Tyla calls for African unity following xenophobia backlash

South African singer Tyla has called for continental unity following intense criticism regarding her silence on xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa. Speaking at the 32nd South African Music Awards (SAMA32) held at Sun City, the Grammy-winning artist expressed pride in her South African identity while emphasizing her broader African identity.

“I am just so happy to be South African. I’m happy to be African most of all. I pray one day to see a unified Africa. It’s so important,” Tyla stated in a video from the event.

The remarks follow a period of controversy surrounding her planned performance in Lagos, Nigeria, which was part of her ‘A POP World Tour’. Nigerian social media users and public figures had campaigned for a boycott of the concert, criticizing the singer for not using her platform to address tensions between South Africans and other African migrants. Consequently, the scheduled Lagos performance for December 2026 was removed from her tour itinerary.