The artists have been removed from upcoming performances following public backlash over South Africa’s anti-illegal immigration protests.
Harare, Zimbabwe (Running Africa) — South African music stars Musa Keys and Mafikizolo have been removed from separate concerts in Zimbabwe after online campaigns linked to South Africa’s anti-illegal immigration protests prompted organizers to revise their event line-ups.
Musa Keys was dropped from the Mighty Zambezi Lager Bonfire Festival, scheduled for July 4 in Harare, following calls on Zimbabwean social media to boycott South African performers in response to the ongoing anti-immigration demonstrations. Festival organizers subsequently released an updated program featuring only Zimbabwean artists.
Days later, award-winning duo Mafikizolo were also removed from the Buddie Beatz Concert in Victoria Falls, set for July 5 as part of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon festivities. Promotional material for the event was revised after online campaigns threatened to disrupt the concert if the South African pair performed.
The cancellations come amid heightened diplomatic and public tensions between South Africa and Zimbabwe following anti-illegal immigration demonstrations across South Africa. The protests intensified ahead of a June 30 deadline set by activist groups demanding the removal of undocumented migrants and have largely focused on Zimbabweans, who make up one of the country’s largest migrant communities.
The decision to remove the artists has sparked debate on both sides of the border. Critics argue that musicians should not be held accountable for political disputes or government policies beyond their control, while supporters of the cancellations say the move represents solidarity with Zimbabweans affected by the recent anti-immigration campaign.
The developments highlight how growing political tensions between neighboring countries are increasingly spilling into cultural and entertainment events, raising fresh concerns about the impact on regional artistic collaboration and cross-border cultural exchange.
