Africa in a country which is embroiled in controversy over proposed new extreme anti-gay laws.

For more information about the protest contact Laura Aukamp on 072 512 1886 or Glenn de Swardt on 021 425 6463.