Salif Keita cancels South Africa concerts over xenophobic attacks

Renowned Malian musician Salif Keïta has canceled upcoming performances in South Africa, citing recent xenophobic violence in the country.

In a statement, the 77-year-old artist, known as the "Golden Voice of Africa," said he could not ignore reports of violence against African migrants. "When I see migrants attacked, I do not see 'politics,'" he said. "I see people looking for work, safety, and dignity." Keïta added that the violence did not reflect the South Africa he had known and that his decision was a "rejection of hate" rather than a rejection of South Africans.

The cancellation affects his planned appearance at the Macufe festival in Free State province next month. The provincial government expressed disappointment, noting that the festival celebrates African unity. "We regret the decision taken by the renowned musician," a spokesperson for the Free State Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation said in a statement.

South Africa has experienced a surge in anti-migrant protests in recent months, with demonstrators demanding that undocumented immigrants leave the country. The latest unofficial deadline set by protesters is September 30. Tens of thousands of Africans, including Malawians, Zimbabweans, Zambians, Ghanaians, and Nigerians, have voluntarily repatriated since May, with many citing intimidation and attacks as their reasons for leaving.

The South African government has stated that it is cracking down on illegal immigration and has arrested individuals who have taken the law into their own hands. The issue of illegal immigration has become a contentious political topic, with protesters accusing undocumented migrants of straining public services and contributing to crime.

The first group of 173 Tanzanians returned from South Africa on Wednesday as part of a voluntary repatriation program. Abdul Idi, who went to South Africa in 2006, said he was grateful to be back safely after enduring difficult and dangerous circumstances. "Foreigners are not wanted there," he said upon arrival in Dar es Salaam.

Another returnee, Rashid Ramadhan, who spent 30 years in South Africa, described how he and others were forced out of their accommodations in Durban and had been living outside for the past two months. Their jobs were gone, and life had become increasingly difficult, he said.

According to an AFP count, more than 160,000 people have left South Africa through similar repatriation schemes since May. The anti-migrant group March and March has announced a second wave of nationwide protests set for September 30. Earlier this month, the group called on leaders attending the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Durban to "fetch your people."

Ghana's government has rejected a $1.7 million donation from MTN Ghana, a subsidiary of South African telecoms giant MTN Group, intended to support Ghanaians repatriated from South Africa. The Ghanaian foreign ministry stated that the government was committed to funding the evacuation and reintegration of its repatriated citizens.