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According to the University of Pretoria’s human rights centre, the couple complained that they were not allowed to publicly celebrate their civil union at Sha-Mani functions venue in Alberton last year.

On Tuesday, the court ordered Sha-Mani to pay R20,000 to OUT, a non-governmental organisation that provides health services to gays and lesbians.

Frans Viljoen, of the centre for human rights at the University of Pretoria, said Francis and Liani Buitendag first visited Sha-Mani in March last year while looking for a venue for their wedding.

They had entered into a civil union earlier during the year.

Viljoen’s organisation helped the couple with the case. He said the couple encountered difficulties when they tried to obtain a suitable date for the function immediately after their visit.

Staff at the venue told them that the venue was not available, said Viljoen.

“They enlisted the help of our heterosexual friends, who found out that the venue was actually available.”  Sha-Mani withheld from them the opportunity to hire the venue of their choice, he said.

“Frequent reports about violence against lesbian women underline the serious failure of our laws to undo homophobic attitudes and actions."

Viljoen said that according to the couple, Sha-Mani never openly indicated to them that it was discriminating on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“We really hope this case will help others in the homosexual community to realise they can stand up against unfair discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation,” Francis Buitendag said after the trial.

Comments

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Thu Jun 20 08:30:26 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 1, 2012

Mellow

Great now Sha-Mani can host their annivesary do for free
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Aug 1, 2012

maneater

see now that is what i do not understand.people wanting to impose themselves onto others. beleive it or not there is still some people who do not beleive and accept this gay and lesbian thing. if you want to practice it please do but not on their property. its a matter if belief and principle and you cannot force it onto somebody. if you are discriminated against in the workplace or on the public space i will understand someone's property is their property you cannot force them to accept you. there are a lt of other places they could have used.
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Aug 1, 2012

MommaC

They can either be a functions company or a private club - they can't be both.

When you open a business you should be required to have a brain cell. It is called a 'business' because the object of the exercise is to make money. If you want to be a religious zealot then open a church.

Next thing you know we will have venues refusing to let you in because you have brown eyes or red hair or size 6 shoes
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Aug 1, 2012

DJWinner

I wonder how do they decide who is wife and who is husband in a gay relationship.
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Aug 1, 2012

Maratachelete

I think all of you are myopic,no-one tells you how to live your lives,yet you want to tell other people how to live theirs.None of you is God,so stop judging other people,who live their lives without bothering you,because you think you are perfect.In fact,in South Africa,there are married men,who sleep with other married,so don't come here and act holy,because you all are very far from it.
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Aug 1, 2012

Kgaitsedi-ya-Genaro

I may be frustrated in the relationship category but I do not see myself with another woman geeez!!! that will only addup to my frustrations. Two mouths yebbering non-stop hmmmm
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Aug 1, 2012

candilious

@maneater-Totally agree with you on that


@ Maratachelete-On point
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Aug 1, 2012

Mellow

@Sowetan/Webmaster Thank you for removing some of those unnecessary petty childish comments HOWEVER there's still one annoying comment here not sure why you didnt remove it as well
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Aug 2, 2012

seutullamakunutu

@maeater well said
@momma C .Opening a business does not mean one needs to act against their own belief, church is not a business but a place of worship therefore cannot be classified as place for discrimination.
People are entitled to their own opinio if they do not want homosexuals in their premises ,so be it. I personally made it clear in my lease agreements that i cant to business with homosexuals, unmarried couples,etc it is my right, unfortunately those who wanted to challenge me failed. IT STANDS THAT WAY, and doing well I DO NOT HATE OR JUDGE , JUST CAN NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH THEM.
Almighty loves us all ,there are also instruction how we should live our lives.
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Aug 2, 2012

Ndona

Where does illness (homosexuality) comes from? This is anti-african!!!!!!!!
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