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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
DURBAN based kwaito group Big Nuz have cancelled their Bulawayo show because of the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Big Nuz was billed to perform at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre today. They seemed to have buckled under pressure from some Zimbabweans to cancel their show.

After the xenophobic violence began in KwaZulu Natal last week, some Zimbabwean artistes called for the boycott of South African musicians’ shows here as a protest over the xenophobic attacks with many saying there is no reason for merrymaking when some Zimbabweans based in South Africa are being killed.

South African media yesterday reported that the Umlilo hit makers said they feared being attacked in Zimbabwe because they were from KwaZulu-Natal where most of the xenophobic violence began and is being perpetrated.

Big Nuz member Danger told Daily Sun: “We’re hesitant to go because of the violence against foreigners. We’re speaking to event organisers to either postpone or cancel the event for now.”

The group’s fears could be because they vividly remember a show they held five years ago, in Bulawayo at the Large City Hall that was marred by violence when they were pelted by beer cans and bottles by fans in the middle of their performance.

Afro-tainment, the label that Big Nuz is under, confirmed through their communications manager Victor Blokolo that they had cancelled the show.

“Due to the unfortunate events here we’ve decided that it’s not in our best interest to travel to Zimbabwe. We saw it fit that it’s better for us to raise awareness and condemn the violence in South Africa first until the situation changes,” he said.

He added the group would sit down with the show promoters Zero One One and set a date for the next show.

“The show promoters understood our reason to cancel the show and they agreed that we postpone the show. Now we just want to set a date for the next show, but for now we’re concentrating on denouncing the xenophobic violence in our country” he said.

The group had reportedly been paid in full by show organisers. Big Nuz and other celebrities will be taking part in a march against the attacks on foreigners organised by the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government.

Meanwhile, Cassper Nyovest has said he would donate the proceeds of his show, scheduled for next week in Bulawayo, to those who have been affected by xenophobia.

“Actually I want to donate all my proceedings for my show in Zimbabwe next week to xenophobia survivors. I will come perform for free,” Cassper tweeted.

He went on to tweet in Shona a message of condolence and encouragement saying God was in control of the situation and Zimbabweans should know that Africans are one.

“Vhanu vekuZimbabwe musacheme, Mwari vachapindira panezwvese zvirikuitika muno, Mwari vachapindira kuswvika zwvanaka tirivhanu vamwe seAfrica,” Cassper tweeted.

He meant to say, “Vanhu vekuZimbabwe musacheme. Mwari vachapindira pane zvese zviri kuitika muno. Mwari vachapindira kusvika zvanaka tiri vanhu vamwe seAfrica (Zimbabweans don’t cry. God will intervene to stop the disturbances happening here. We are all Africans).