Battle of Beliefs: Chiwenga Labels Scholarship Targeting Gays and Lesbians a National Threat
The government of Zimbabwe through Acting President Constantino Chiwenga, has expressed strong disapproval of a scholarship program launched by the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ).
GALZ recently introduced the Munhu Munhu Scholarship, targeting members of the LGBTI community in the country.
Scholarship Details and Eligibility
The scholarship targets individuals aged 18-35 who identify as LGBTI and are currently enrolled at a Zimbabwean State University with at least one completed semester.
In an official statement, the government of Zimbabwe criticized the scholarship, deeming it illegal, unaligned with Christian principles, contrary to Zimbabwean values, and unrepresentative of African culture.
Chiwenga Slams LGBTI Scholarship
Acting President Chiwenga asserted that the scholarship scheme covertly aims to recruit financially disadvantaged Zimbabweans into engaging in activities and practices associated with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community.
“The Government of Zimbabwe strongly and firmly rejects and denounces as unlawful, unchristian, anti Zimbabwean and unAfrican insidious attempts by foreign interests to entice, lure and recruit, Zimbabwe’s less privileged but able students into Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender activities and malpractices through offers of educational scholarships.
Zimbabwe has legislated against all such deviances, making any offers predicated on the same aberrations both unlawful and criminal, and a grave and gross affront on our national values and ethos as a Christian Nation,” part of the statement reads.
Chiwenga emphasized that the government perceives the scholarship as a direct challenge to its authority and warned of taking necessary measures to uphold national laws and values.
“To that end, Government sees such scholarship offers as a direct challenge on its authority, and thus will not hesitate to take appropriate measures to enforce national laws, and to protect and defend national values. Our schools and institutions of higher learning will not entertain applicants, let alone enroll persons associated with such alien, anti-life, un-African and unchristian values which are being promoted and cultivated by, as well as practised in decadent societies with whom we share no moral or cultural affinities,” the statement further reads.
Advice to Zimbabwean Youth
Acting President Chiwenga encouraged young Zimbabweans in need of financial support to approach government departments responsible for awarding scholarships and grants. He cautioned against applying for the GALZ scholarship, which he labelled as devilish and detestable.
