Nairobi — Botswana's former president Festus Mogae yesterday said African governments and leaders must not enact laws that criminalise homosexuality and sex work, warning that such legislation would inhibit the fight against HIV/Aids.
Mr Mogae, who chairs a team dubbed 'Champions of an HIV-Free Generation' that comprise prominent African anti-Aids activists, told Zambian President Rupiah Banda at State House in Lusaka that homosexuals and sex workers were part of society and they should not be stigmatised or discriminated.
Mr Mogae said he had written to some African Presidents, without mentioning names, who wanted to pass laws to criminise homosexuality, advising them not to do so.
The former President, who explained that he is heterosexual, said in Botswana homosexuality was illegal but he had been engaging the government to repeal the law that criminalises homosexuality.
Due to his advocacy, Mr Mogae said "nobody has been prosecuted over the last three years" for being homosexual.
And President Banda, whose government is anti-gay rights, accused the foreign donors were making youths believe that "homosexuality is a human right and that if you appear to speak against it then you are a reactionary and you don't understand the world".
Without categorically backing Mr Mogae's position, President Banda said to "hear it from the position of the Champions in the fight against Aids then you understand why we should not criminalise them [homosexuals], understand them and at the same time try and sensitize our young people" about homosexuality.
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It is logical. Why embarrass his successor? What goes around comes around. This octogenarian is a shrewd man who does not want to meddle in people's private lives. But it would be prudent for him to tell his successor to take a wife and get children like the Barsawa people he so ignorantly denies access to water.
We "Africans and Africa" must realize that HOMOSEXUALITY is a dangerous behaviour and does reduce production. Furthermore, Homosexuality isn't/wasn't in any form part of our African traditions, societies, norms, believes nor a way of our "African" life and therefore, it MUST be wipe out from Africa. Homosexuality brings nothing but devastation just like witch craft . If we "Africans and Africa" truely want to develop, we must stay away from negativities; and not allow any negativities from others and our enemies to be imbeded in us "Africans". Why? Because we "Africans" must stop accepting other cultural negativities and show a true and genuine role model to our future generation, not such negativities as HOMOSEXUALITY. Why? Because as always and has histories have been casted and treated us, when ever a negative ideas are brought up in the world, Africans and Africa end be the victims. For example, where did the first point hands to when HIV/AIDS were discovered?? Where?? Therefore, negativities must not be African cultures.
I totally agree with Mr Festus Mogae that African leaders should not criminalize homosexuality because those who suffer from the disease would certainly not come forward for treatment in fear of prosecution. There is one thing that most of you are missing and that is HIV/AIDS is mostly spread through heterosexuality. Yes, our heterosexual brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, cousins, sons and daughters and with some of you, yourselves. Those of us who are all holier than thou throwing stones at homosexuals, are the ones spreading this disease at much greater numbers because we have no control. We are just like the rest of the animal kingdom - when the urge comes, we have sexual relations bedding whom ever. Is it any wonder so many heterosexuals are infected and in spite of standing in the same line as homosexuals for treatment, we still think just because we are heterosexual we better. Well I have news for all - we are not so stop this discrimination.
With due respect Mr. Mogae, Man and woman co-exist for reasons that homosexuals are giving. It makes n sense to be a homosexual. Should donors hold us at ransom because of human indiscipline after all their wealth is a product of Africa's sweat! I strongly say NO to homosexuality.
" It makes no sense to be a homosexual." Sure. That is how most heterosexuals feel especially those of you in Africa where such citizens are being treated as those who suffer from Hansen's disease or leprosy. In both cases there is extreme ignorance but I can understand why people would be phobic about Leprosy because it is a disease and until now the Mycobacterium Leprae and M. Lepromatosis were not fully understood. Homosexuality is NOT a disease but a condition that children are born as. The state of being gay has existed from time memorial and most adults will tell you that they realized that they were "different" from as an early age as five years of age. So what is this homophobia about? It is those who say homosexuals engage " in an abnormal sexual act," but is an oral sexual act engaged by heterosexuals "a normal" act? What about other sexual acts through the use of manufactured gadgets used by heterosexuals? Is that "normal?" Heterosexuals are contaminating each other with HIV/AIDS and spreading it around in greater numbers. So who is better than the other? Heterosexuals do not throw stones.
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