Xenophobia: S’African artistes lose gigs as govt admits heavy backlash

The South African government has admitted that the country is facing serious backlash across Africa following recent xenophobic attacks and the evacuation of foreign nationals from the country.

Mmamoloko Kubayi, South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, said South African businesses and artistes were already suffering losses as anger over the attacks continued to spread across the continent.

Kubayi, who spoke in an interview with SABC on Sunday, said some South African artistes had seen their shows cancelled in other African countries.

“We can’t lie about the backlash, and that is why part of the work that we are doing as government, as well through DIRCO, is engagement with businesses abroad, South African companies abroad,” she said.

She said the government was engaging South African companies operating outside the country and providing consular support to businesses affected by the fallout.

Kubayi added that many South African artistes perform across the continent, but some of them were now losing income because of the outrage over xenophobic attacks.

“One artiste did reach out to me to say all her gigs were cancelled on the continent. This is an income lost by a South African,” the minister stated.

She urged South Africans to deal with concerns over illegal immigration without attacking foreign nationals who are legally resident in the country.

“That is why let’s deal with the issue of illegal immigrants. Those you have within your borders legally, please protect them as you would protect South Africans,” she said.

The latest wave of xenophobic attacks has forced Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and other African countries to evacuate some of their citizens from South Africa.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned South Africans against harassing people on the streets by demanding proof of their nationality.

Ramaphosa also vowed that his government would act against citizens involved in xenophobic attacks.