Despite the controversy surrounding the timing of the sold-out shows, Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie has encouraged South Africans to attend the Chris Brown concert.
The outspoken leader made the comments during a press briefing of his 100 days in office.
Gayton’s comments come amid a petition by NGO Women For Change calling on the Department of Home Affairs to revoke the US singer’s visa.
Chris’s scheduled shows will occur just days after the government’s 16 Days of Activism campaign to end gender-based violence (GBV).
Next week, Investigation Discovery is set to air a documentary about the artist’s “history of abuse,” particularly against women.
GAYTON MCKENZIE SPEAKS ON CHRIS BROWN’S SA CONCERTS
During his media briefing on Thursday, 17 October, Gayton McKenzie gave the public feedback on what the Department of Sport, Art, and Culture had achieved in 100 days under his leadership.
In one of his points, Gayton claimed that he would prioritise hosting big music festivals in the country to attract high-profile artists.
The minister then mentioned Chris Brown, who has been trending all week over his comments “taunting” those who had signed the petition to cancel his shows.
Gayton said: “South Africans love dancing. Chris Brown’s concert was sold out in two hours. Our people are hungry for international acts”.
He added: “Don’t go any further, go to the Chris Brown concert.”
Surprisingly, the Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber, has remained mum on the petition. Government has also not addressed the public’s concern that bringing the artist – who has a history of domestic abuse – would “perpetuate” the notion that GBV is acceptable.
Likewise, show promoters Big Concerts have declined to comment.
However, he added that despite the unconventional dynamic, he was not an absent father.
“Their surnames are all McKenzie; I look after all my kids.”
In 2003, Gayton McKenzie – then a convicted armed robber – made headlines after he wed his lawyer Nicolette Joubert. The couple had two daughters together.
A decade later, the businessman-turned-politician hinted that he had wronged his wife, who he had since divorced.
He tweeted: “I hurt my ex-wife indescribably, but a bad word about me will never be heard by strangers or our kids, sheer class always.”
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