Outspoken and controversial South African music executive Nota Baloyi has landed in hot water once again. This time, his calls for Mzansi musicians to entirely boycott live performances in Zimbabwe have ignited a fierce online storm, with fans and industry stakeholders calling him out for pushing a distorted version of history.
During an explosive interview with Music Pulse, the vocal commentator questioned why South African artists continue to accept lucrative bookings across the border. Nota claimed that Zimbabwe had actively distanced itself and “boycotted” South Africa during the apartheid era, arguing that local entertainers should now return the favor.
He didn’t stop there. Nota expanded his critique across the continent, taking aim at Nigeria’s live performance market. He claimed that South African musicians gain very little from performing there due to economic constraints, alleging that Nigerian artists only travel to South Africa because local audiences possess far greater spending power.
“We have a strong industry that can stand on its own two feet,” Nota insisted, urging local talent to stop taking cross-border bookings.
Mzansi X Users Drop Historical Facts
The commentary quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), where netizens wasted no time dismantling Nota’s historical claims. Multiple users pointed out that Zimbabwe actively supported South Africa’s liberation struggle.
- @discover_simpea wrote: “Zimbabwe’s ZIPRA and SA’s Umkhonto we Sizwe trained and fought side by side… A brotherly bond.”
- @CleverSimba added: “We helped you during apartheid. Please read a little and then you can argue.”
Others took a more personal dig at the music executive, suggesting his bitterness towards Zimbabwe stems from his highly publicized divorce from Zimbabwean-born singer Berita.
“Artists Need to Eat”: The Financial Reality
Beyond the historical inaccuracies, music fans and promoters pointed out that a boycott would only end up hurting South African artists financially. Zimbabwe remains an incredibly lucrative hub for live entertainment, frequently hosting sold-out shows for SA’s biggest Amapiano and Hip-Hop stars.
- @weTINASHEndisu noted: “South African artists perform in Zimbabwe because a show here pays better.”
- @tungamirajack chimed in: “Artists make a living from performing at these gigs.”
With the internet firmly rejecting his call to action, the consensus remains clear: music should serve as a bridge to unite African nations rather than a tool to deepen regional divisions.
