Malawi Govt denies South African dancer Zodwa Wabantu entry into the country, says she “built her career and fame around morally degrading stage acts”

The Malawi government has ordered security agencies to stop controversial South African dancer, Zodwa Wabantu, from entering Malawi.

The dancer who is billed to perform at the amapiano festival in Blantyre, Malawi, set to take place on June 10 and 11, has been banned from entering the country.

The Malawi Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Wildlife had previously barred the stage artist from performing at the show; however, in response to the ban, Zodwa stated that she would travel to Malawi to participate in the event but would not perform.

In light of this, the ministry took a further step in making sure that Zodwa is stopped from entering Malawi by informing the Ministry of Homeland Security to enforce the relevant immigration laws. 

In a letter dated June 6 and addressed to the Secretary for Homeland Security from the Secretary for Tourism, Culture and Wildlife, the Ministry made it clear that it has not cleared Zodwa Wabantu to perform in Malawi or be part of an event in any other capacity and that the application for the entertainment permit has been turned down as guided by the provisions of the Censorship and Control of Entertainment Act.

The letter read,

“The Censorship Board reviewed the application in the context of the concerns regarding her controversial stage acts, and most important Zodwa as a stage artist. In processing the application, the Censorship Board had to review the picture and the video clips that are in circulation depicting Zodwa on stage and the Ministry has noted that Zodwa has built her career and fame around morally degrading stage acts which include flaunting her nudity to audience.

“In view of the above, we are requesting your Ministry to enforce the relevant immigration laws so that the artist is prohibited from entering Malawi at the time the event is being hosted.”