Chris Brown’s forthcoming concert in South Africa has led to renewed focus on the country’s shocking levels of violence against women, with campaigners saying it sends the wrong message given his history of abuse. In less than two hours, the Grammy-winner managed to sell out tickets to the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg – the largest stadium in Africa with over 94,000 seats. Demand was so high that a second December date was added.
Despite the massive interest, the R ‘n’ B star has experienced a backlash from people who did not want him to perform due to his violent past. “When I saw the news that Chris Brown was coming to South Africa, I was shocked and deeply disappointed,” said Sabina Walter, executive director of Women for Change, an organisation that advocates for the rights of women and children in South Africa.
The group has started a petition to stop the US artist from performing. It currently has over 20,000 signatures. “The petition was started to send a strong message that we will not tolerate the celebration of individuals with a history of violence against women,” said Ms Walter, especially in a country like South Africa.
South Africa has one of the highest rates of femicide and gender-based violence in the world. A rape is reported in the country roughly every 12 minutes and it is assumed that many more go unrecorded.
“When someone like Chris Brown is given a platform in a country where GBV is at crisis levels, it sends a damaging message – that fame and power outweigh accountability,” said Ms Walters.
The most well-known instance in Chris Brown’s history of abuse is the domestic dispute with singer Rihanna in 2009.probation, community service and domestic violence counselling. Chris Brown, who was 19 at the time, pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to five years
Although Rihanna forgave him and the pair briefly dated again after the incident, Chris Brown has also been accused of violence by other women – and men.
Women for Change says it wants to know how the Department of Home Affairs could grant “a convicted abuser” a visa. For Ms Walter, the decision is “concerning and indicative of a systemic failure”.
According to South African law, having a previous conviction can result in a visa being denied. But there can be an exception for “good cause” and those are cleared by the Director General of the Department of Home Affairs.
Chris Brown has previously been banned from entering other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, although he has subsequently gone on to play in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
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A Divisive Performance
Chris Brown’s multi-city tour across South Africa drew huge crowds, with fans eager to see the Grammy Award-winning artist perform his biggest hits. However, for many, his history of domestic violence cast a long shadow over the event. Some activists and women’s rights organizations organized protests and social media campaigns, questioning why someone with a history of violence against women was being celebrated in a country grappling with its own epidemic of gender-based violence.
“Allowing Chris Brown to perform sends the wrong message,” said Lerato Dlamini, a prominent GBV activist. “In a country where women face violence daily, we can’t celebrate someone who has been convicted of it.”
South Africa continues to face one of the highest rates of violence against women in the world, with reports of abuse, rape, and femicide making headlines regularly. The #AmINext movement, which gained momentum in 2019 following high-profile cases of gender-based violence, underscored the fear and frustration many women feel as they demand urgent action from the government and society at large.
Mixed Reactions from Fans and Activists
While some South Africans expressed concern over Brown’s concert, others defended their decision to attend, arguing that his past mistakes shouldn’t overshadow his music or define his entire career.
“I don’t condone what he did, but people can change,” said one fan who attended his Johannesburg concert. “I love his music, and that’s why I’m here. We all make mistakes, and he’s paid the price for his.”
This divided opinion reflects a broader conversation around redemption and accountability. Some believe Brown has taken steps to rehabilitate his image, while others argue that supporting his career diminishes the seriousness of domestic violence.
GBV Crisis in South Africa
South Africa’s struggle with gender-based violence has become a national crisis. According to official statistics, a woman is murdered every three hours in the country, and cases of domestic abuse are often underreported due to social stigma and fear of retaliation. Despite efforts by the government, including campaigns to raise awareness and stricter laws on domestic violence, many feel not enough is being done to protect women and hold perpetrators accountable.
Chris Brown’s presence in the country has reignited these concerns, with some activists urging the public to focus on the underlying issues that contribute to GBV. “We are not just protesting Chris Brown,” explained Dlamini. “We are protesting the normalization of violence, the silence around abuse, and the failure to address this crisis head-on.”
Using the Moment to Raise Awareness
Amid the controversy, some groups have seized the opportunity to raise awareness about South Africa’s GBV problem. Women’s rights organizations have used the buzz around the concert to launch social media campaigns, highlighting the stories of survivors and calling for greater government action.
“It’s important that we keep the conversation going,” said Zanele Maseko, a spokesperson for the Women’s Legal Centre. “If this concert makes people uncomfortable, that discomfort should lead to reflection about the broader issues we face in this country.”
Maseko added that while the focus is on Chris Brown for now, the real work is in challenging the culture of violence that affects so many women in South Africa. “We need to make sure that we’re holding all abusers accountable, whether they’re celebrities or not.”
A Divided Spotlight
As Chris Brown’s South African tour comes to a close, it leaves behind more than just musical memories. It has reignited debates around celebrity accountability, gender-based violence, and how a nation responds to the ongoing crisis of abuse against women.
For many, the concert was a reminder of the difficult conversations that still need to happen. While some fans were thrilled to see Brown on stage, others hope this moment can push the country toward meaningful change—one that goes beyond headlines and concerts to ensure that women in South Africa are truly safe from violence.
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