Exploring the Backlash Against Chris Brown’s Upcoming Concert in South Africa as Petition to Ban His Performance Gains Over 20,000 Signatures

A women’s advocacy organization has launched a petition on change.org aiming to prevent Chris Brown from performing at his scheduled concerts in South Africa. This initiative, reported by the BBC on Sunday, October 13, 2024, is spearheaded by Women for Change, an organization dedicated to the rights of women and children in South Africa. The petition, hashtagged #MUTECHRISBROWN, has attracted over 26,000 supporters at the time of this writing.

The concerts in question are part of the R&B artist’s Breezy in South Africa tour, set for December 14 and 15. According to the group, Brown’s past is marred by incidents of domestic violence, notably his 2009 conviction for assaulting his then-partner, Rihanna.

Notably, the performances are slated to occur just after the global observance of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which is promoted by the United Nations. A statement from the organization emphasizes:

“Chris Brown’s violent history against women, highlighted by his 2009 arrest for Rihanna’s assault, sharply contradicts the values of this international Anti-GBV initiative. This is particularly concerning in a nation where the rate of femicide is five times higher than the global average. Allowing Chris Brown to perform sends a detrimental message to survivors of abuse, undermining the strides made in combating GBV within South Africa.”

Chris Brown’s concert tickets reportedly sold out in under two hours

According to BBC reports, the Grammy Award-winning artist’s performance, scheduled to take place at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium – the largest stadium in Africa with a capacity of over 94,000 – was sold out in less than two hours. Due to overwhelming demand, an additional concert was subsequently added.

In a conversation with the outlet, Sabina Walter, the executive director of Women for Change, expressed her astonishment and dissatisfaction. She highlighted that the nation grapples with high rates of femicide and gender-based violence (GBV), stating:

“The petition serves as a powerful statement against the glorification of individuals with a history of domestic violence. When an artist like Chris Brown is given a stage in a country facing a crisis in GBV, it communicates a harmful message—that celebrity status can overshadow accountability.”

Chris Brown’s history of abusive behavior is well-documented, with his 2009 altercation involving Rihanna being particularly notable. At just 19 years old, he pleaded guilty to his charges and was sentenced to probation, community service, and counseling for domestic violence.

Walter also criticized the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for issuing a visa to “a convicted abuser,”arguing that this decision reflects “a concerning systemic failure.”While South African law typically prohibits individuals with convictions from obtaining visas, exceptions can be made under “good cause,”which allows the Director General of the Department of Home Affairs to approve such applications.

It is important to note that Chris Brown has been prohibited from entering countries like the U.K., Australia, Canada, and New Zealand in the past, although he has managed to perform in the U.K. subsequently.

As reported by BBC, Walter has faced threats as a result of her efforts to halt Chris Brown’s concert.

“The backlash we are experiencing over our petition underscores a significant divide in societal attitudes towards violence against women,”she remarked.

Additionally, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, the former vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town, expressed on her X platform that she intends to attend Chris Brown’s concert, despite opposing gender-based violence, asserting that enjoyment of music and standing against GBV are not mutually exclusive.

“Claiming that attending a concert means you agree with every action taken by the artist is overly simplistic and intellectually dishonest,”she tweeted.

This controversy arises alongside the forthcoming premiere of a documentary titled Chris Brown: A History of Violence, which is set to air later this month and will explore various allegations made against the artist throughout the years.

Recently, Chris Brown completed his 11:11 Tour in support of his album of the same name.

As of now, Chris Brown has not publicly addressed the criticism surrounding his upcoming performance.

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