UNPOPULAR opinion: Chris Brown’s supporters, enablers, are GBV apologists

Whether you’ve been vocal or silent about your support of Chris Brown and his controversial South African concerts, there is no denying – in my unapologetic opinion – that you’re a gender-based violence (GBV) apologist.

What does this mean?

Simply put, either you lack a moral compass, or you’re indifferent to the valid fears, dangers, and concerns of women in South Africa, the GBV capital of the world.

And coming JUST DAYS after the 16 of Activism campaign ended, this applies largely to government, stakeholders, and *certain*  ministers too.

CHRIS BROWN CONCERT: SOUTH AFRICANS, YOUR SILENCE IS DEAFENING!

Describing Chris Brown fans – or those who have granted his entry into SA (*ahem*, Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber), as GBV apologists may sound harsh.

But it’s really not. 

Sure, many have bought tickets to his concerts just for vibes and to witness his mesmerising dance moves. Some claim they have the ability to “separate the artist from their art.” Or maybe they’re one of those who believed that Chris Brown is still paying for his assault on an ex-girlfriend almost two decades later.

It really goes deeper than that. And unless you start seeing your favs as real and flawed beings, you’ll continue to excuse and accept their behaviour.

Chris Brown – a known and convicted abuser (and no, not just towards Rihanna, Google it and the 2024 documentary A History of Violence) – may be talented, hard-working, and charming. But he’s also arrogant, manipulative, and frankly unremorseful.

He’s taunted the women who stand for women and against GBV, and he has proudly supported a man dubbed “South Africa’s Andrew Tate.”

A petition by NGO Women For Change has been ignored and largely trashed by many South Africans with a warped agenda. For anyone who has spoken up – including myself – we’ve been trolled, cursed out, and accused of being scorned feminists who hate men.

After WEEKS of pursuing them, Big Concerts REFUSING to comment to media – and instead, liking Instagram comments criticising the public backlash –  is nothing short of gaslighting. Likewise, Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber’s silence and his inability to declare Chris Brown an “undesirable person” have been deafening.

As for Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie’s ability to find joy and “happiness” by handing out concert tickets like SA’s Santa Claus, is disturbing, to say the least.

LIKE CHRIS BROWN, MINISTER GAYTON MCKENZIE HAS DAUGHTERS TOO

Amid the public outcry, Minister Gayton McKenzie nicknamed himself the “Minister of Happiness” and handed out hundreds of Chris Brown tickets he claimed were paid from his own pocket.

Surprisingly, like Chris Brown, Gayton also has young, impressionable daughters, who no doubt watch his actions and read the negative headlines.

Interestingly, in 2015 – before formally venturing into politics – Gayton published a book called The Uncomfortable Truth. Speaking on Morning Live, Gayton claimed that the book – dedicated to his three daughters – was about his regrettable experiences with women.

He added that the book was filled with advice and warnings to women to “recognise” men like his “previous” self.

He said, “I want to leave them much more than money. I want them to be different. I don’t want them to be played like I played women.”

Why would Gayton warn his daughters about such men….just to publicly support another?

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM FOR WHAT?

The annual campaign is a sacred time in South Africa where we remember the memories of GBV victims like Reeva Steenkamp, Uyinene Mrwetyana, Anene Booysen, Karabo Mokoena, Leighandre “Baby Lee” Jegels, and many, many more women who’ve died at the hands of their abusers.

It’s also a time to reflect, create awareness, educate ourselves, and pledge to do better as a country during the pandemic, which is GBV.

But with Chris Brown’s concert occuring just DAYS later, and his undeniable support coming from South Africans – many of whom are women – what exactly was the point of honouring the campaign this year?

WE’VE SPOKEN UP ABOUT LOCAL ARTISTS TOO

To those who believe we have only pursued holding Chris Brown accountable for his actions – and not SA men – this is simply not true.

We’ve spoken out about local artists like Jub Jub, Arthur Mafokate, DJ Euphonik, DJ Fresh, Somzi Mhlongo, Sjava, Black Coffee, the late Mampintsa and AKA, and many, many more who have been accused of GBV at the hands of their own partners.

Sadly, many of these artists’s fans have harshly condemned and even victim-blamed the women and men (girlfriends, wives, and husbands) who made these accusations. Their experiences have been questioned and written off by those, who truly know nothing of what happens behind closed doors.

For media who’ve given the reported victims a voice, they’ve been called out by the public, particularly nasty X trolls. We’ve also been accused of trying to create “sensationalism”.

Meanwhile, these artists have continued to thrive financially despite being accused of violence and even sexual assault.

Those that support them, and write off their alleged bad behaviour, are indeed the ultimate GBV apologists.

And truth be told, if you excuse or even applaud Chris Brown for his current actions as a grown man, you are one, too.

DO YOU HAVE ANY STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT THE CHRIS BROWN CONCERTS?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.