The Kiffness has accused the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) of trying to “cancel” his upcoming Kirstenbosch concert.
This comes after the Cape Town musician has been accused of spreading racism and Islamophobia through his X posts.
THE KIFFNESS ACCUSES DIRCO OF TRYING TO ‘CANCEL’ HIS CONCERT
On his X account, The Kiffness responded to AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel, who accused a handful of journalists of being paid to tarnish their reputation.
The Afrikaans movement organisation tweeted: “A well-known former journalist informed AfriForum that two prominent South African journalists are currently being paid by the State Security Agency and the Department of International Relations to try to discredit @afriforum and the Solidarity Movement.”
AfriForum stated that it has formally submitted requests to both government institutions to reveal the identity of those on the payroll.
The Kiffness responded to the tweet, adding: “A reliable source has told me that DIRCO was involved in trying to get my Kirstenbosch show cancelled. Not sure who or in what capacity. But I suspect they coordinate with media & activist groups to paint me out as someone I’m not”.
Neither DIRCO minister Ronald Lamola nor the department itself has publicly commented on The Kiffness.
The Cape Town muso has come under fire over his X posts about race laws, Apartheid, Muslim people, and Gift of the Givers CEO Imtiaz Sooliman.
He has faced calls from the public to cancel his Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert on 28 December.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) – which governs Kirstenbosch- has acknowledged the backlash, but has yet to respond.
‘MOST TALKED ABOUT SHOW’
On his X account, The Kiffness thanked his critics for bringing attention to his upcoming concert.
He tweeted: “My Kirstenbosch show on 28 December is by far my most talked about show ever! I appreciate all the interest.”
Of the backlash, he added in another tweet: “You helped me sell more tickets and gave me more free PR than I could ever pay for.
“Please keep going!”
