Idols South Africa is in the news and this time, it is not for singing.
A clip wen viral on Twitter showing the judges debate on the gender of a contestant, Ashern Madlopha after her audition. Watch below.
#TransphobiaOnIdolsSA this is wrong @IdolsSA @somizi @unathimsengana @ProVerbMusic pic.twitter.com/MjuAlE8j4y
— #LMWCW-0832874588 (@IAmAFallist) July 30, 2017
The video sparked outrage on Twitter, with the hashtag #TransphobiaOnIdolsSA.
The #TransphobiaOnIdolsSA sends out a message to young people struggling with their gender identity that its wrong and shameful. @IdolsSA
— Jua – Baby Bunny 🐇 (@JuavanZyl) August 1, 2017
Disappointed at the #TransphobiaOnIdolsSA @IdolsSA. As an LGBTI community member I’m ashamed to be an Idols Alumni right now.
— Melanie Lowe (@melanielowe) July 31, 2017
“Is it a girl or a boy? It’s a girl. It’s a boy”! 😩
I watched this once, and watching it again just made mad #TransphobiaOnIdolsSA https://t.co/NHFgPE2ryF— NdiNtsundu! (@OnicahTyolo) August 2, 2017
We have a long way to go. #TransphobiaOnIdolsSA 🏳️🌈😍🌈😘.It is about treating people with respect. https://t.co/5PRPUO3ESU
— Dee Loving Life (@Delena24) August 1, 2017
#TransphobiaOnIdolsSA @IdolsSA + @somizi , you let the community down. I guess i’m never watching Idols SA ever again.
— fernando. (@mandhlandubiwa) August 1, 2017
Keep ignoring me @IdolsSA I’m going all the way with this. Even court if I have to. Som1 has to stop your bullying #TransphobiaOnIdolsSA https://t.co/XOuqb2ISFo
— #LMWCW-0832874588 (@IAmAFallist) August 2, 2017
@IdolsSA #TransphobiaOnIdolsSA STILL WAITING FOR YOUR RESPONSE
— albert combrink (@albertcombrink) August 2, 2017
Injabulo Projects has started a petition calling for an immediate public and private apology to be issued to Ashern Madlopha. They also want the apology to be written and broadcast on the show.
While Idols South Africa and Mnet are yet to release an official statement on the petition, M-Net’s Nondumiso Mabece told the Daily Sun that the show has a history of supporting the LGBTQIA community. She added “It is shown in the make-up of the top 16 over the past seasons. Here, the judges judged the contestant’s voice. Contestants are treated equally and judged on their singing, irrespective of sexual orientation. The dialogue was an effort to understand the contestant’s identity. We apologise for any offence.”
