ARTISTES from all over Africa have been irked by the
ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa with some cancelling their
performances in the neighbouring country in solidarity with those who have been
affected.
South Africans have been embarking an orgy of violence,
looting shops owned by foreigners, beating and killing some in the process.
Nigerian singers such as Tiwa Savage and Burna Boy are
among those who have boycotted their gigs in the neighbouring country with some
locals calling on the cancellation of shows involving South African artistes in
Zimbabwe.
Reacting to the brutal attacks, Tiwa Savage posted: “I
refuse to watch the barbaric butchering of my people in South Africa. This is
sick. For this reason, I will not be performing at the upcoming DStv Delicious
Festival in Johannesburg on the 21st of September. My prayers are with all the
victims and families affected by this.”
South African house DJ Prince Kaybee, however, bashed Tiwa
saying: “Her making this statement made her part of the problem. . . We could
say it’s an emotional statement but she’s got absolutely no idea how much fuel
has been poured in the fire with this.”
South Africans; Mafikizolo, Dr Malinga and Mlindo the
Vocalist were billed to perform in Zimbabwe this week. Mlindo has already
chickened out as he said he fears for his life.
“I’m supposed to travel to Zimbabwe this weekend but I fear
for my life since I’m South African. My country is doing so much harm to our
brothers and sisters and I’ve no choice but to wonder what lies in another
African country as an African,” wrote Mlindo on his Instagram page on Tuesday.
Mafikizolo’s concert in Harare tomorrow has also been postponed because of the xenophobic
attacks.
Said Mafikizolo: “The show we were supposed to perform at
the HICC in Zimbabwe this coming Friday has been cancelled because of what is
happening in our country – the violence, crime and killings happening to our
brothers and sisters.
“As Mafikizolo, we’d like to let people know that we
condemn killings of innocent people from the African continent that have been
taking place. We urge our government to take strong and harsh steps to punish
the perpetrators responsible for these horrific crimes.”
However, Dr Malinga, who is expected to perform at Skyz
Metro FM’s Umcimbi Wabantu celebrations in Bulawayo, has been assured of his
safety in the city by event organisers.
“Dr Malinga is safe and can come to Zimbabwe for his
performance at the Umcimbi Wabantu as Bulawayo citizens are peace-loving people
who are not xenophobic. Our listeners are calling in saying all they want is to
have a great time,” said the radio station’s manager Godwin Phiri yesterday.
Meanwhile, South African queen of Gqom music, Babes Wodumo,
who had been caught up in a xenophobia storm after inflammatory comments were
allegedly posted on her Twitter account on Tuesday evening, yesterday said she
was not responsible for those posts as the account had been hacked.
A series of anti-African messages were posted on her
@BABESWODUMO_ account targeting foreigners especially Zimbabweans, Nigerians
and whites who she said should go back to their respective countries.
One of the messages to Zimbabweans read: “I’m not done
Zimbabweans!!! Hambani”. It immediately torched a storm among a cross section
of locals who immediately called on organisers of the Victoria Falls Mapopoma
Festival (where she is billed to perform in December) to remove her from the
line-up.
Through another micro blogging site, Instagram, Babes
Wodumo distanced herself from the posts.
“As you all know, my Twitter is hacked and what’s sickening
is the fact that this person is busy fighting our African brothers and sisters
on my Twitter. I want to assure everyone that I am 100 percent against
xenophobia.
“I’m coming to Zimbabwe . . . the person who is writing all
of these things is not me, I love you guys,” she wrote on her Instagram.
Mapopoma Festival organiser DJ Spevah also defended Babes
and said she is still part of the Mapopoma festival.
“We’ve spoken to her and she has distanced herself from the
tweets as her account was hacked,” DJ Spevah said.
Most South African artistes however, have been embarrassed
by the behaviour of their countrymen and have been urging Africans to unite.
Zimbabwean comedy crew, Omkhula, who are based in South Africa, also took to
the streets there to urge people to desist from violent behaviour.
Five people have
been killed and close to 200 arrested in the latest wave of xenophobic violence
in South Africa. Herald
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