By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE: Owen Nxumalo, the Minister of Education and Training has labelled “Gays and Lesbians” sexual conduct as an absolute nonsense.

The Education Minister was touring schools on Tuesday in Mbabane when uttering these sentiments, he maintained that, the conduct of “Gays and Lesbians” must not be tolerated in schools.

“That’s why I like Donald Trump because he is against this nonsense”, he said.

But the Minister’s statement has been condemned by women and human rights organizations.

“A statement claiming there is “no place for gays in schools” is deeply troubling and completely unacceptable coming from a Minister of Education. Schools exist to educate and protect all students, not to exclude or stigmatize them based on who they are. Such statement promotes discrimination, undermines human dignity, and contradicts the fundamental values of equality, inclusion, and respect that Governments are meant to uphold. We expect leadership that unites society and ensures safe learning environments for every child, not a language that marginalizes and harms,” said One Billion Rising Africa Coordinator Colani Hlatjwako.

One Billion Rising is the largest global mass action aimed at ending violence against women transgender and those with fluid identities.