The South African government has admitted that growing allegations of xenophobia are beginning to damage the country’s entertainment industry, international image, and business interests across the African continent.

Speaking during a media briefing on June 15, 2026, South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, revealed that several South African entertainers are already facing the consequences, with some reportedly losing performance opportunities in other African countries due to the negative perception surrounding xenophobic attacks.

According to Kubayi, the backlash is not only affecting musicians and creatives but is also creating difficulties for South African-owned businesses operating outside the country.

“It’s our artistes. The majority of South African artistes perform on the continent, and many are seeing their gigs cancelled. So that’s another impact of this because they benefit quite a lot. They perform at live events and everything. So they are receiving a hit,” she explained.

She further disclosed that one female entertainer personally contacted her to complain that all her bookings across Africa had been cancelled because of the situation.

“We’ve not been able to work together. So we’ll definitely work with arts and culture to understand the impact this will have. But one artiste did reach out to me to say that all her gigs on the continent were cancelled. This is an income loss for South Africa. So the brand does get affected,” Kubayi added.

The minister’s comments come amid renewed conversations about xenophobia in South Africa following concerns raised by citizens of other African countries over attacks and hostility directed at foreign nationals.

In recent days, Ghanaian media personality Kofi Okyere Darko, popularly known as KOD, also attempted to calm tensions by assuring that South Africans living in Ghana would not face retaliation despite the ongoing controversy.

Meanwhile, Kubayi stated that the South African government has begun engaging with citizens and businesses abroad to provide assistance where necessary. She revealed that government officials, including Minister Alamola, have been assigned to interact with affected South Africans and offer support services.

“Minister Alamola has met with them, and we’re providing services, support services, and consular services for those businesses on the continent and outside the continent. So where they face a backlash, where they face difficulties, that would be one of the areas that we would have to look at as well, which has come to my attention,” she stated.

Kubayi stressed that the government cannot ignore the growing criticism and its economic consequences. She noted that authorities are intensifying efforts to reassure the international community that South Africans are not inherently xenophobic while encouraging citizens to handle immigration concerns lawfully.

“That’s why part of what we are doing is to explain that South Africans are not xenophobic. And we are also telling South Africans: let’s be responsible. And that’s why we must deal with the issue of illegal immigrants,” she said.

She continued: “Those you have legally within the borders, please protect them as you protect South Africans. So that’s the message as well that we continue to communicate.”

The minister also condemned mob justice and warned that innocent people are sometimes targeted based on appearance, language, or assumptions about nationality. According to her, if the issue is not properly addressed, it could damage social unity within South Africa and weaken the country’s relationship with the rest of Africa.

“To a certain extent, this affects others who are not even foreign nationals because of language and how they look. So it’s those things we believe can not only help the brand but also strengthen our social cohesion,” Kubayi noted.

Her remarks have since sparked widespread debate online, with many Africans calling for stronger measures to protect foreign nationals while others continue to demand stricter immigration enforcement within South Africa. The situation remains a sensitive topic across the continent as governments, entertainers, and business leaders monitor the growing diplomatic and cultural impact of the controversy.

Watch the video below:

“Majority of South artists who perform on the African continent are seeing their gigs getting cancelled. One artist reached out to me and said all her gigs were cancelled.” – South Africa Justice Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi pic.twitter.com/WV3zKX3v5V

— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) June 15, 2026

Source: Yvonne Nyarko Agyemang