Women For Change is deeply concerned about the upcoming Chris Brown concert scheduled for 14 December 2024 in Johannesburg. This concert comes just days after the world commemorated the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Chris Brown’s history of violence against women, including his 2009 arrest for assaulting Rihanna, stands in stark contrast to the values of this global Anti-GBV campaign, especially in a country where femicide is five times higher than the worldwide average. Hosting Chris Brown sends a harmful message to survivors of abuse and undermines the progress we are trying to make in addressing GBV in South Africa.

Throughout the years, Chris Brown has had a series of legal entanglements, including the singer’s guilty plea for assaulting and beating his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, for which he was sentenced to five years probation and community service and forced to undergo domestic violence counselling. In the years following, he pleaded guilty to a separate assault and was sued by a woman alleging sexual assault, along with a variety of other legal issues.

On 27 October 2024, “Chris Brown: A History of Violence” will launch on Investigation Discovery’s third annual “No Excuse for Abuse” campaign.

We demand to know how Home Affairs could grant a visa to a convicted abuser to perform in South Africa. This decision is concerning and indicative of a systemic failure to protect the very individuals who need our support the most. We must hold individuals accountable for their actions and work to build a culture that uplifts and supports survivors rather than glorifying those who have caused harm.

We strongly urge concert organisers and decision-makers to reconsider hosting Chris Brown and call on the public to support our advocacy for a safer, more respectful society for all women and girls.

Sign our Petition: Stop Chris Brown from Performing in South Africa: No Stage for Abusers