GOOD Statement by Kaden Arguile ,
GOOD National Youth Chairperson
18 November 2024
The GOOD Party is disappointed that Big Concerts and the Minister of Home Affairs have been unwilling to discuss our concerns regarding the upcoming Chris Brown concert.
In less than a month, a convicted perpetrator of gender-based violence will be afforded a celebrity platform in South Africa.
On the 22nd of October, the GOOD Party Secretary-General Brett Herron emailed the Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber, via the official departmental email address and included Schreiber’s senior assistant in the mail.
Herron urged the Minister to declare United States R&B artist Chris Brown an undesirable person in terms of Section 30 of the Immigration Act.
Having noted media reports by the Minister saying “I have not received anything on that front officially, but I suppose what I can say is what I’ve been saying from day one in the department… that we will be guided by the law when we take decisions in Home Affairs… “ (Daily Maverick 31 Oct), Herron once again followed up on the 12th of November.
This email was sent to the Minister’s direct email address and once again included his senior assistant.
GOOD is yet to receive a response or even an acknowledgement of the email.
On the 7th of November, GOOD reached out to Big Concerts via their communications team, TPW, requesting a meeting with Big Concerts, NGO Women for Change and ourselves.
After no response was received the Managing Director of TPW was contacted telephonically and confirmed the request was received and sent to Big Concerts.
And still we wait.
Whatever the decision is by these two entities, it is important to engage in constructive dialogue.
As a country, we have a responsibility to prove we are taking Gender-based violence seriously.
The current silence is deafening.
The victims of GBVF deserve better and as GOOD we will continue to try and engage on this issue.
We need to stand in a collective voice and say ‘No to abuse’.
Media enquiries:media@forgood.org.za