Former UCT VC Prof Phakeng Defends Herself Against Chris Brown Concert Backlash “I’m Sorry To Disappoint You”
So, former UCT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng, is making headlines (again) for announcing she’ll attend Chris Brown’s concert in December at FNB Stadium.
Chris Brown tickets secured. Hall of fame seats here we come! 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽 pic.twitter.com/tsrTka9Efa
— Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) (@FabAcademic) October 1, 2024
As you can imagine, the backlash has been nothing short of fierce! You see, many people are raising their brows, accusing her of hypocrisy because, let’s face it, Chris isn’t exactly a saint when it comes to his past with domestic violence.
Phakeng’s Old History, Tweets, and Outrage
Old tweets of Phakeng condemning gender-based violence (GBV) resurfaced faster than you can say “cancel culture,” making critics raise their eyebrows. While she’s all for speaking up against GBV, her rationale for attending the concert has many people in agitation.
Now, Prof Phakeng is not taking it lying down. In a lengthy Twitter thread, she laid down the facts! “Attending the concert does not erase my strong stance against GBV,” she clarified, and honestly, that’s a pretty fair point.
The drama! But here’s where it gets juicy: she believes that loving music and calling out bad behaviour can totally coexist.
Let’s Rethink Cancel Culture
And she’s spot on about that cancel culture something something. Instead of directing all that anger towards her attendance, why not channel it into something that actually makes a difference? She went on to say, “If you think boycotting this concert will end GBV, you’re delulu.”
But also….if you think attending will silence my voice against GBV, then I’m sorry to disappoint you again because I will continue to speak out against GBV and educate our young men on how to be decent, loving human beings.
I am done addressing this matter. See you on the 14th…
— Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) (@FabAcademic) October 7, 2024
Music is bigger than the individual; it connects us and heals us in different ways. Some of us are capable of loving art while still holding artists accountable. Attending the concert does not magically erase our moral stance on GBV. It does not make us hypocrites, nor does it…
— Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) (@FabAcademic) October 7, 2024
Okay, it was fun while it lasted. The concert matter ends here…..I’m sorry to anyone who is hurt by my jabs / plans to attend the concert🙏🏾 I’ll be attending the concert on the 14th of Dezemba, and okwangoku, all I’m looking for are outfit ideas, nothing else. I will no longer…
— Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) (@FabAcademic) October 8, 2024
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You’ve missed the point – completely but let me indulge you.
No one is comparing GBV with abortion, read again. We are comparing buying concert tickets and having an abortion – two independent choices made by two different people:
Person A feels her abortion choice is right,… https://t.co/lHOZACr8aY
— Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) (@FabAcademic) October 8, 2024
If only shouting at our screens could solve the real issues, right? So, while tickets to the concert are flying off the shelves like hotcakes, the real challenge is creating constructive dialogue around GBV.
Let’s face it—shouting into the void on social media probably won’t bring about the change we need, so why not educate instead?
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