The Sunday News
POPULAR South African hip-hop artiste Cassper Nyovest has pledged to donate all proceeds from his Bulawayo show to survivors of the recent xenophobic attacks.
His pledge comes at a time when some local artistes have been calling on Zimbabweans to boycott all shows featuring South African performers.
In a series of tweets, some of which were surprisingly written in Shona, Nyovest expressed his disgust over the recent attacks on foreign nationals instigated by his fellow countrymen.
“What’s happening here at home is mad and disgusting but I am coming to Zimbabwe. I will not live in fear to be in the hands of my brothers. Actually I want to donate all the proceeds of my show in Zimbabwe next week to xenophobia survivors. I will come perform for free,” he tweeted.
His tweet has also been described by other artistes as a response to calls on Zimbabweans to boycott shows featuring South African artistes.
The South African rapper posted tweets in Shona, which received between 400 and 410 re-tweets by Friday midday.
In his tweets, Nyovest assured Zimbabweans that God would soon intervene and the violence would soon come to an end.
“Vhanu vekuZimbabwe musacheme, Mwari vhachapindira panezvese zvirikuitika muno, Mwari vhachapindira kusvika zvwanaka tirivhanu vamwe seAfrica,” read another tweet.
“Neniwo ndiripamunamato pamwe nemi kuti zvirikuitika muno zvipere. Muzive kuti Cassper anokudai mese.”
Nyovest is one among many other artistes both local and international that have openly condemned xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa.
A source close to Nyovest, who preferred anonymity, perhaps because of the situation said Nyovest believed he was “African first before a South African”.
“He believes that he is African, he will be performing for free in Zimbabwe as he feels it is important to maintain relations with Zimbabwe. He has been condemning xenophobia from day one.
“Part of his crew includes two Zimbabweans and I am sure they are the ones that have been teaching him how to speak and write Shona as well,” he said.
Responding to the gig cancellation calls Nyovest wrote: “People are advising me to cancel my show in Bulawayo next week and I am not budging. I do not support xenophobia therefore, my show in Zimbabwe is still on for the 25th of April. My Zimbabwean fans are gonna come to my show. We are one AFRICA therefore we will dance together. I will come perform for my brothers. Thank you.”
He is scheduled to perform in Bulawayo on 25 April at Hartsfield rugby grounds.
