EFF TO HOLD MINORITY GROUPS SEMINAR

Advocate Dali Mpofu will be the guest speaker at a Minority Groups Seminar, hosted by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party.

Mpofu is at the top of the EFF’s Gauteng provincial nomination list for the May 7 elections.

The seminar, which will include issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, is scheduled to take place on Tuesday (1 April) at the Easy Hotel (90 De Korte Str Braamfontien) at 5.30pm.

In addition to LGBTI people, the seminar will also address people living with disabilities; women; children and elderly people; minority races including white, Indian and coloured people; and people living with HIV/AIDS, TB and chronic illnesses.

“The EFF is against the oppression of anyone based on their gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation, meaning that we are against patriarchy, sexism, and homophobia in all of its manifestations,” said the party’s Cameron Modisane.

“We are also against tribalism and religious and cultural intolerance. We oppose any cultural or religious practices that promote the oppression of anyone, especially groups that have been historically oppressed by such practices.”

Modisane said that the party had an obligation and duty to focus on these matters on an ongoing basis, stating that “the current regime has displayed a cold and callous disregard for the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.”

He commented that political parties do not always recognise the importance of minority groups and gender and sexual rights and said that the “EFF plans to fill that gap” through its “Minority Group Forum.”

The party, which appears to be courting the gay vote ahead of the elections, invited anyone who may be affected or who sympathises with sexual minority groups to attend the seminar.

In November last year, controversial EFF head Julius Malema urged South Africans to “love gay people… it’s their choice”. He went on to say: “We love all the gay people in South Africa and the world.” In December, the party issued a statement condemning the passage of anti-gay legislation in Uganda.

For more information on the EFF seminar, contact Zimkhitha Mgojo on 061 192 6479 or via khitha212@gmail.com.