[imagesource:instagram/astellaperformance]

Dare we even give this man air time?

Mehmet Vefa Dag, some dude in some woo-woo political party called the Truth and Solidarity Movement Party wants to be the next President of South Africa and is trying to get attention in all the most unfortunate ways.

Dag, a Turkish immigrant who has become a frequent fixture on ballot papers of late, spoke to Cape Argus on Sunday, pointing out that he didn’t know about the LGBTQIA+ rainbow-coloured pedestrian crossing that was painted in October until recently.

Now he is calling on the City to remove the colours on Somerset Road, Green Point as the country celebrated Pride Month. Dag, who was not known before this little tantrum, was campaigning for the rainbow to be covered in black paint:

“You can be gay but we are not gay, we are straight people of Cape Town. Don’t push into our communities your disgraceful agenda,” tweeted Dag.

In another tweet he wrote: “No law in #SouthAfrica says we should paint our roads like this, it’s dangerous for drivers. Please show me which K53 books show that roads should be painted this way.”

Imagine being so scared of a rainbow:

Just before the weekend, Vefa Dag vowed to throw black paint over the rainbow-coloured pedestrian crossing in Somerset Road, Green Point, “to save our children from these freak colours”.https://t.co/LhsrWR0ROq

Pictures: Armand Hough/AfNews Agency(ANA) pic.twitter.com/cj02Ys2pOg

— Cape Argus (@TheCapeArgus) June 11, 2023

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis immediately responded with poise:

Genuinely saddened that this hate message gets such traction. A pedestrian crossing isn’t forcing you to do anything, Mehmet.

You’re welcome to protest peacefully, but not to spread hate, and not to damage public infrastructure.

— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) June 9, 2023

Local councillor Ian McMahon also hit back, calling out Dag’s antics for what they are:

“Two days ago, no one knew who this gentleman was and his name had no recognition.

“As regards the legality of this in terms of the Road Traffic Act, it is legal. If the (traffic) lights weren’t here it would not be legal, but this is a signal pedestrian crossing, and therefore the lights are what make people stop.”

Dag then ran a poll on Twitter about whether he should paint the pedestrian crossing black or not, and subsequently changed his mind when 70% of users voted against his plan.

In silent protest, iconic drag queen Stella Rose strutted across the Pride colours with an LGBTQIA+ crowd in tow. Dag was there, too, drab as ever:

 

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A post shared by Armand Hough (@thehumansnarrative)

Work it, queen:

 

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A post shared by ́ (@astellaperformance)

Dag has been trying to get into the presidential seat since 2007, and says “I am not homophobic but I don’t want the gay community to be the scapegoat of the zionist system.” His politics are zany at best.

The rainbow crossing is a symbol of freedom and inclusion and does the work of bringing all kinds of people together in a safe and nurturing environment. It is a way to show kindness and compassion to a community that has been marginalised and demonised for loving who and how they want.

It is a pity that Dag has tried to turn it into a political tool, but it is good to see how the people voted against him.

[source:iol]