Zimpapers Logo

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
SOUTH African rapper Cassper Nyovest on Thursday donated R100,000 to the victims of xenophobic attacks they suffered in his country as he kept his word that he would donate proceeds of his show in Zimbabwe.In a Tweet a week before his show last week at Hartsfield Rugby Ground in Bulawayo Nyovest said: “Actually I want to donate all my proceeds for my show in Zimbabwe next week to Xenophobia Survivors. I will come perform for free.”

At a ceremony held at the Zimbabwean embassy in Johannesburg with the ambassador of Zimbabwe to South Africa, Isaac Moyo, Nyovest donated the money through his company Family Tree Media.

Nyovest said the money was partly from the proceeds of his Zimbabwe gig and from his own pocket and it will be used to help victims of xenophobia rebuild their lives.

“I’m one of the artistes that have been affected by the ongoing xenophobic attacks. I being a South African and travelling around Africa our image has been tainted because people think we support xenophobia,” said Nyovest.

“We’re starting up sustainable businesses for victims which will not only help them rebuild but also create opportunities for them to help others.”
He challenged other celebrities to take action and help victims of the xenophobic attacks.

“A lot of celebrities are going on social networks and doing interviews about how they‘re against xenophobia but not being active about it. So I thought how could I do some rehabilitation instead of just speaking then I met Conrad at a show and got together and we discussed,” said Nyovest.

He said until one goes to the camps housing the victims of xenophobia they would not know the gravity of the situation on the ground.

“Conrad Mwanza (of Zim Achievers Awards who were also part of the ceremony) invited me to the camps and me living in a very comfortable neighborhood I had never seen the victims or any kind of xenophobia. Him taking me to the camps exposed me to the seriousness of what’s happening in the country on the ground,” said Nyovest.

He said what he saw was unbelievable and the cruelty of one African on another was for him disturbing.

“When I got to the camps I was firstly embarrassed to be a South African in the camp. I wasn’t comfortable. I was just thinking to myself, why my South African brothers would do such to our brothers who used to take care of us during apartheid. I don’t understand why they could do such,” said Nyovest.

He said after the donation he felt that he had done the right thing and contributed to humanity.

“This donation gives me a feeling of purpose in life as I’ve done something for humanity. As I’m travelling around Africa the question I’m asking myself is how can I help someone make a change that sticks for the rest of their lives,” said Nyovest.

He said this should inspire other musicians in the continent to follow suit.

“I hope this will inspire more African musicians to get more involved as this is an African problem. God has blessed me with much and I now can bless others,” said Nyovest.