The announcement of Chris Brown’s upcoming concerts in South Africa has ignited a firestorm of backlash, with Women For Change (WFC) leading a powerful campaign to block the events.
Scheduled for December 14 and 15, 2024, in Johannesburg, these performances have drawn criticism for their proximity to the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), an annual campaign aimed at combating violence against women and children.
In a statement issued on October 1, 2024, WFC condemned the concerts as “a direct insult to the millions of women and girls impacted by violence in South Africa and across the globe.” The organisation has since launched a Change.org petition, which, as of November 25, 2024, has amassed over 51,000 signatures, signaling widespread support for their cause.
South Africa’s struggle with gender-based violence is well-documented and deeply entrenched. The country grapples with some of the highest rates of GBV and femicide globally, with femicide rates five times higher than the global average. Latest crime statistics paint a harrowing picture; 19,961 rapes were reported in just the first half of 2024.
Over 5,500 femicides were recorded in the 2023/24 period—an average of 15 women murdered daily. Cases of sexual offences and assault against women number in the tens of thousands annually.
Despite numerous campaigns and public outcries, these numbers continue to rise, reflecting systemic failures and the normalisation of violence. WFC’s campaign against Chris Brown’s concerts is not merely about one artist but a broader fight against societal attitudes that enable abuse.
Chris Brown’s history of violence against women, including his highly publicized assault on pop star Rihanna in 2009, has made him a polarizing figure. For WFC, allowing someone with a documented history of abuse to perform in a country plagued by GBV sends a damaging message.
“By enabling public figures with histories of abuse to take the stage, we are glorifying violence and undermining the fight against gender-based violence,” WFC said in their statement.
This sentiment is echoed by South Africans across social media, where debates about accountability, celebrity culture, and gender justice have taken center stage. The petition against the concerts emphasizes that public figures must be held accountable for their actions to challenge the normalization of abuse effectively.
Recent findings from South Africa’s first national gender-based violence prevalence study, released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on November 18, 2024, revealed troubling societal attitudes:
Nearly 10% of men surveyed believed women are often to blame for being raped.
11.9% of men agreed that if a woman does not physically fight back, it cannot be considered rape.
These statistics highlight a culture that shifts blame onto victims and idolizes perpetrators, perpetuating the cycle of violence.
Through its advocacy, WFC aims to disrupt this cycle. Established in 2016, the non-profit has become a vocal force in South Africa’s fight against GBV, leveraging its extensive social media reach to educate the public, amplify survivor voices, and influence policy.
“Our work is about creating a society where survivors are empowered, abusers are held accountable, and justice is prioritized,” WFC stated.
The campaign against Chris Brown’s concerts is a continuation of WFC’s mission to challenge societal norms and demand accountability from those in power.
Chris Brown’s concerts have become a flashpoint in South Africa’s broader battle against GBV. For WFC and its supporters, blocking the concerts is about more than one artist—it’s about sending a message that South Africa will not tolerate the glorification of individuals with histories of violence.
As the December concert dates approach, the question remains: will South Africa use this moment to stand in solidarity with survivors and take a stand against GBV, or will the allure of celebrity triumph over justice and accountability?
WFC’s petition is still live on Change.org, urging South Africans to join the movement and demand that Chris Brown’s performances be canceled. For those who wish to add their voice, the fight for justice is just a signature away.
