Chris Brown Concert In South Africa Against Activists Against Violence Against Women

JAKARTA - Chris Brown is scheduled to hold a concert in South Africa at the end of the year. The 35-year-old R&B singer will appear at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, which has a capacity of more than 94,000 seats.

Brown concert tickets in South Africa were sold out in two hours, a second day of performance was announced. This illustrates how great enthusiasm for the presence of the 'With You' singer.

However, Women for Change, an organization that advocates for the rights of women and children in South Africa, opposes Chris Brown's presence in their country. They say the artist has a history of violence with women.

"When I saw the news that Chris Brown was coming to South Africa, I was shocked and very disappointed," said Sabina Walter, executive director of Women for Change, citing the BBC, Monday, October 14.

They are serious about opposing Chris Brown's presence, and have started a petition to stop the concert. Currently, the petition already has more than 20,000 signatures.

"This artist was created to convey a strong message that we will not tolerate celebrations for individuals who have a history of violence against women," Walter said.

"When someone like Chris Brown is given the opportunity in a country that is being hit by domestic violence, it sends a destructive message, that fame and power are more important than accountability," he continued.

One example of violence by Chris Brown, said Walter, was his fight with singer Rihanna in 2009.

Chris Brown, who was then 19 years old, pleaded guilty to the attack and was sentenced to five years of probation, public services, and domestic violence counseling.

In addition, former vice chancellor of Cape Town University, Prof. Mamokgenhi Phakeng, shared his views through X, and stated that he would attend Chris Brown's concert.

"I really oppose domestic violence and condemn it. I believe that those who commit domestic violence must face severe punishment without exception or leniency. However, allow me to emphasize, in case the message is less significant, I will attend Brown's concert if he comes. These two things are not related to each other," wrote Phakeng.

"Stating that enjoying concerts makes you aligned with every act of artists in the past is, at least, too simple and, at worst, intellectually dishonest," said Phakeng again.

Furthermore, he stated that boycotting Chris Brown's concert would not end KBG in South Africa.

"Permitting a concert does not necessarily erase our moral attitude towards KBG."