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International artist Chris Brown is scheduled to perform at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium on December 14 and 15.
Tickets for the December 15 show sold out within hours, but his visit to South Africa has been met with significant backlash, particularly in a country grappling with one of the highest rates of femicide and gender-based violence (GBV) in the world.
Chris’s infamous assault on his then-girlfriend Rihanna, which occurred eight years ago, remains a haunting memory for many, especially GBV survivors and their supporters.
For them, time does not heal all wounds. The upcoming tour has reignited outrage as a new documentary titled Chris Brown: A History of Violence is set to premiere in October, shortly before his South African tour dates.
The film dives into Brown’s history of violence, making his upcoming performances even more controversial.
In protest of his arrival, the non-profit organisation Women For Change has launched a petition calling for Brown to be barred from entering or performing in South Africa.
So far, the petition has garnered over 30,000 signatures, according to TimesLive.
Women For Change calls on concert organisers @BigConcerts , promoters, and the South African government @HomeAffairsSA @Leon_Schreib to reconsider the decision to allow Chris Brown to perform in Johannesburg on 14 December 2024.
Sign here: https://t.co/LILv6Y4ZJi
Almost 7,000… pic.twitter.com/zrYKwSV7eZ
— Women For Change (@womenforchange5) October 4, 2024
Women For Change advocates for the fight against GBV through education and raising awareness, and their efforts have resonated with many angered by Brown’s presence in the country.
However, Chris seems determined to go ahead with the tour. He recently posted a photo on Instagram of himself wearing a balaclava adorned with the South African flag, with the crude caption, “IM STEPPING ON SHIT!”
The statement has incited even more anger, as many view it as a disrespectful and callous response to the criticism.
Chris further inflamed the situation by commenting, “Can’t wait to come,” on a video by social commentator Darren Campher, reposted by Women For Change.
A post shared by Women For Change (@womenforchangesa)
His words have only fueled the fire, deepening the public’s discontent before his controversial visit.
Words: Fame Frenzy
