The Malian music legend says he is rejecting xenophobic violence, not the South African people, as more than 160,000 migrants have reportedly left the country

Malian singer and songwriter Salif Keita, 76, has cancelled his upcoming commercial performances in South Africa after expressing concern over reported xenophobic violence against African migrants, his manager confirmed on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

Also read: Senate Warns South Africa Over Xenophobic Attacks

The decision by the celebrated musician, widely known as the “Golden Voice of Africa”, comes after months of anti-migrant protests across South Africa, some of which have descended into violence. (IOL)

Keita announced the decision in an emotional statement shared on Facebook on Tuesday, saying he could not remain silent over reports of attacks against migrants from other African countries.

“I cannot ignore the reports of xenophobic violence against our African brothers and sisters,” Keita said.

He described the cancellation of his shows as a “painful decision”, but stressed that his action should not be interpreted as a rejection of South Africa or its people.

“To be clear, I am not closing the door on South Africa. I am closing the door on violence,” he said. (IOL)

Keita said the plight of migrants had made the issue deeply personal for him, arguing that those being targeted were often people seeking the same basic opportunities and security as anyone else.

“When I see migrants being attacked, I don’t see ‘politics.’ I see people searching for work, safety, and dignity,” he said.

The singer also invoked South Africa’s history of solidarity with the rest of Africa, saying the current violence did not reflect the country he had known and admired.

“That does not match the South Africa I know, the South Africa that stood firm with Mali, and the South Africa that Nelson Mandela built,” Keita said.

His manager, Carolina Vallejo of One World Records, confirmed the cancellation to AFP on Wednesday. The dates and venues of all the affected performances were not immediately specified. (IOL)

Keita, whose career has stretched for more than five decades, has continued to perform internationally despite reducing the frequency of his tours for medical reasons.

His relationship with South Africa also has a long cultural history.

He has previously performed in the country and recalled his participation in the 1988 Nelson Mandela tribute concert at Wembley Stadium, when opposition to apartheid remained a defining cause across Africa. (Mail & Guardian)

The latest cancellation comes against a particularly tense backdrop.

South Africa has experienced a surge in anti-migrant mobilisation since April, with groups including March and March and Operation Dudula campaigning against undocumented immigration.

Research by the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project recorded 61 anti-migrant demonstrations between April and mid-June alone. (ACLED)

June 30 became a major flashpoint after anti-migrant groups set the date as an unofficial deadline for undocumented foreigners to leave the country.

ACLED recorded nearly 100 demonstrations against illegal migration on that day, bringing the total number of such demonstrations during June to at least 150. (ACLED)

The unrest has had a significant human cost.

More than 160,000 foreign nationals have reportedly left South Africa since late May, according to an AFP tally based on figures supplied by African governments involved in repatriation efforts. Nigeria alone evacuated about 1,490 citizens between June 10 and July 15. (Punch Newspapers)

South African authorities have rejected some allegations surrounding the unrest and have warned about misinformation, while maintaining that the country has a right to enforce its immigration laws and address criminality. (Channels Television)

The crisis has nevertheless strained relations between South Africa and other African countries, particularly Nigeria and Ghana, whose governments have expressed concern over attacks against their nationals. (Channels Television)

Keita’s withdrawal therefore carries significance beyond the entertainment industry.

His decision places one of Africa’s most respected musical voices among public figures responding to the growing concern over the treatment of migrants on the continent.

Yet the veteran singer deliberately left room for reconciliation.

In his statement, Keita said he was not turning his back on South Africa and suggested that he would return when the circumstances were more conducive to peace and dignity.

“If there is a stage in a township, I will sing there. If a community needs to be heard, I will listen. When the time is right, I will return,” he said. (Mail & Guardian)

Also read: Nigeria Begins Urgent Evacuation Amid Xenophobic Violence

For Keita, the message is ultimately one of solidarity rather than separation. His decision to cancel the performances is a powerful protest against violence, while his continued affection for South Africa leaves open the possibility of another performance when the country’s current tensions have eased.