South African Artists Lose Continental Gigs As Xenophobia Backlash Grows
- South African artists have lost gigs across the continent as growing xenophobia-linked unrest triggers a continental backlash
- Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said the government is working with the arts and culture sector to assess the full impact
- The unrest comes as some South Africans push back, with factory workers protesting in favour of foreign employees
South Africa's Justice Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has confirmed that a significant number of artists from the country have had their gigs across the continent cancelled amid an escalating xenophobic crisis.
Source: Instagram
South Africa has faced intense criticism from other African nations over its treatment of foreign nationals within its borders.
The latest wave of anti-immigration protests was ignited in late April by the March and March group, with thousands taking to the streets of Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban.
The unrest triggered a continental backlash that is having real economic consequences.
Around 350 Ghanaians were evacuated from South Africa after xenophobic attacks, with more than 800 having registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria to return home.
Other African countries, including Nigeria, also expressed outrage and issued warnings to their citizens living in the country.
South African artists losing gigs amid xenophobia
In a press video, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi acknowledged the toll the crisis was taking on the entertainment industry, stating:
"The majority of South African artists perform on the continent, and many of them are seeing their gigs being cancelled. One artist reached out to me and said all her gigs were cancelled on the continent. This is an income loss for a South African."
The minister added that the government would be working with the arts and culture sector to fully assess the impact, noting that South African artists benefit greatly from performing at live events across the continent.
The X video of Mmamoloko Kubayi confirming that South Africans are losing their gigs is below:
South Africans protest against foreign worker dismissals
The situation has shown little sign of improvement, even as some South Africans push back against the tide of anti-immigrant sentiment.
Last week, factory workers staged protests against the dismissal of foreign employees, citing their key role in keeping factories operational.
Source: Instagram
Some workers warned that removing skilled foreign nationals could ultimately cost local employees their own jobs down the line.
One of the protestors indicated:
“No xenophobia, we need foreigners here. They are our people. Mr President, you can't chase foreigners. They are part of us. If you chase them, we are nothing. We will be hungry. Our children have to eat.”
Below is an X video of protesters sharing their views on immigrants leaving the country amid the recent xenophobic attacks:
Anti-immigrant leader slams Bafana Bafana critics
YEN.com.gh previously reported that March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma had publicly criticised Africans who supported Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener against South Africa.
Amid the spate of xenophobic attacks, she clapped back after Bafana Bafana's 2-0 loss to the co-hosts, insinuating that Africans who had backed Mexico should focus on their own countries first.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
