South African media personality and YouTuber Lasizwe Dambuza is under fire from the LGBTQI+ community after announcing an Awkward Date episode featuring Ugandan journalist Simon Kaggwa Njala.
Because of Njala’s contentious past, the announcement, which was made on Tuesday via Lasizwe’s African Channel Network Instagram account and featured promotional images, immediately caused outrage.
During an interview with a Ugandan named Pepe in 2019, Njala made headlines by asking: “Why are you gay?”
This question was widely criticised for reinforcing homophobic narratives in Uganda, where the LGBTQ+ community faces severe persecution, including violence and displacement.
Slap in the face
Members of South Africa’s LGBTQI+ community have labelled the decision to feature Njala on Lasizwe’s show, known for its light-hearted and comedic format, as “inconsiderate” and a “slap in the face”.
Social media, particularly X, has been a focal point for the backlash.
One user wrote: “Lasizwe lives with relative safety as a gay man in South Africa, while queer Ugandans face life-threatening persecution. Platforming Njala is tone-deaf.”
Another questioned whether the promotional images were authentic and criticised the move for trivialising serious issues for entertainment.
The sentiment expresses profound disappointment in Lasizwe, a well-known queer leader who has fought for LGBTQI+ rights, including inclusion talks at Pride Month events.
Lasizwe has been involved in controversy before.
Following his support for Zimbabweans on X and his calls for queer awareness education in schools in 2020, he was subjected to homophobic taunts.
These events brought attention to the continuous fight for LGBTQI+ acceptance in South Africa and throughout the continent.
Advocacy work compromised
Critics contend that because of the journalist’s connection to homophobic discourse, Lasizwe’s choice to feature Njala compromises his advocacy.
Lasizwe has not yet responded to the criticism in public, and it is still unknown if the episode will air as scheduled.
The controversy brings up more general issues regarding public figures’ accountability when endorsing people with controversial pasts, especially when it comes to marginalised communities.
Lasizwe told Sunday World that the episode of Akward Dates would still air Thursday as scheduled.
