Burna Boy caused a stir after he spoke out against the xenophobic attacks that claimed the lives of several Nigerians earlier this year in September 2019. But now it seems South African acts may revolt his upcoming performance in the Rainbow Nation.
According to an earlier report by The Sauce this week, Burna Boy announced the anti-xenophobia concert focused on bringing people together after the divisive attacks that rocked South Africa. Nigerian-American artist Jidenna as well as South African artists Kwesta and Busiswa are also slated to perform at the concert which is set to take place on November 23rd.
According to the artist, a portion of the concert’s proceeds will go directly to victims of the attacks.
The first of many! Part of the proceeds will be donated to the victims of Xenophobic attacks by me! I really hope we can all keep contributing in our own way to make the world a better and safer place for each other. #Africansunite , it’s bigger than all of us 🖤 pic.twitter.com/fpBrk4O1VG
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) November 9, 2019
And as preparations for the Africa Unite concert went on, Economic Freedom Fighters figurehead Julius Malema welcomed Burna Boy, lauding him for his efforts to united all Africans with music.
Looking forward to receiving and being entertained by my brother @burnaboy here at his home called South Africa. There's no mascot that can stop him from performing, he's one of our own and we will protect him. We must resolutely oppose regionalism led by political illiterates.
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) November 14, 2019
Following Malema’s public support for Burna, it seems that the good that could come from the ‘Africa Unite’ concert has many divided. According to OkayAfrica, South African artists are reportedly against Burna Boy being a part of the lineup following his heated Twitter exchange with rapper AKA.
And @MI_Abaga it’s Fuck @akaworldwide from now on. And if you down with him, it’s Fuck you too. I respect you too much, please Don’t throw my respect out the window cuz I swear you will fly out with it.
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) September 3, 2019
The Tshwane Entertainment Collective recently wrote a letter to the Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, wherein they urge him to prevent Burna Boy from performing in the country citing a number of reasons. In the surprising letter, the wrote, “We first inquired to the minister and to the department to say, what is this all about? How is this happening? How are you guys supporting this? Then further to that, we asked how are you supporting an event that also includes… so not only are you failing us with funding but you are also supporting an event that includes an artist who has threatened violence to fellow South African artists.”
Burna Boy is yet to comment on the protests, but he seems keen to ensure the event brings together. Malema’s comments on the otherhand may have landed him on the wrong side of the South Africa public. However, Malema has retorted he will not be shamed for his sentiments. Instead, he remains determined to stand firm on his support for the African Giant. He wrote on Twitter, I won’t be intimidated or blackmailed by bed wetting boys, welcome home@burnaboy South Africa is a home for all Africans, kill me for defending an African brother, bloody Cowards.”
The Africa Unite concert is set for November 24th at the Sun Arena, Pretoria.
