South African musicians and entertainers have increasingly become entangled in the country’s ongoing wave of anti-immigrant sentiment, as violence and social unrest against foreign nationals intensify. This turbulent environment has led to cancellations and removals of performances by prominent artists both within South Africa and in neighboring countries.
In Lagos, Nigeria, South African singer Tyla canceled a scheduled concert following public protests. Tyla, a Grammy Award winner who enjoys a notable fan base in Nigeria and has collaborated with leading Nigerian artists like Ayra Starr, Tems, and Wizkid, faced criticism for not publicly addressing the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. While the reasons behind her cancellation remain unclear, her team has not provided an official explanation.
Similarly, in Zimbabwe, Musa Keys, a South African amapiano star, was dropped from the lineup of the Buddie Bass Concert at Victoria Falls amid calls for a boycott of South African performers. Organizers removed Mafikizolo, a celebrated South African band, from the event after receiving threats on social media. The festival’s promoter, Blessing Jake, expressed that the decision caused significant financial losses and expressed hope that the hostile atmosphere toward South African artists could soon subside. “Business-wise, xenophobia is very expensive,” he remarked.
The cultural boycott is part of broader regional tensions fueled by repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence in South Africa, which has driven thousands of migrants and refugees to flee the country. The South African government reports that more than 86,000 foreign nationals were deported or repatriated between mid-June and late August alone. Vigilante groups have been implicated in raids against immigrant communities, escalating fears within the continent’s largest economy.
Malian singer Salif Keita also canceled a scheduled performance in South Africa, citing concerns about xenophobic violence targeting fellow Africans. Keita, a veteran artist with long-standing ties to South Africa’s music scene—including participation in the 1988 Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert—released a statement emphasizing his opposition to violence, clarifying that his withdrawal was not an expression of rejection toward South Africans but a stance against the ongoing unrest. Keita’s manager, Carolina Vallejo, confirmed the cancellation.
The response from South African officials has emphasized a distinction between enforcing immigration controls and xenophobia. Gayton McKenzie, the government minister overseeing arts and culture, rejected accusations that South Africans are inherently xenophobic or that musicians should be held accountable for the broader social issues. McKenzie, known for his anti-immigration platform and promotion of the slogan “Abahambe” (“Let Them Go” in Zulu), stated that immigration law enforcement is necessary for border security and should not be conflated with hatred toward foreigners.
Nonetheless, leaders across Africa have condemned the violence in South Africa. The Nigerian government has demanded compensation for its citizens affected by repatriations, while continental bodies like the African Union have been urged to hold South Africa accountable for the escalating crisis that has also impacted the country’s diplomatic standing. South Africa recently lost a key leadership position in continental telecommunications governance, a consequence some attribute to the country’s strained relations.
As anti-immigrant tensions persist, South African artists and cultural events continue to navigate a fraught environment, reflecting wider societal challenges that reverberate across the African continent.