“Phakeng Clarifies Stance on GBV Amid Backlash Over Chris Brown Concert”
Former University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng is under fire after announcing she will attend Chris Brown’s December concert at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
This sparked outrage due to Brown’s history of domestic violence.
Chris Brown tickets secured. Hall of fame seats here we come! ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ๐๐ฝ pic.twitter.com/tsrTka9Efa
โ Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) (@FabAcademic) October 1, 2024
Old tweets from Phakeng condemning gender-based violence (GBV) resurfaced, leading many to accuse her of โdouble standardsโ and supporting an โabuserโ.
In a lengthy thread on social media, Phakeng said her stance against GBV had nothing to do with her attending the concert.
โI 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 didnโt sit well: I am going to attend Brownโs 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.
โMusic is bigger than the individual. It connects us and heals us in different ways. Some of us are capable of loving art while holding artists accountable. Attending the concert does not magically erase our moral stance on GBV. It does not make us hypocrites, nor does it make us blind to the gravity of Brownโs past actions. In this case I donโt have the full details of his past actions. I simply love his music. If you hold a different view, then big ups to you, but please do not impose your narrow beliefs on me or anyone for that matter.โ
Yes, itโs definitely me. Even today, I am totally against GBV and strongly condemn it in all its forms. 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 didnโt sit well: Iโฆ https://t.co/t5hAp0imO5
โ Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) (@FabAcademic) October 7, 2024
Brown’s concert has received mixed reactions. Ticketsย sold out in hours, indicating significant interest, while a petition calling for concert cancellation due to Brown’s abuse history and South Africa’s GBV concerns trended.
Phakeng said boycotting the event would not eradicate GBV in South Africa.
โIf you think boycotting this one concert is going to end GBV in South Africa you are delulu [delusional] and unfortunately I canโt help you. The number of people who have bought tickets is enough to secure a political party at least three seats in the National Assembly. Thatโs what should worry you.
โInstead of educating them by making strong intellectual arguments about how their attendance at the concert affects GBV cases in South Africa, you think insults directed at me (and petitions signed by 12 people) will make a difference. Please.
โInstead of policing each otherโs entertainment choices, letโs direct that energy into genuine and meaningful activism against GBV. This cancel culture nonsense is so 2020. Itโs 2024, you canโt be that entitled. If you think insults are going to make me change my mind, Iโm sorry to disappoint you. Iโm going to the concert and I need no-oneโs permission or support.โ
Phakeng reiterated that attending the concert will not silence her voice against GBV.
โIf you think attending will silence my voice against GBV, then Iโm sorry to disappoint you again because I will continue to speak out against GBV and educate our young men on how to be decent, loving human beings.โ
Make it make sense https://t.co/ELvmh283NR
โ The Kiffness (@TheKiffness) October 3, 2024