adminBongani Ndlovu and Rutendo Kanogoiwa Showbiz Reporters
ZIMBABWEAN artistes have called for a boycott of South African musicians’ shows here as a protest over xenophobic attacks gripping South Africa. They said there was no reason for merrymaking with South African artistes when some Zimbabweans based in that country are being killed. Five people were reportedly killed after an outbreak of xenophobic violence in Durban over the weekend, three months after attacks on foreign shop owners in Soweto. Over 1,000 foreigners from Zimbabwe, Burundi, Malawi and Mozambique have been displaced because of the attacks.
As a result, artistes from Bulawayo and Harare this week united against the xenophobic attacks challenging artistes in South Africa to come out and demand an end to the violence targeted at foreigners residing there.
A lobby group — Bulawayo anti-xenophobic movement (Baxem) has since been formed to fight xenophobia in the region by raising awareness through social media networking sites.
Yesterday, Baxem members could be seen removing posters of the forthcoming Big Nuz and Cassper Nyovest shows in Bulawayo.
“We can’t mourn and party at the same time. Our brothers and sisters went to South Africa to work and now they’re getting killed.
“The artistes there should raise awareness about this hateful crime to humanity that’s being perpetrated by their fans, before coming to Zimbabwe,” Baxem spokesperson, Nqobile Malikongwa said.
He challenged Zimbabweans to boycott the South Africans’ shows if that country’s artistes do not condemn xenophobia.
Malikongwa said Big Nuz which comes from Durban where most of the violence is occurring needed to condemn the violence from their base first before attempting to fly to Bulawayo for their show on Friday.
Zim dancehall artiste — Centre Party said failure by South African artistes to condemn the violence would result in them refusing to perform or attend the shows they stage here.
“We’re all black Africans. All we want is to spread the message that we’re not happy about the way our fellow family members are being treated in the neighbouring country. Surprisingly, these artistes get our support through our attendance and money which they use to boost their economy yet they choose to ill-treat fellow Zimbabweans,” Centre Party said.
Afro-jazz musician Willis Wataffi, Sandra Ndebele-Sibindi and Mbo Mahocs, among other artistes united to call for a peaceful demonstration at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo on Friday when Big Nuz touch down. Artistes in Harare revealed plans to stage theirs at the South African Embassy.
Promoters of the Big Nuz and Cassper Nyovest shows refused to comment.
A disappointed South Africa-based Zimbabwean dancehall artiste Buffalo Souljah took to his Facebook page yesterday to express his anger.
“During apartheid South African nationals sought refuge in our homelands as they fought for their freedom now we’re hunted like animals here.
“Where is the UN, African Union and Sadc when blood is spilt on African soil? Or will you take action if a European, Asian, American living in South Africa is attacked?
“If this continues then we’re going to petition against any South African activities in Africa be it sport, music and film,” said Big Buffs as he is affectionately known.
“If Zimbabweans contribute over a 100 billion rand a year to the nation’s GDP, then how much do we contribute as a collective in Africa?”
Winky D, who is meant to perform with Cassper Nyovest on April 25 expressed concern over the brutal attacks.
“There’s no justification to what’s happening in South Africa. I’m in support of anything upholding humanity as long as it’s in a peaceful and civilised way,” Winky D said.
Comedian — Babongile Sikhonjwa said they were planning to embark on a campaign involving a song, photos and videos to condemn the xenophobic attacks.
“After a heated argument we’ve agreed as artistes to do a campaign targeting the South African personalities in the arts so as to raise awareness about the violence in their country.
“We’ll do this through producing songs, video clips and posters that condemn the violence,” Sikhonjwa said.
He said more South African artistes should take a leaf from DJs Sbu, Oskido, AKA and Buffalo Souljah who have denounced the violence.
“Xenophobia is disgusting . . . In fact, as a South African, I feel embarrassed,” tweeted AKA yesterday.
DJ Sbu recently changed his Twitter status to: “IsayNotoXenophobia”.
Gruesome videos on social media networking sites — Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram are doing the rounds showing tyres being placed round foreigners’ necks, with the perpetrators pouring petrol and burning the victims alive in front of cheering crowds.
Foreigners’ shops are being targeted, looted and burnt down in the attacks.
Online Reporter