Artists Should Not Be Held Responsible For The Actions Of Their Governments
Rising xenophobic tensions in South Africa are once again straining relations with Nigeria, with the entertainment industry caught in the middle. Reports of attacks and intimidation targeting foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians living in South Africa, have reignited public anger, leading to calls for boycotts of South African entertainers.
The controversy gained further attention after South African Grammy-winning singer Tyla removed her scheduled Lagos, Nigeria, stop from her upcoming world tour. While no official reason was given for the decision, it followed widespread backlash from Nigerians, many of whom questioned whether South African artists should continue to perform in Nigeria while Nigerians reportedly face xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Journalist and culture critic Dami Ajayi believes the entertainment industry is paying the price for a political and diplomatic problem. Commenting on the situation, he said:
“Tempers are flaring, especially among Nigerians, over South Africa’s recent xenophobic campaigns against Nigerians in South Africa. These targeted retaliatory campaigns are not particularly new.”
Ajayi noted that similar incidents have occurred before, pointing to previous calls to boycott Netflix’s The Polygamist and the public feud between the late South African rapper AKA and Nigerian star Burna Boy, both influenced by xenophobia-related tensions.
He argued that entertainers are unfairly being made the face of a much deeper issue.
“The pop culture/showbiz space is hardly the place to stoke these fires; it’s also not the best place to douse them.”
He added that in the absence of meaningful diplomacy between Nigeria and South Africa, musicians are increasingly expected to answer for political failures.
“In the absence of any meaningful diplomacy by either Nigeria or South Africa, popular music icons are targeted for their complicit silence.”
Defending Tyla, Ajayi stressed that artists should not be held responsible for the actions of their governments.
“Tyla does not represent the South African Government; her silence does not mean she agrees with the xenophobic vigilantes of her home country.”
South African DJ Ayanda, speaking during an interview on Ghana’s 4Syte TV, also acknowledged that the ongoing tensions have affected her personally and professionally.
“I won’t lie, it has affected me, especially based on when I have to travel to other countries. Obviously, when one apple is rotten, they believe every apple is rotten. So it has affected me quite a lot, but we’re finding our way back up, thank God.”
Ayanda said she hopes South Africa can embrace the same peaceful atmosphere she experienced while visiting Ghana.
“I’m currently in Ghana and it’s so peaceful here, and I so wish that it could be as peaceful as it is in South Africa as well. I also wish people could understand that we need to unite as Africans.”
Expressing frustration over the recurring violence and division, she concluded:
“We’re Africans first. I’m so tired of these divisions.”
