Nakhane says treatment of LGBT people in Tanzania makes him ‘want to vomit’
The South African actor and singer has stood in solidarity with the LGBT community
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Nakhane has said the treatment of the LGBT community in Tanzania makes him “want to vomit”.
Paul Makonda, Regional Commissioner of Tanzania’s largest city Dar es Salaam, announced that he was creating special squads to catch LGBT people, and encouraged citizens to report people suspected of being gay.
Makonda tweeted last week that “more than 100 gay” people had been reported by their fellow citizens and that authorities would “take action”.
On Tuesday it was reported that 10 men had been arrested in Zanzibar for allegedly being part of a same-sex marriage, and Amnesty International have been working to get the men released.
Now, the openly gay South African singer and actor – who made a name for himself with his ‘controversial’ songs and acting roles including the critically acclaimed The Wound which caused a series of protests in his home country – has stood in solidarity with the LGBT community in Tanzania.
Writing on Instagram, Nakhane said: “Most of the time I am filled with so much rage at how hateful this world can be that I don’t even have the words to express it.
“Because it’s not only rage; it also hurts. I will never understand the wilful, unmotivated hate hate for the other that exists in the world.
“What’s happening in Tanzania makes me want to vomit.”