Le musicien malien Salif Keïta annule ses concerts en Afrique du Sud à cause des violences xénophobes
Malian singer and composer Salif Keïta announces the cancellation of his concerts planned in South Africa due to xenophobic demonstrations in that country, stating that by this act he is condemning "the hatred towards (his) African compatriots".
As hatred gains ground in South Africa, Salif Keïta takes a stand. "I cannot ignore the reports of xenophobic violence against our African brothers and sisters," the Malian artist stated in a press release on his Facebook page, which was seen by AFP on Wednesday.
The situation in South Africa "forces me to make a painful decision: I am cancelling my commercial shows scheduled in South Africa," he says, without specifying the dates and locations of these shows.
Salif Keïta says his heart is heavy with grief as he makes this decision, clarifying that it does not signify a rejection of the people of South Africa, a country long marked by apartheid and which, since the end of this system of racial segregation, "has always welcomed me like a brother, not just an artist." But the Malian artist says that, through this act, he wants to close "the door on hatred, not on the people" of the southern African country.
Mandela's country, riddled with xenophobia
“When I see migrants being attacked, I don’t see politics. I see people looking for employment, security and dignity. This is not the South Africa I know – the South Africa that stood firm with Mali, and the South Africa that Nelson Mandela (figure of the anti-apartheid struggle, 1918-2013) built,” he remarks.
After more than 50 years in the business, the 76-year-old artist, nicknamed by some the "White Horse" because of his albinism, continues to tour, but with less frequent dates for medical reasons. South African singer-songwriter Tyla cancelled a concert scheduled in Nigeria at the end of July, amid a diplomatic dispute between Nigeria and South Africa related to xenophobic violence.
South Africa, the continent's largest economy, has long been a destination for African workers, both documented and undocumented. However, facing an unemployment rate exceeding 30%, the country has experienced repeated waves of xenophobic and anti-migrant protests, some of which have turned deadly. More than 160,000 people have left South Africa since the end of May, according to an AFP tally based on figures provided by African governments that have organized repatriations, including approximately 1,500 Nigerians.
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