Religious freedom was the winner this week as University of Cape Town Vice Chancellor Dr Max Price ordered that “expelled” SRC Vice President Zizipho Pae be reinstated and DA MP Marius Redlinghuys apologised to her for comments he made to her in response to her Facebook post reacting critically to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the USA.
Price who last week condemned intimidation of Pae by offended LGBTQIA+ protesters announced this week that Pae’s expulsion at a chaotic SRC meeting onJuly 21 was procedurally invalid. He consulted the Constitutional Court and the UCT Faculty of Law after Pae asked him to review the SRC decision, saying that in the absence of appropriate steps she would take the matter to court.
Redlinghuys today apologised to Pae for his series of comments on Pae’s Facebook page which he says were not intended to cause any harm, reports the Cape Times. Redelinghuys’s apology followed a meeting last night with DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen whose intervention followed a call by the Christian View Network for the DA to dismiss Redelinghuys for “a long series of mocking, insulting and other pro-homosexual messages which amount to harassment” and a call by the ACDP for the MP to apologise for his remarks.
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Making his apology today, Redelinghuys said: “I hold that freedom of expression and freedom of opinion, belief and conscience are fundamental and inviolable Constitutional rights afforded to every person.
“I also hold that our constitution provides for the right to be and live the life we value, gay or straight.
“While I differ significantly with Ms Pae’s views I respect her right to hold them and to express them freely…”However if Ms Pae felt my remarks were harmful, abusive or , I apologise. This was not my intention.”
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Freedom of Religion of SA spokesman, Advocate Nadene Badenhorst, said on behalf of Pae: “FOR SA respects Mr Redelinghuys’ rights to choose his beliefs and the life he wants to live, and is grateful for his acknowledgement that we live in a pluralistic society where people should be respectful, accommodating and tolerant of each others differences,” reports the Cape Times.
Meanwhile, despite the setting aside of the invalid expulsion of Pae from the SRC, SRC President Ramabina Mahapa told the Cape Times the SRC sticks with its reasons for expelling her. He said the SRC supports the “queer community” and condemns Pae for inflicting hurt by her conduct.
Pae’s Facebook post on June 28 “We are institutionalizing and normalizing sin. May God have mercy on us” sparked a storm of protest from the LGBTQIA+ community at UCT including vandalisation of her office and a barrage of vitriolic and intimidatory remarks directed at her.
Badenhorst condemned the SRC’s failure to accept responsibility for the invalid expulsion of Pae and said:”It is clear the SRC is not an environment where difference of belief and opinion is welcomed or accommodated.
“As such the SRC is not representative of the pluralistic nature of our society and also does not hold true to the values of our constitution.”
Pae told LifeSiteNews this week: “My biggest regret is that I have lost friends within the LGBT community. … Homophobia is the hatred or the fear of someone because of their homosexuality.” This does not describe her views at all, she said. “We need to draw a line between homophobia and being a Christian.”
She said: “The fact that I was kicked out at the request of a group of 50 people says a lot of about the strength of democracy on campus.”
She said though tiny, the campus’ “Queer Revolution” has dominated campus discourse all year with its “transformation” agenda. They have even proposed a “Transform Religion” initiative aimed at re-educating Christian and Muslim students about the morality of homosexuality. Lately they are even offering counselling to anyone “traumatised” by the Pae controversy.
Pae said she was disappointed that Christians on campus, who she believed greatly outnumbered the homosexual lobby, had not come to her defence publicly. “Christians are too quiet.” She said the controversy had strengthened her faith. “I’ve seen on a small scale what persecution of Christians is like. People are offended by Christianity and offended by the Gospel. But I’ve seen the Lord’s faithfulness. He has sustained me.”
All thanks and praise goes to Him! Jesus our Messiah and King – Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!
Praise the LORD, His love is eternal!
Pae is an example to me. To take a stand and be counted for what is clearly a Biblical principle is commendable and to be supported.
The truth in love sets free and empowers, Paw I believe God is well pleased with you!
Glory belongs to our Redeemer and King. Well done Zizipho,stand strong my sister.
WHO IS THE OFFENDED PARTY HERE? In society, irrespective of religious beliefs, MARRIAGE has always been accepted as being between a man and a woman. The people who differ, have now crossed a line that has been an acceptable norm in society throughout history. Peter Throp ( Value Life)
Thank God for a good outcome. Though it was painful, Zizi has led the way in forcing the issue of true Freedom of Religion to the forefront of public discourse. Heterophobia (like homophobia) is now recognised as wrong. Freedom of religion and belief are now recognised as right. This was a battle worth fighting! Thanks to all who stood for the Truth! God bless and encourage you.
All Glory and Honour to God.
Glory be to the Almighty Jesus,he is a great God,a God able to do all things,a God who never fails,the creator of all things.Zizipho you did a good thing,standing up for God,even when you faced difficult situations,situations that would have caused you to change your identity in Christ,but you stood up for who you are and when you fight for God’s word,he stands by your side and support you,and when God is in your side you never fail,Shadrack,Misheck and Abednigo stood up for who they were and prospered,keep up what you doing and God will always prospers you. 1Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it”.May the Almighty Jesus bless you in abundance.
All the glory to His Majesty Jesus Christ
I am overjoyed that God has vindicated you. It is really saddening that the SRC takes such a stance whilst their role is to be all inclusive. It’s also a pity that we allow minority voices to bulldoze us in this way. But nonetheless, it’s people like you lady that we need to stand up and assist us Christians to start conversations and have courage to stand for our values. Thanks to the FOR, job well done. Now we know where to run. Keep up the good work.
I thank God for His Faithfulness.
The scary thing is that the Christian community on Campus which is, as Pae herself said, in the majority, failed to have the backbone to stand up in her support. Polite disagreement with the LGBT agenda is not homophobia, but the persecution that poor Zizipho had to endure from that lobby is “Christophobia” at its worst; but no-one has accused them of prejudice! Christ was right when He said that in the last days there will be a great falling away…
Editor
Even though am delighted at the instruction by the UCT’s accounting officer to the SRC to reinstate Zizipho- we have to arrest the excitement for the SRC still holds on into its position.This intransigency and complete disregard of the instruction is a desease that is going to eat at our society if its not stopped.
We see this propensity in government- Inkandla report a case in point.After 2007 when President Mbeki was removed this sickness emerged.Even in parliament- the speaker would order members to stop but go on and on with insults as if parliament works without rules.
The SRC must execute the order otheriwse it will create a precidence.Christians must stand up and fight for what is right.Biblical principles which were first given to Jews are also written in the hearts of the gentiles therefore they must be defended without fear or favour.