Salif Keita Cancels South Africa Concerts Over Violence Against African Migrants
- Legendary Malian musician Salif Keita announced the cancellation of all upcoming commercial performances in South Africa
- Keita released an open letter citing rising xenophobic violence targeting African migrants as the reason behind his decision
- The 'Golden Voice of Africa' said the same conscience that pushed him to oppose apartheid now drives his stance
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
Legendary Malian musician Salif Keita has cancelled his upcoming concert dates in South Africa amid rising xenophobic violence against African migrants, expressing deep moral concerns in an open letter to South Africans. Keita emphasised that this decision is a response to the violence faced by his fellow Africans, rather than a rejection of the South African people.
"I close the door on hate, but my heart remains open to the vision of an Africa where every human being can live without fear."
Salif Keita's stance on xenophobia
Keita acknowledged the genuine economic frustrations many South Africans face, but argued that those hardships must never be turned into a weapon against fellow Africans. He also reminded readers that colonial borders are artificial lines that should never be allowed to override a shared humanity.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Widely celebrated as the "Golden Voice of Africa," Keita has dedicated more than five decades of his career to championing African identity, unity, and human rights through music. His bond with South Africa stretches back to 1988, when he performed at the legendary Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium, a watershed moment in the global fight against apartheid.
Source: Getty Images
Despite the cancellations, Keita has not entirely closed the chapter on South Africa. He expressed a willingness to perform in non-commercial settings, including local townships, or any space where music can nurture dialogue, healing, and the spirit of ubuntu. His hope is to return to the country once solidarity and peace take root again.
The Africa hitmaker was scheduled to perform at the iconic Macufe festival on 12 September 2026 at the Loch Logan Waterfront in Bloemfontein.
His message and decision to boycott major South African shows arrive amid growing unrest and tensions stemming from anti-illegal immigration demonstrations across the country.
This follows his emergency medical withdrawal from the inaugural African edition of the Montreux Jazz Festival held in Franschhoek earlier in March.
Keita's decision places him among a growing number of continental leaders and cultural voices raising alarms about xenophobia and sends a pointed message about the cost of anti-migrant violence to South Africa's standing within the broader pan-African community.
See the cancelled event poster below.
Mafikizolo dropped from Zimbabwe show
In an earlier report, Briefly News shared insight into the latest South African musicians who were axed from a major show due to the civic tension in the country.
Mafikizolo were excluded from a concert in Zimbabwe following massive public backlash after Zimbabwean youth, who informed the singers that they were not welcome in their country.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
