No amount of online criticism will stop Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng from attending one of South Africa’s biggest music concerts this December.
The former vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town has come under much public scrutiny in recent days, this follows a tweet on X (formerly Twitter) in which she revealed that she has managed to secure herself Hall of Fame tickets to attend the Chris Brown concert which takes place at the FNB stadium on the 14th December.
Chris Brown tickets secured. Hall of fame seats here we come! ?????? pic.twitter.com/tsrTka9Efa
— Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) (@FabAcademic) October 1, 2024
With the American artist previously finding himself at the wrong end of the law due to his infamous 2009 domestic violence case for his assault on then-girlfriend, Rihanna, organisations such as Women for Change and many others have logged a petition to keep him from entering the country since many felt that mzansi can’t be supporting abusers.
Similarly, many questioned Prof. Mamokgethi’s stance on gender-based violence since she gladly boasted about her tickets.
Recently, she shared a post which hit back at Twitter trolls and clarified her stance concerning the matter.
In a post on X, she wrote:
“I am totally against GBV and condemn it. I believe that those who perpetrate GBV should face the full might of the law without exceptions or leniency.”
“But let me be clear, just in case the message didn’t sit well: I am going to attend Brown’s concert if he comes. These two are mutually exclusive. To suggest that enjoying a concert aligns with every past action of the artist is, at best, simplistic and, at worst intellectually dishonest.”
She stated that one should be allowed to enjoy the art of an artists music while holding the artist accountable to their actions – as for her, she simply enjoys his music.
“If you hold a different view, then big ups to you, but please do not impose your narrow beliefs on me or anyone else for that matter,” she concluded.
Okay, it was fun while it lasted. The concert matter ends here…..I’m sorry to anyone who is hurt by my jabs / plans to attend the concert?? I’ll be attending the concert on the 14th of Dezemba, and okwangoku, all I’m looking for are outfit ideas, nothing else. I will no longer…
— Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) (@FabAcademic) October 8, 2024
Meanwhile, following the opening of sales, Chris Brown has managed to sell out the entire stadium within two hours. Due to popular demand, he has availed himself to perform for two nights.
Also see: Chris Brown concert petition hits 10K signatures
