South Africa's anti-immigrant backlash sparks cultural boycott and Makhadzi response

Anti‑immigrant protests in South Africa have escalated into a regional cultural boycott. Zimbabwean officials and social‑media users called for boycotts of South African musicians, leading to the cancellation of Makhadzi’s concert in Harare and the removal of the duo Mafikizolo from a Zimbabwean line‑up. Militant vigilante groups such as Operation Dudula have organised house‑to‑house raids and demanded that all undocumented foreigners leave South Africa, prompting the government to deploy over 3,000 police officers.

In a lengthy Facebook post, South African singer Makhadzi denied accusations that she hates Zimbabweans, highlighting her history of featuring Zimbabwean artists and expressing continued African solidarity. She thanked supporters and promoted her upcoming EP, while the debate over immigration and cultural ties continues across southern Africa.