Peloetletse leads homophobic forum

GALE NGAKANE
Correspondent | Friday December 9, 2011 00:00

He was joined by several subscribers of the social network and some dubbed homosexuality as 'portent'.  Some of these (subscribers) were against Ndadi and BONELA for being pro-gay.  However, some said the constitution of Botswana must be amended so that it caters for all social groups and individuals.

Ndadi and his organisation recently circulated a statement entitled 'The Reasons Why Botswana Cannot Achieve Zero New HIV Infections,' at an HIV/AIDS gathering at which representatives of foreign countries were invited.  The statement advocated for gay rights, condom distribution in prisons and legalising of prostitution.

The vocal Peloetletse threw the gauntlet at Ndadi saying he must be taking paramount chief Kgafela Kgafela's prescription of dagga.  'He's now behaving like he is high on some prohibited drug.  He is on and on about his ill-advised gay rights noise, legalising prostitution and condoms to prisoners to the extent that he misbehaves and fails to give due regard to protocol,' he said.

When questioned as to whether Ndadi was suggesting a wholesome reaction that will contravene existing laws and policies of Botswana he immediately got a response from several members.

Thabo Bullets Marumo in support of Ndadi and BONELA wrote: 'He is doing the right thing.  Like it or hate it that's what he believes in and he stands by it, oppose it if u can or otherwise die criticising!'

Peloetletse went on to point that Ndadi and the people he claims to be advocating for are subject to the laws of Botswana and all its policies.  Government is not going to fall into wholesome reaction that will contravene the existing laws, he wrote.  'The fundamental of democracy is that the people must approve.  Of course, there will always be dissenting voices.  But those are in the minority,' he said.

Kabelo Tseleng, who sounded non-committal wrote: 'But seriously I think people hate homosexuality because we are naturally selfish.  We do not want it done because we find it distasteful.'

This comment was followed by Wame Sehularo's in vernacular: 'Guys tota re batlang mo go bo stabane? Waitse Modimo o re file basadi ba bantle jang (Guys, what is it we want from homosexuals?  You know, God has given us beautiful women) so smooth, soft and sexy, yet re setse (we are following) strong muscles morago (behind). Oh Allah Subhana, please guide us to pass through this challenge and insanity!'

Marumo added that people have a tendency of hiding their feelings using BDP policies.  'If all these things were to be legalised some people are going to be in the forefront of doing them.  There are closet homosexuals in our society.  Some already have brothels and business plans, just waiting for the whistle.'

Peloetletse then asked Marumo if he was suggesting that laws must be contravened just because of people's sentiments.  'Do you know that what Ndadi is advocating for is against the laws of Botswana?' challenged Peloetletse.

Ok Kobe in agreement with Peloetletse was crude in his response when he wrote: 'u knw, thats y we dnt wan them be legalised,..the country will gt f***d in no time.  Big up to domkrag![sic]'

Wame Sehularo figuratively curtsied before Marumo imploringly saying that this is not a BDP policy, but an issue of morality.  'As a democratic nation, we believe in majority rule, thus if a few people are for this so-called homosx compared to those against, I dnt c why u hv 2 point fingrs at Bdp, unless le tsaa spoloitiki sa lona ka 4y. Keraa hela.[sic]'

Peloetletse is popular for defending the policies of the BDP.  Earlier he called radio stations to demand an apology over any broadcast he deems detrimental to the image of the BDP and government.

The discussion went on and below are the rest of the comments:

Kabelo Tseleng: 'Gongwe ga re bue ka se MacD a buang ka sone (Maybe we are not taking about what MacD is talking about).  He keeps talking about Ndadi contravening the laws and policies and his failure to give due regard and protocol. What is he talking about?'

Said Kabo Mokwena: 'We can't force other people how to live their lives behind closed doors. If it wasn't illegal Ndadi won't be advocating 4 it. Lets the constitution make it lawful for anyone to choose his or her sexual orientation[sic].'

