Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly called Burna Boy, has said that nothing would stop him from going to South Africa for his scheduled performan
Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly called Burna Boy, has said that nothing would stop him from going to South Africa for his scheduled performance at the ‘Africa Unite Concert’ billed to hold in Pretoria on November 24.
“Lol. I’m coming and you and anyone against it are gunna have to kill me to stop me,” the 28-year-old music star tweeted on Saturday.
On Thursday, some South African artistes and showbiz personalities called for a boycott of the concert because of Burna Boy’s inclusion. Burna Boy and a South African artiste, Kwesta, are billed to headline the two-day concert.
Said to be powered by Channel O, ‘Africans Unite’ is a collaborative project which aims to rebuild trust and respect by changing the current narrative about the continent.
The opposing parties said they won’t allow Burna Boy step into their country if he fails to apologise for the comments he made during the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in the country.
Spearheading the opposition is South African star, AKA Worldwide, who has insisted that he (Burna Boy) must apologise. On another hand, Tshwane Entertainment Collective, a group of South African showbiz experts have also questioned Burna Boy’s inclusion and the exclusion of artists and event organisers from Tshwane.
Shortly after the news broke, South Africa’s Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a South African political party, came to the defence of Burna Boy. Julius Malema tweeted to reassure Burna Boy of his safety.
“Looking forward to receiving and being entertained by my brother @burnaboy here at his home called South Africa. There’s no mascot that can stop him from performing, he’s one of our own and we will protect him. We must resolutely oppose regionalism led by political illiterates,” he wrote.
His comment has, however, opened the floodgates of criticism on his Twitter page.
Burna Boy who thanked the politician for coming to his defense was forced to break his silence on Saturday when he quoted a tweet asking him not to be deceived by the offer of protection from Mr. Malema.
Burna’s tweets read, “Please my people, there should never be a South Africa vs Nigeria war or any African country vs African country war ever. We must unite by any means for the future of our children and their children. I want a united African passport that will be as powerful as the ……….passport.
“Saying I mislead people? And I made up the xenophobic attacks and I should apologise. Really? Lol. In 2015 Even I was a victim of the misguided hate so I know. Go and demand apologies from your REAL Enemies. I am not your Enemy. I will not be called “foreigner” I am AFRICAN. I love South Africa. I love Africa more”.
AKA has also reacted to Burna Boy’s tweet.
The South African rapper who also took a swipe at Malema told his countrymen not to allow politicians to hijack the campaign against Burna Boy.
