South Africa's xenophobia backlash hits artists, businesses

South Africa is facing significant economic and cultural backlash across the African continent due to allegations of xenophobia, with the government acknowledging that businesses and artists are already suffering financial losses. Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed on Sunday that at least one South African female performer has lost all her scheduled performances in other African nations, a direct consequence of the country's damaged reputation.

Minister Kubayi, speaking in an interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation, stated that the government cannot deny the backlash. She revealed that the unnamed artist personally contacted her to report the continent-wide cancellations, describing it as a lost income for a South African citizen. Kubayi emphasized that many South African artists depend heavily on touring income from audiences in countries like Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and a growing number are seeing their bookings cancelled.

The minister sought to clarify the government's position, asserting that recent state actions, including mass evacuations and deportations, were strictly targeted at individuals residing in the country illegally and were not...