Peloetletse: 'Kabo Mokwena, the constitution will have to be amended to accommodate that.  And the majority will have to have approved.  Gago iwe ka maikutlo a sethophanyana sa batho bangwe (Minority views are not considered).'

Duncan Bomu: 'MacD, the laws and policies were done by people looking at the circumstances at the time.  People and circumstances have evolved with time, and it's time for us people to review old laws and policies to accommodate changes.'

Peloetletse: 'Duncan Bomu, until then, the existing laws cannot be contravened.  Until then we all have to abide by what the law currently says.'

Mokwena: 'That is Ndadi's point exactly! until then' is now.  He is not advocating for people to contravene the constitution.  He wants gays to be recognised too so that they do what they are doing now legally.  If the constitution is seen to disadvantage a certain group of our society we should pause and think of the pros and cons of the situation at hand.'

Sehularo: 'Kana ke sone se re se buwang, (That is what were are talking about) even when we review this constitution, that doesn't necessarily mean that it's an obvious case.  Bo 'stabane' ba tlaabo bale on the safe side (Homosexuals will be on the safe side).  This things are debated and, mind you, majority rules.[sic]'Marumo blamed the Botswana government for never consulting 'and wondered whose sentiments are going to be used when there are no gays and lesbians at parliament.'

Sehularo: 'Mapalamente a lona a tlaa le buelela akere Mr Bullets Marumo (Your members will advocate for you). 

Aren't they your representatives?'

Marumo: 'Ha ha ha Wame o e bua okare ke Gay (you talk as if I am gay). Anyway that's what some even think of Ndadi who is advocating for human rights not personal rights.  akere BDP e ya go khokhasa (BDP is going to caucus) and reject the application because party policies dia ba patika (oblige them).[sic]'

Marumo then addressed Peloetletse: 'Mac D, as a health worker I feel bad for ex inmates who through their health history went to prison without HIV but come out pursuing the ARV treatment. I wonder where they got it.

Mind you, as a men sector chairperson, I did campaigns and tests in prisons!'Wame Sehularo: 'Lets not speculate and say BDP`ll caucus against the motion.

Let's wait for the results. But in the meantime let Ndadi and his group knows that we won't just look at them trying to contravene the current legal system.[sic]'

Bakang Bonan' Kolobe: 'Yeah I sympathise with LEGABIBO) and legalise them then Ndadi should ready himself to advocate for the legalisation of cannabis/matekwane/motokwane/weed/holy herb. (For the record, I don't use that stuff. I am just sympathising with those who do. Just like some do for LEGABIBO and prostitutes.[sic]'

Thato Pule: 'Who has ever conducted a referendum to get the views and opinions of Batswana on this issue of gays and lesbians? Gake gakologelwe, (I don't remember). So, you guys stop saying that Batswana do not agree with the existence of these minority whereas our views have not been taken up.  Hao sa ba bate ore wena eseng Batswana coz leare pateletsa. Ga gona ope yo kileng ata are botsa gore ra reng. (If you do not want them, do not include other Batswana, because you will not be telling the truth. No one ever came asked us what we think).

'These people are there amongst us and it's a reality we have to live with. Laws can be amended to accommodate them. Ke Batswana le bone hela jaaka mongwe le mongwe (They are Batswana just like everybody else)'.

The Die Hard: 'A prostitute is a prostitute. Sex worker for what? My foot! Kana haoka bona mo2 a ngakaletse ka sengwe o itse gore sengwe se yapo (If you can see a person staunchly supporting/protecting some things, there is something he/she is hiding).

Kebaabetswe Rammilong: 'People have sex in prisons fact. Homosexuals are there (in prison) fact, prostitution is rampant, fact. So everybody who doesn't see the importance of acknowledging these things and the need to intervene surely must be damn high.'

The Die Hard: Just because people do something, then should it be acknowledged? Should it be legalised? Do people need to be counseled and given the right protocols of living, because it appears that a lot of people are so neglectful nowadays? They tend to admit everything?

