AFRICAN artistes have stepped up the fight against xenophobia with South African hip-hop artiste Cassper Nyovest who is due to perform at Hartsfield Stadium in Bulawayo at the weekend leading the way.
BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
Cassper Nyovest last week defied all odds when he donated proceeds of his upcoming show to survivors of the attacks in Zimbabwe as there had been calls for him to cancel his Bulawayo engagement as had been done by his compatriots Big Nuz.
The show has since been renamed “No to Xenophobia” concert. But the youthful rapper took the opportunity to stand up against the barbaric attacks that have left several foreigners dead, putting the lives of millions others living in the country at risk.
Organisers of the show have engaged several local and regional artistes to collaborate in song as a stand against xenophobia. According to humanitarian musician Anderson Mamimine, who will be providing the sound for the Saturday show, the event will go a long way as a solidarity gesture by fellow African artistes.
“I am deeply saddened by the inhuman xenophobic attacks that are currently happening in South Africa, threatening the lives of innocent people from our land and taking the lives of fellow brothers and sisters from other African countries.
“Personally, I have a son who resides in Cape Town and, therefore, vulnerable to xenophobia,” Mamimine said.
Theatre production house Xpressive Arts has added its voice to the fight against xenophobia.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“We have produced the hilarious comedy, The Greyman Experiment, which will be showcased at the Harare International Festival of the Arts and this play stars Bongani Xulu and a Zimbabwean actress Precious Mudzingwa,” the company said.
Producer and presenter Zandile Ndlovu, who is in South Africa at the moment, said yesterday she had engaged up to six artistes in that country with whom she was working on a xenophobia track.
“I used the opportunity of being at the South African Music Awards to talk to various artistes and got the likes of Lira, Bucie, Malaika, DJ Cleo and Loyiso Bhala among others to join in the campaign. They already were scheduled to record their own song as South African artistes, but they welcomed the initiative to work with us. Our message is definitely going stronger and spreading across Africa,” Ndlovu said.
She said all the involved artistes were composing their own part for the song.
The track will also include input by Mamimine, songstress Shingie Mangoma and Zambian Mampi.
“My last word is in as much as people want to boycott South African artistes’ gigs, we rather prefer that they attend and we use their stage alongside them to spread the message of zero tolerance to xenophobia. Together we make an even bigger impact.”
