Cape Town Artists Unite Against Hate on Refugee Day

On Saturday afternoon, a Cape Town church rang with music, poetry, and chants of "Phantsi, Afrophobia!"—meaning "Down with Afrophobia." Artists from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Eswatini, and Cameroon gathered to celebrate refugees and reject hatred.

The free concert at Central Methodist Mission Church marked UN World Refugee Day. It came at a critical moment, as thousands of displaced immigrants have been camping outside a Durban hall, with hundreds returning to Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Malawi in recent weeks.

Organizer Asher Gamedze set the tone clearly. "Today we say no to those in this country who are violently trying to force our fellow Africans into fear and hiding," he told the crowd.

Zambian musician Stanley Sibande spoke from the heart about his own family. "I stand in front of you as a very concerned Zambian, who is a father to a South African child, who, in the eyes of a lot of people, is not South African and doesn't have the right to exist in this country," he said, reminding everyone that Zambia played an important role in the anti-apartheid struggle.

Thabang Bhili delivered a statement from Zabalaza for Socialism, cutting through common scapegoating. "Those who blame migrants are lying to the people. They did not create unemployment; they did not create the collapse of public services," Bhili declared.

The solidarity didn't stop at the church. That morning, dozens walked through Sea Point dressed in black, carrying a banner reading "refugees are human too."

Irene Knight from Mothers4Gaza explained their mission simply. "We are all human. We all deserve to live in peace, with dignity, equality, economic stability, and security."

The Ripple Effect

The events showed how choosing solidarity creates expanding circles of hope. Megan Chortiz from Mothers4Gaza connected the dots between different struggles, noting that Zimbabweans fought hard for South Africa's freedom during apartheid.

These artists and activists proved that raising your voice against hatred creates space for others to stand up too. From the church concert to the morning walk, Cape Town residents chose to see refugees as neighbors, not threats.

In a time of division, they chose music, poetry, and peaceful protest to reclaim humanity for everyone.