These gays are wrong and should be corrected.  What's the difference between what normal people do and what gays do? There is only one defect with gays. What they do else. The rest is the same. Thus, they just need to be guided to the right place.[sic]'

Rammilong: 'If you deal with an intransigent group of people you end up looking at all avenues at your disposal. Do we really need a lecture to understand that prostitution is there, since we can't stop it especially that some of the customers are senior government officials? Why not regulate it? '

Motshidi Malebogo: 'Just because armed robbery is there doesn't mean it should be legalised.'

The Die Hard: 'Tota ke mang yoo reng ga eyo? (Really, who said it not there).  We are saying it's immorality.

Homosexuality is there but it's wrong!  So these people should be rehabilitated!'

Rammilong: 'Armed robbery strips people of their property.  The act involves the participation of a none willing somebody.  Homosexuality doesn't.  Prostitution doesn't.  These are acts of consent. Again, I think it's unfair not to legalise prostitution because the truth is, a good number of love relationships in this country are more of prostitution.

Ke hela gore ba bangwe ba a kolotisa kgwedi ha e hela ba a duela.  Bone ba go bitsa go becha (It's just that some have an account to which they pay money at the end of the month).

You can't go for two months without go becha and still get some stuff. Really prostitution is more than we see on the surface.  It (i)s prevalent in the mansions of the rich.'

Peloetletse: 'Sodomy is a crime, so are you suggesting that prisoners should be allowed to commit a crime in prisons? 'Some people rape, some commit infidelity, incest, fight, etc; should we advocate for the laws that will protect their rights to do so ?'

The Bible says: 'You shall not lie with a male as with a woman.  It is an abomination.  Nor shall you mate with any animal, to defile yourself with it.  Nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it.  It is perversion.'

Rammilong: 'You are being too simplistic.  The starting point is, aren't we aware that people are having sex in prisons.  If we are, then why not give them condoms.  By not giving them condoms aren't we spreading aids that we are so much pretending to fight?

I have earlier said that homosexuality and prostitution are acts that result from consent and the things u noted above are actually violation of another one, it is also unfair to rely on the bible as the moral guiding tool for Batswana because many Batswana only see it at a distance and therefore it will be so difficult to argue that the bible creates the guidance to many Batswana.[sic]'

The Die Hard: 'Kebaabetswe Rammilong gake go utwe sentle ka gay le prostitution.  O a reng? (I do not understand this gay and prostitution.  What are you saying?  Just because people do something at their own will then we should let dem do it?

Kante o kile waya prison wa ya go cheka gor(e) homosexuality e teng? kana o utwa mabarebare? (Have you ever gone to prison to find out if homosexuality is practiced?) What is happening at prison is rape.  People are being raped there.  They do not choose to do it!'

Modd Kaisara: 'let's build prisons that have individual cells. In that way we can limit the sodomy and uphold morality. As for prostitution we might as well legalise it. Homosexuality, I hav never heard anyone being prosecuted for practising homosexuality. A re ba tlogeleng ba direle mo mahihing (Le'ts leave them to do as they wish under the cover of darkness).' 

Rammilong: 'If what is happening in prisons is not homosexuality but rape, then there is even more need to supply them with condoms because it will be even more painful for someone to get AIDS out of an act he didn't consent to.  Peloetletse: Kebaabetswe Rammilong, do you believe in the Bible and God?  Are you aware that issuance of condoms to prisoners will be a temporary solution and a pre-disposing factor to homosexual lifestyle and violent sodomy outside prison life?

'Long-term solution to sodomy in prison will be building of individual cells for prisoners, educating potential sodomisers against the dangers of sodomy, counseling of victims and culprits'. Aubrey Mooketsi: 'Re a go utlwa McD, but the refugees are not entitled to free ARVs yet they are part of our society and most can not afford to even buy grocery. Don't you see this as regression in trying to curb HIV related deaths.'

Peloetletse: 'Aubrey Mooketsi; are we going to break the law just because we have refugees in prison?  What do you say to these suggestions?  Long-term solution to sodomy in prison will be building of individual cells for prisoners.  Educating potential sodomisers against the dangers of sodomy.  Counseling of both victims and culprits.[sic]'