Kollege implies Taaibos are 'Homos'

16/02/2009
RYNO ELLIS

During this year’s Ienkmelodienk
performance on January 27, 2009 Kollege
men’s residence made a very bold statement
about Taaibos men’s residence.

For those who were there, you would have
seen that Kollege first years’ who performed
in this show implied that the Taaibos men’s
residence are “homos” by showing a sign
that said just that. They also had certain
choreographed moves that portrayed Taaibos
as the gay residence at Tuks.
While The Constitution of South Africa
about Human Rights and Freedom says, that
people are allowed the right to freedom of
expression, it also says discrimination against
people because of their sexual orientation is
not allowed.

This leads to the question: was it meant to
offend the gay students at Tuks? When asked
about this Kollege’s HK, Graham Paulsen,
said that it was meant to be offensive only
towards Taaibos and, “it was not intended for
the gay community at Tuks or any visitors on
the evening. We hope that it was not taken that
way, it was done in a comical manner.”
Kollege implies Taaibos are “homos”
He also said that Kollege prides themselves
on controversy and being different at the
university as well as that they embrace change
and accept individuals for who they are.

Taaibos’ HK, Abri van Rooyen said about
the accusation, “We cannot begin to explain
of how little value their [Kollege’s] opinion
means to us.” When asked whether he thinks
this comment was offensive towards the gay
students at Tuks he said, “We can’t make
assumptions on behalf of the gay community
but their Ienk performance did play to
stereotypes quite blatantly.”
Abri also said that the only reason
Kollege gave these false accusations was
an “expression of their own insecurities and
their general lack of ability to think of much
else” and that even though Taaibos “frowns
on homosexuality” they respect individuals’
rights on how they choose to live their lives.

When asked his opinion about the remarks
towards Taaibos, a gay student at Tuks who
asked to remain anonymous replied that:
“I was not offended at all by the sign and
I actually thought it was very funny. The
moves though were maybe a bit too much but
nothing unbearable”.