Burna Boy changes tune
Nigerian star who said he would never set foot in SA to headline Africans Unite concert ...
DESPITE his tweet almost two months ago where he said he would never set foot back in South Africa, Nigeria’s Burna Boy will headline the Africans Unite concert.
The concert was announced this week and will include performances from Kwesta, Jidenna and Busiswa.
Last month, following reports of alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa, Burna Boy took to social media to express his anger.
In a series of tweets he said that Africans needed to stick together, but also that he would not set foot in South Africa.
“I have not set foot in SA since 2017.
And I will NOT EVER go to South Africa again for any reason until the SOUTH AFRICAN government wakes the f*** up and really performs A miracle, because I don’t know how they can even possibly fix this,” he said in a tweet.
During the week of the xenophobic attacks, numerous celebrities and influencers across Africa spoke out against the atrocities, the most noticeable voice being that of Burna Boy, who urged the two governments to come together and put an end to the pain, hostility and violence.
“As we have our leaders working towards uniting Africa, it’s important that we see each other as brothers of the same soil and come together and unite Africa.
We must recognise and accept our differences as a continent and people of diverse cultures, and love one another regardless. Both indigenous and non-indigenous businesses should be able to thrive in every country on the African continent – that way we’ll become the most formidable continent on the planet,” said Burna Boy.
Kwesta added: “There’s no way we’re going to have peace as a nation or continent if we don’t unite as Africans. Things are as they are right now because we’re fighting against each other. We need to stand together, support one another and protect each other, especially our women.”
Jidenna, who is on tour promoting his 85 To Africa album, will be performing in Tshwane only. The Nigerian-American rapper says he’s excited to be part of what he sees as an opportunity to solidify all Africans around the world and to celebrate our “Africanness”.
Presented by South Africa’s Department of Sports, Arts and Culture with Channel O and sponsored by Play Network Africa, Africans Unite is a collaborative project that aims to rebuild trust and respect among African nations by changing the narrative to one of unity and solidarity.
Africans Unite takes place in Cape Town at The Lawns on the November 23 and Tshwane’s Sun Arena on November 24.
Tickets for Tshwane from Computicket tomorrow, those for Cape Town from Webtickets and Pick n Pay stores; prices start at R250.