South African Artistes Losing Gigs Across Africa - Justice Minister Confirms

Justice Minister of South Africa, Mmamoloko Kubayi has revealed that recent xenophobic tensions are causing an increasing number of South African artistes to lose performance gigs across the continent.

The development coincides with the ongoing criticism of South Africa's handling of foreign people from a number of African countries. 

A group called The March and March movement, triggered large-scale protests in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban in late April.

Since then, there has been a wider European backlash with social and economic repercussions.

Over 800 Ghanaians reportedly registered with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria to voluntarily return home after the violence and about 350 were subsequently removed from South Africa.

Other African countries including Nigeria have also raised concerns about the tensions and issued advisories to their citizens residing in South Africa.

During a news conference, Kubayi acknowledged the crisis' increasing effects on the nation's creative industry and disclosed that a number of artistes are currently experiencing cancelled bookings around Africa.

She emphasised that South African performers rely significantly on continental bookings and live events for revenue, adding that the government will involve stakeholders in the arts and cultural sector to thoroughly evaluate the economic impact.

"Majority of South African artistes perform on the continent, and many of them are seeing their gigs being cancelled. One artiste reached out to me and said all her gigs were cancelled on the continent. This is an income loss by a South African," she said.

As diplomatic and societal tensions continue, authorities say more evaluations are being conducted to ascertain the wider effects of the cancellations on the nation's creative sector.