Chris Brown concert shines spotlight on violence against women in South Africa
Chris Brown’s upcoming concert in South Africa has sparked renewed attention on the country’s alarming rates of violence against women, with activists arguing that his presence sends a troubling message given his history of abuse.
In under two hours, the Grammy-winning artist sold out tickets for his performance at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium, Africa’s largest stadium with a capacity of over 94,000 seats. The high demand resulted in the addition of a second concert date in December.
Despite this interest, the R&B star has faced significant backlash from those opposed to his performance due to his violent past.
“I was shocked and deeply disappointed when I heard the news about Chris Brown coming to South Africa,” said Sabina Walter, executive director of Women for Change, an organization advocating for the rights of women and children in South Africa.
The group has launched a petition to prevent the U.S. artist from performing, which has already garnered over 20,000 signatures.
“The petition was initiated to convey a strong message that we will not tolerate the celebration of individuals with a history of violence against women,” Ms. Walter emphasized, particularly in a country like South Africa.
South Africa has one of the highest rates of femicide and gender-based violence globally. A rape is reported approximately every 12 minutes, and many more incidents likely go unreported.
“When someone like Chris Brown is given a platform in a country facing a crisis in gender-based violence, it sends a harmful message—that fame and power outweigh accountability,” said Ms. Walter.
The most notorious instance of Chris Brown’s abuse occurred in 2009 during a domestic altercation with singer Rihanna. At just 19 years old, Brown pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to five years of probation, community service, and domestic violence counseling.
Although Rihanna forgave him, and they briefly reconciled afterward, Chris Brown has faced allegations of violence from other women and men.
Women for Change is questioning how the Department of Home Affairs could issue a visa to “a convicted abuser.”
For Ms Walter, the decision is “concerning and indicative of a systemic failure”.
According to South African law, having a previous conviction can result in a visa being denied. But there can be an exception for “good cause” and those are cleared by the Director General of the Department of Home Affairs.
Chris Brown has previously been banned from entering other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, although he has subsequently gone on to play in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
But his South African fans are undeterred.
Former University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng shared on X that she would be attending the Chris Brown concert.
“I am totally against GBV and condemn it. I believe that those who perpetrate GBV should face the full might of the law without exceptions or leniency.
“But let me be clear, just in case the message didn’t sit well: I am going to attend Brown’s concert if he comes. These two things are not mutually exclusive.
“To suggest that enjoying a concert aligns you with every past action of the artist is, at best, simplistic and, at worst, intellectually dishonest,” she said.
Prof Phakeng explained that “music is bigger than the individual”.
She added that boycotting Chris Brown’s concert wouldn’t end GBV in South Africa.
“Attending the concert does not magically erase our moral stance on GBV.”
Although this is not Chris Brown’s first concert in South Africa, there is huge excitement among his fans.
One said on X: “Chris Brown coming to South Africa??… I’ll take a loan for a meet & greet.”
“Chris Brown you don’t know us yet… but my wife and I will be those two microscopic fans in the stands singing and dancing to every jam!!!!” said another.
Ms Waters said she had even received threats because of her campaign against the US star.
“Supporters of Chris Brown seem ready to defend him at any cost,” she said.
“The criticism we are facing for our petition speaks volumes and actually reveals a deep disconnect in how we, as a society, view violence against women.”
She said that too often people were willing to “excuse abusive” behaviour when it comes to celebrities they admire.
Selective outrage is dangerous because it perpetuates the rape culture and high levels of violence women face every day, said Ms Walters.
President Cyril Ramaphosa accepts that South Africa has a huge problem with gender-based violence and in August, he called on the country’s men to take a stand.
“Our ultimate goal is to end gender-based violence altogether,” he said.
Yet this goal remains a distant one – little has changed five years after he called for action to tackle the country’s “rape crisis”.
This year alone, Women for Change has honoured over 200 women who have lost their lives to femicide.
“This fight isn’t just about this concert. It’s about changing the narrative in South Africa, where abusers are held accountable and where violence against women is never excused, overlooked, or forgotten.”
