Xenophobia Hits Home: South African Artistes Struggling To Keep The Stage

South Africa’s minister of justice, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has bemoaned the fact that local musicians are losing out on chances to perform abroad due to mounting criticism of the country’s position on illegal immigration.

Kubayi clarified that South Africa is not extraditing lawful foreign nationals in response to recent social media claims during a press conference in Pretoria.

She emphasized that the government’s only goal is to repatriate illegal immigrants.

“We cannot lie about the backlash. That is why part of the work we are doing as governments is engaging with businesses abroad, including South African businesses abroad. Minister Lamola has met with them. And we are providing support services and consular services for those businesses on the continent and outside the continent.”

“One of the areas that we have to look at, that has come to my attention, is our artistes. Majority of South African artistes perform on the continent and many of them are seeing their gigs cancelled.

“That is another impact of the work. Because they benefit from live events and everything. We would work together to understand the impact.”

“One artiste did reach out to me. Saying all her gigs were cancelled on the continent. This is an impact loss by South Africans,” she said.

“That is part of what we are doing to explain that South Africans are not xenophobic. We are saying to South Africans to be responsible. Let us deal with the issue of illegal immigrants.”

Ultimately, it seems that nemesis is catching up with those who perpetuate xenophobia. The very hatred and division they sow are now turning back on them, causing opportunities to slip away and reputations to be tarnished.

Justice has a way of catching up, and in this case, the consequences of intolerance are beginning to weigh heavily on those who once turned a blind eye. It serves as a stark reminder that hate only breeds downfall in the end