Tobias Sylvester
The highly publicised anti-xenophobia concert “Africa Unite” which Burna Boy was billed to headline in South Africa has been canceled, following threats of violence by the host country.
KanyiDaily recalls that the controversy had started after Burna boy announced his attendance of the “‘African Unite event scheduled to hold in South Africa.
South African Rapper, AKA demanded an apology from Burna boy for threatening him and for the promise he made never to visit South Africa again, during the heat of the xenophobic attacks in the former apartheid country.
After several violent threats from South Africans to Burna Boy not to show up for the concert, the organisers decided to cancel the show because of the outrage it had created.
It also reports that the organisers of the show talked with Burna Boy’s management and decided to withdraw him from the concert and cancel his show.
A statement by the concert organisers, Phambili Media and Play Network, Wednesday morning, reads:
“With the increasing threats of violence from other unfortunate segments of the public and without any government intervention, Phambili Media and Play Network Africa were prompted to take the threats and warnings seriously, as the safety of all artists and attendees could not be guaranteed. We then decided to cancel the concert. The safety of all attendees, artists and crew comes first.
“We do, however, stand behind our decision for the initial inclusion of Burna Boy in the Africans Unite Concert line-up.
“As one of artists at the centre stage of the xenophobic attacks uproar, we saw fit to engage him to be a part of the Africans Unite campaign that aims to ultimately change the current negative narrative to that of solidarity and unity. It seems we have failed in this regard.
“As organisers of the Africans Unite Concert, we continue to advocate for unity and peace. Moreover, we condemn any form of discrimination, violence or aggressive behaviour towards any person due to their gender or nationality.”
