Lawyer and former opposition Member of Parliament Fadzayi Mahere says this is not the right time for South African artists to perform in Zimbabwe, given the suffering faced by some Zimbabweans living in South Africa.
Hundreds of Zimbabweans have been forced to flee their homes in South Africa following threats of violence from xenophobes and Afrophobes. Many have spent hours in the rain and cold in Cape Town seeking help from the government to be evacuated.
Local vigilante groups such as March and March Movements have told so-called undocumented foreign nationals to leave South Africa by Tuesday, 30 June, for their own safety.
Meanwhile, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, the country’s largest mobile network operator, has announced South African award-winning music duo Mafikizolo as one of the headline acts for its Buddie Beatz concert set for Victoria Falls on 5 July.
The duo will share the stage with some of Zimbabwe’s top performers, including Zimdancehall stars Winky D and Killer T, among other local artists.
The concert is part of Econet’s Buddie Beatz entertainment platform, which brings together regional and local talent for live performances.
Mahere believes that, for now, Zimbabwean entities should avoid bringing South African musicians into the country.
“Given the current climate, bringing in South African artists to perform in Zimbabwe would be a gross failure to read the room,” she said.
“Our brothers, sisters, relatives and friends are squatting in the rain, choked by fear and in danger of losing their livelihoods.
“Now, more than ever, they need our solidarity. Let’s spare a thought for those who are victims of another round of suffering, having fled poverty, hunger and ZANU PF’s general reign of terror.
Let’s do the right thing.”
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