A pioneering and acclaimed black journalist,[1] in his final years Qwelane was embroiled in a legal dispute as a result of a homophobic column that he wrote in 2008, that had important implications for the boundaries between hate speech and freedom of expression in South African law.
He got his first column in 1983, that was published in the Star's Africa Edition (aimed at blacks); it was called My World, which began his career as a political commentator, in addition to being a reporter.
[4] Qwelane wrote a column in 2008 titled "Call me Names, but Gay is not Ok." in the Sunday Sun, in which he criticised the Anglican Church's permissive position on homosexuality, and praised Robert Mugabe's stance on the issue, and accused homosexuals of harming society[8] intimating that gay marriage would ultimately legitimise bestiality.
[11][10] Following the end of his tenure at 702 in 2003, Qwelane had struggled to earn a regular income, but he was appointed as South Africa's ambassador to Uganda by the ANC government in 2010,[12] He completed his four-year term in 2014.
[14] Qwelane's appointment raised concerns that it would fuel tensions in Uganda, which had severe penalties for homosexual conduct.
[11][16][2] The judgment was referred to the Constitutional Court for confirmation in Qwelane v South African Human Rights Commission, and a hearing was held in September 2020.