Zimpapers Logo

Arts Reporter
ORGANISERS of the much-hyped Mafikizolo Back in Town Concert, which was slated for the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) tomorrow have postponed the show to an as yet to be announced date amid threats to boycott the gig by local fans over xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

Show promoter, Blessing Jeke, yesterday announced the postponement citing security reasons.

“Mafikizolo group has also been advised through its contacts in Harare to postpone the concert until the situation is normal. They have since issued a video drop to that effect, postponing the show and condemning Xenophobia attacks.

“We urge all fans, who have bought advance tickets, to keep them for the rescheduled concert.

“This postponement has a huge financial bearing on us, but for the sake of security and sending a message against xenophobia and similar unrests, it is necessary.

“We strongly condemn these Xenophobic attacks, and urge our brothers and sisters in South Africa to embrace each other. We are one people,” he said.

Rhumba outfit Diamond Musica, afro-jazz songstress Selmor Mtukudzi, pop singer Gemma Griffiths, Dendera ace Sulumani Chimbetu, afro singer Andy Muridzo, dancehall chanter Tocky Vibes and songbird Sasha Amadhuve were billed to perform at the concert.

Meanwhile, a number of African artistes have cancelled their show in South Africa with some vowing to never step foot in that country.

Nigerian superstar Burna Boy posted on his Twitter handle calling out the South African government to tackle the situation.

“But today after watching the killing of my people in SA, the same way we have watched it happen a few times in the past, I personally have had my own xenophobic experience at the hands of South Africans and because of that I have not set foot in SA since 2017.

“I will not ever go to South Africa again for any reason until the South African government wakes up and really performs a miracle because I don’t know how they can even fix this,” he tweeted.

Nigerian musician Tiwa Savage has become the latest artiste to cut ties with South Africa in a show of solidarity against the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in the                            country.

She was scheduled to perform at the annual event later this month alongside the likes of DJ Zinhle, Corrine Bailey Rae, DJ Shimza, and Lira to name a few.

Savage’s decision was prompted by what seems to be an unverified video of a Nigerian man allegedly being killed by South Africans.