This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
On September 4, 2019, Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage announced that she would be cancelling her performance at the DSTV Delicious Food and Music Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa, scheduled for September 21, 2019.
The decision came in the wake of a fresh wave of xenophobic violence that broke out in Johannesburg on Sunday, leaving at least three people dead and several others hospitalized.
According to local media, the latest attacks echo sporadic outbreaks of 2008 when about 60 people were killed and more than 50,000 displaced from their homes.
Other artistes scheduled to perform at the festival include British singer Corinne Bailey Rae and other acts from South Africa. However, apart from Tiwa Savage, the rest have yet to make any comments on the matter.
Other celebrities who have spoken up on the matter include Singer Burna Boy from Nigeria, who in an interesting response said that although he does not encourage violence, everyone has a right to protect themselves at all times.
"And to my Brothers and sisters I am not encouraging any Violence or anything but please PLEASE Protect and Defend yourselves at all times, it may not seem like it but there’s always a way. Management will now take back control of Burna Boy’s Social media. God bless AFRICA ✊?", Burna Boy tweeted on September 3, 2019.
Tiwa Savage’s and Burna Boy’s comments attracted varied reactions from fans, with some bashing her for the cancellation.
