South African singer-songwriter Tyla has removed a scheduled show in Nigeria as tensions over anti-immigrant violence hamper relations between the two countries.
No reason was given for the change to her tour, but it came after some Nigerians on social media had called for a boycott of the show.
Protests
For months, South Africa has been the scene of protests – some of them violent – against African immigrants that demonstrators have blamed for crime, unemployment and a strain on public services.
Nigeria has become particularly outspoken on the issue, and tension was evident as high-ranking officials from Abuja and Pretoria met this week at the Nigerian ministry of foreign affairs.
Tyla, known for hits such as “Water” and collaborations with American artists Cardi B and Travis Scott, had on Monday announced stops for a world tour for her second album, “A*POP”, including Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, as well New York, Paris and Cape Town.
As of Friday morning, the Lagos leg – which had been timed to coincide with Nigeria’s year-end concerts frenzy season known as “Detty December” – had been removed from the line-up on her website.
Representatives for Tyla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Magnet for undocumented immigrants
South Africa, one of the continent’s most industrialised economies, has long been a magnet for both undocumented and documented immigrants.
But the nation is also saddled with high unemployment, weak social services and high crime, with immigrants being scapegoated for the country’s broader social ills and government failures, analysts say.South African police say at least four foreign nationals have been killed in attacks linked to the anti-migrant protests, though some African governments repatriating citizens have reported a higher toll.
More than 160 000 people have fled the country, according to an AFP tally based on figures from African governments repatriating their citizens, including about 1 500 Nigerians.
Pretoria’s handling of the protests has been heavily criticised as anti-immigrant groups have burst into people’s homes and dragged them into police vans.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse