Govt Condemns Ngizwe Mchunu’s Anti-LGBTQIA+ Remarks, Refers Matter to SAHRC

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has strongly condemned recent comments made by artist Ngizwe Mchunu, who in a video circulating on social media denounced same-sex marriages and urged queer people to leave South Africa.

Deputy Minister Steve Letsike described the remarks as deeply offensive, reckless, and dangerous, stressing that they undermine South Africa’s constitutional democracy and human rights framework.

Defending Constitutional Rights

Letsike reminded South Africans that the country’s Constitution remains one of the most progressive in the world, guaranteeing equality, dignity, and freedom for all people — regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

“South Africa’s democracy is anchored in the values of equality, human dignity, and freedom. Attacks on queer persons are attacks on the very heart of our constitutional promise,” she said.

The Deputy Minister noted that the Civil Union Act of 2006, which legalised same-sex marriage nearly two decades ago, stands as a milestone in the country’s commitment to justice, equality, and inclusivity.

“Marriage equality is not a privilege but a constitutional right,” Letsike emphasised, underscoring that the Constitution itself is an intersectional document, born out of South Africa’s struggles against racism, patriarchy, and inequality.

Referral to Human Rights Commission

The Ministry has formally referred Mchunu’s comments to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for investigation. The SAHRC, a Chapter 9 institution, has a constitutional mandate to protect and advance human rights and is expected to assess whether the remarks amount to hate speech under South African law.

Letsike warned that hateful rhetoric often paves the way for violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals, who already face discrimination, exclusion, and physical threats in many communities.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the comments made by Mr Mchunu, because they are not only reckless, but also dangerous. They endanger the lives of LGBTQIA+ persons who already live under constant threat,” she said.

A Call for Leadership and Solidarity

Beyond condemning the comments, Letsike urged leaders across society to stand up against homophobia. She appealed to faith leaders, traditional leaders, artists, educators, politicians, and community representatives to use their voices responsibly to dismantle discrimination rather than reinforce it.

“Silence is complicity, and we must all refuse to be complicit in hate,” she said. “Soft violence — the words, jokes, and comments that demean, exclude, and incite hatred — is never harmless. It corrodes dignity, normalises discrimination, and lays the foundation for physical violence.”

Government’s Broader Commitment

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to advancing equality and building a South Africa where diversity is celebrated and no one is left behind. Efforts continue to focus on education, community outreach, and legislative protection to ensure inclusivity in every sphere of society.

“Equality must be lived in every home, school, workplace, and cultural space,” the Deputy Minister stressed, noting that government policies are aligned with global human rights frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The Road Ahead

The incident has sparked widespread debate, with human rights organisations and LGBTQIA+ advocacy groups expected to issue formal responses in the coming days. The SAHRC’s investigation could also set an important precedent for how hate speech against vulnerable communities is addressed in South Africa’s democratic system.

As the issue unfolds, government leaders insist that the message must be clear: South Africa belongs to all who live in it, without exception, and hate-fuelled rhetoric has no place in a constitutional democracy.