Tyla
South African singer, Tyla, has called for a united Africa following criticism over her silence on xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.
The Grammy-winning artiste came under heavy criticism from some Nigerians after she was accused of failing to use her platform to speak against attacks on foreigners in South Africa.
The backlash intensified ahead of her planned performance in Lagos, with some Nigerians, including celebrities, campaigning against the show and calling on her to address the issue.
Tyla subsequently cancelled her scheduled Lagos show.
However, the singer has now spoken about African unity while accepting an award at the South African Music Awards over the weekend.
In a video circulating on social media, Tyla expressed pride in her South African and African identity and prayed for greater unity across the continent.
“And I am just so happy to be South African. I’m happy to be African most of all. I pray one day to see a unified Africa. It’s so important,” she said.
Her comments come after weeks of public debate surrounding her position on xenophobia and the relationship between South Africans and other Africans.
Tyla’s call for a unified Africa has since generated reactions online, with many discussing whether her statement marks a response to the criticism she faced.