The cultural boycott of Swaziland has intensified with news today (8 May 2011) that musician L’Vovo Derrango has pulled out of a performance next Saturday.
L’Vovo was booked to perform at the Swazi Premier Soccer League closing.
His manager Thobela Dlamini told the Sunday World, a South African newspaper, they decided to back off after they were asked by the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) to join other artists in solidarity with the ‘suffering people of Swaziland’.
Dlamini said, ‘We are loyal to our country and government. It’s not always about money. It’s about self-respect and pride.’
Dlamini says they will return the money they have been paid as part of the pre-booking process.
The news comes (coincidentally) at the same time that the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) asked for a total boycott of sporting and cultural ties with the kingdom, ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa’s last absolute monarch.
The boycott is aimed at the Swazi king, his family and friends.
SSN said in a statement, ‘Concerned human beings must bar Swaziland from cultural and sporting activities. This is a stand that the world took against Apartheid South Africa and it helped to put pressure on the ruling regime.’
The Swaziland Democracy Campaign has also called for a boycott of the Bush Fire Festival, a major cultural event in Swaziland, that is due to take place on 27 – 29 May 2011.
Last month, a concert featuring Jadakiss organised for Prince Lindani, the eldest son of King Mswati, flopped after ANCYL called for a boycott.
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