PHOTOS: Parliament slams racy online reading campaign
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education is not impressed with the social media posts by the national education spokesperson, saying they are objectifying women instead of promoting the reading campaign they were apparently intended to.
Elijah Mhlanga's posts for the Read to Lead campaign were accompanied by pictures of women that many users complained were racy and distracting.
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Mhlanga has apologised, while Minister Angie Motshekga has distanced herself from the posts.Committee chairperson, Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba says the department must take action.
"You can't want to motivate young people to do that. If it is about reading, it must be about reading. Why would you put naked people reading books."
"And where on Earth are naked people reading books," asked Mbinqo-Gigaba.
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Reading for leisure is also therapeutic. It relaxes the mind, body and soul. @DBE_SA #ReadtoLead pic.twitter.com/gPUhlqUf5v
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) August 10, 2019
Drop All and Read, once a day, pause other activities and read a book. Readers are leaders, they say. @DBE_SA #ReadtoLead pic.twitter.com/ZhigfOsyec
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) August 10, 2019
Mhlanga defended the images in a later Twitter post, saying the images selected were not meant to offend sensitive viewers.
On Saturday, I posted a series of tweets about the Department's Read To Lead Campaign aimed at promoting reading amongst young adults and people of school going age and society in general.
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) August 12, 2019
I have noted that one image in particular may have offended sensitive viewers. This however, was not the intention and we strongly reject any view to that effect. To those I disappointed and indeed those of you who are offended by the use of the images I apologize.
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) August 12, 2019
I have previously promoted this reading Campaign on Twitter using the same images in 2016, 2017 and 2018 however, there was no discontent or discomfort raised at the time. In fact it started a discourse on reading.
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) August 12, 2019
