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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Mali singer cancels South Africa shows over xenophobic violence

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Malian music icon Salif Keita canceled his upcoming concerts in South Africa due to the country's xenophobic violence against African migrants.
  • Keita stated he could not ignore the reports of violence against "African brothers and sisters" and made the "painful decision" to cancel.
  • He clarified that he is "closing the door on violence," not on South Africa, expressing disappointment in the attacks on migrants seeking work and dignity.

Malian music legend Salif Keita has canceled his upcoming performances in South Africa, citing the ongoing xenophobic violence targeting African migrants in the country.

I cannot ignore the reports of xenophobic violence against our African brothers and sisters.

— Salif KeitaMalian singer, explaining his reason for canceling South Africa concerts.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Keita expressed his inability to overlook the "reports of xenophobic violence against our African brothers and sisters." He described the decision to cancel his commercial shows as "painful," emphasizing that it was a response to the violence rather than a rejection of South Africa itself. "To be clear, I am not closing the door on South Africa. I am closing the door on violence," Keita stated.

I made the painful decision to cancel upcoming commercial shows in South Africa.

— Salif KeitaMalian singer, announcing the cancellation of his performances.

Keita, a globally recognized artist with a career spanning over 50 years, shared his perspective on the migrants facing attacks. "When I see migrants being attacked, I don’t see ‘politics.’ I see people searching for work, safety, and dignity," he wrote. He conveyed his disappointment, stating that this situation does not align with the South Africa he knows, a nation that historically supported Mali and was built on the principles of Nelson Mandela.

To be clear, I am not closing the door on South Africa. I am closing the door on violence.

— Salif KeitaMalian singer, clarifying his stance on the situation in South Africa.

His manager, Carolina Vallejo of One World Records, confirmed the cancellation to AFP. The decision comes amid a backdrop of anti-immigrant sentiment and protests in South Africa earlier this year, some of which have turned deadly. According to an AFP tally, over 160,000 foreign nationals have left South Africa since late May, with various African governments organizing repatriations for their citizens.

When I see migrants being attacked, I don’t see ‘politics.’ I see people searching for work, safety, and dignity. That does not match the South Africa I know, the South Africa that stood firm with Mali, and the South Africa that Nelson Mandela built.

— Salif KeitaMalian singer, reflecting on the plight of migrants and his perception of South Africa.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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