South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has issued an urgent warning that the country’s entertainers are losing performance bookings across the African continent as perceptions of xenophobia damage the nation’s reputation and economic interests abroad.
Speaking during an interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) over the weekend, Kubayi confirmed that several South African artists have reported cancelled shows in other African countries, with one unnamed performer claiming that all her scheduled continental gigs had been wiped out entirely.
“The majority of South African artists perform on the continent, and many of them are seeing their gigs being cancelled,” Kubayi said. “One artist did reach out to me to say all her gigs were cancelled on the continent. This is an income lost by a South African”.
The minister acknowledged that the fallout from South Africa’s migration tensions is now visibly affecting the creative sector, one of the country’s strongest cultural exports. “We cannot deny that there is a backlash,” she told SABC, noting that government agencies are intensifying engagements with South African businesses operating within Africa and beyond.
Anti-immigrant protests ignite continental backlash
The crisis began in late April 2026, when thousands of South Africans took to the streets of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban in anti-immigration protests organised by the March and March group. The demonstrations, which included sporadic attacks on foreign-owned businesses, triggered a wave of condemnation from across the African continent.
Human rights groups report that migrants from countries including Mozambique, Malawi, Nigeria and Ghana have been forced to flee affected areas or seek protection amid renewed hostility toward undocumented migrants and growing economic frustration among local communities.
The diplomatic fallout has been swift and severe. Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi have all evacuated some of their citizens from South Africa. Around 350 Ghanaians were evacuated following the attacks, with more than 800 registering with the Ghana High Commission in Pretoria for voluntary repatriation. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has also confirmed ongoing efforts to secure the safety and return of citizens affected by rising tensions.
Creative industry bears the cost
For South African musicians, DJs, and performers who have long enjoyed strong support across Africa — regularly headlining festivals and concerts in neighbouring countries — the cancellations represent a direct threat to their livelihoods. Live performances remain the primary source of wealth for artists, with streaming royalties earning roughly R400 million in South Africa for 2024, yet still building fame more than financial security.
Kubayi disclosed that her government has not yet been able to fully coordinate with the arts and culture department, but promised urgent collaboration to understand the full impact of the backlash on the entertainment industry. Minister Ronald Lamola has already met with affected South African businesses operating abroad, with consular support services being strengthened to assist those facing difficulties.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development reiterated that South Africans should not be broadly labelled as xenophobic and urged African countries to distinguish between efforts to address illegal migration and the protection of legally resident foreigners.
Nevertheless, she conceded that the damage is already being felt well beyond the creative sector. “We are raising the issues…the brand is hurting, we can’t lie about it. The backlash is why part of the work we are doing is engagement with businesses abroad,” she said.
Sports diplomacy also wounded
The xenophobia backlash has even spilled into the sporting arena. Last week, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams expressed profound disappointment after many African football fans appeared to support Mexico rather than South Africa during the national team’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a 2-0 defeat for South Africa in Group A.
“Africans have always supported other African countries at World Cup tournaments, but I can’t understand why our situation is different. Many Africans supported Mexico instead of South Africa. It was painful to see,” Williams said.
The captain’s remarks have fuelled debate over whether strained relations with fellow African nations — driven largely by recurring xenophobia concerns — are now reshaping continental attitudes toward South African culture, enterprise and diplomacy.
Government walks a tightrope
Kubayi has urged communities to reject vigilantism against foreign nationals, warning that attacks often extend to South African citizens mistaken for foreigners based on language or appearance, and that unchecked hostility could deepen divisions along lines of cultural and tribal diversity.
“It’s those things we believe can not only help the brand but also strengthen our social cohesion,” she said. “It can divide us further in terms of our cultural diversity. We have embraced our cultural diversity and inclusion, and welcomed each other from different tribes and communities. If we don’t deal with this internally, it can hurt us internally and externally”.
The minister’s dual message — acknowledging real-world consequences for the creative economy while condemning lawlessness — underscores the complex path ahead as South Africa attempts to salvage its continental standing. For the country’s artists, whose performances abroad translate directly into income, the lost gigs are not merely a diplomatic problem: they represent a livelihood crisis unfolding in real time, with no immediate resolution in sight.
