South African award-winning duo Mafikizolo has reportedly been removed from the line-up of the upcoming Buddie Beatz Concert in Zimbabwe. This follows widespread calls from Zimbabweans for their performance to be cancelled amid ongoing tensions surrounding xenophobia in South Africa.
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Mafikizolo not wanted in Zimbabwe
ZimLive reported that the duo, consisting of Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza, had been scheduled to perform in Victoria Falls on 5 July 2026 as part of the annual Econet Victoria Falls Marathon festivities. However, their inclusion sparked a fierce backlash online, with many Zimbabweans arguing that it was inappropriate to host South African artists while concerns over the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa remain high.
Social media backlash intensified
Following the announcement of Mafikizolo’s performance, hundreds of Zimbabweans took to social media platforms to demand that concert organisers remove the duo from the line-up.
Some social media users argued that Zimbabwean companies should prioritise local artists, while others said the timing of the booking was insensitive given the ongoing anti-immigrant sentiment and protests in parts of South Africa.
Zimbabwean musician Bruce Ncube was among those who publicly criticised the booking, describing it as “bad timing” and questioning whether Zimbabweans should celebrate alongside South African acts while many Zimbabweans across the border were experiencing uncertainty and fear.
Should Mafikizolo perfom in Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/ZVzm6uUXTL
— Zim-Celebs (@zimcelebs1) June 29, 2026
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Updated promotional material excludes Mafikizolo
On Monday, organisers appeared to confirm the change after updated promotional material for the Buddie Beatz Concert was shared on social media without Mafikizolo’s name or image. While neither concert organisers nor Econet Wireless Zimbabwe issued a formal statement explaining the decision, many observers interpreted the updated poster as confirmation that the duo had been removed from the event.
The concert is expected to proceed with a predominantly local line-up, including Zimbabwean artists such as Winky D and Killer T.
No official comment yet
At the time of publication, neither Mafikizolo nor Econet Zimbabwe had publicly commented on the reported removal or addressed the online backlash directly. It also remains unclear whether the decision was made solely in response to public pressure or whether other factors contributed to the change.
The controversy has once again highlighted the complex relationship between entertainment, politics, and public sentiment in southern Africa. Many argue that artists should not be held responsible for broader political tensions, while others insist that timing and public perception cannot be ignored.
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