Ahead of Chris Brown’s highly anticipated performance in South Africa this December, a growing wave of opposition is calling for the American musician to be banned from entering the country. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has been urged to declare Brown an “undesirable person,” sparking a national debate over the controversial artist’s past and his place on the South African stage.
According to TimesLIVE, Brett Herron, the secretary-general of the GOOD party, has taken the lead, writing a formal letter to Minister Schreiber, citing Brown’s troubled history. Scheduled to perform in Johannesburg on December 14 and 15, Brown’s arrival is under scrutiny due to his 2009 felony assault charge involving then-girlfriend Rihanna, an incident that continues to haunt his career.
“Chris Brown has already been denied entry into countries like the UK and Canada, and places like Australia and New Zealand have made it clear he wouldn’t be welcome there,” Herron said in his letter. He emphasized that allowing Brown to perform in South Africa would undermine the government’s ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), a pressing issue in the country.
“It’s inconceivable that someone convicted of a violent assault on a woman is given a star’s platform in a country grappling with the very same kind of violence. Our government must back up its commitment to eradicating GBVF with action, not contradiction,” Herron added.
The call to block Brown’s performances is gathering momentum, especially among advocacy groups. Women For Change, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about violence against women, has launched a petition that has already amassed over 45,550 signatures. Their message is clear: allowing Chris Brown to take the stage in South Africa sends the wrong message about how society views abuse and accountability.
In a powerful statement, the GOOD party echoed these sentiments. “We cannot normalize abusers,” the party declared. “No stage for abusers. We stand up for women’s safety, and Chris Brown’s concert sends the wrong message.”
As the December dates approach, the spotlight is now on whether the South African government will respond to these growing concerns or allow the controversial superstar to go ahead with his performances.
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