Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng excited about Chris Brown concert. Picture: FabAcademic/X
Former University of Cape Town Vice Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng has intimated on social media that she spent close to R30,000 on premium tickets for the upcoming Chris Brown concert in Joburg, this December.
Whether she truly did buy six premium VIP tickets at R5,745 each is unknown, but she claimed to have done so in an exchange with a known vocal troll.
Infact, whether she bought six tickets or not truly does not matter, but it was the fierce and furious exchange and trading of insults that followed between Phakeng and two controversial figures that left many people glued on social media on Tuesday night.
The colourful academic and scientist shared happily that she was looking forward to seeing the US performer live, but controversial musician The Kiffness, tried quickly to burst her bubble by questioning why she would spend almost R6,000 on a “known abuser”.
Phakeng believes it is “intellectually dishonest” to suggest that attending Chris Brown's concert equates aligning with his past actions.
“I am totally against GBV and strongly condemn it in all its forms. I believe that those who perpetrate GBV should face the full might of the law without exceptions or leniency.
“But let me be clear, just in case the message didn’t sit well: I am going to attend Chris Brown’s concert if he comes. These two things are not mutually exclusive! To suggest that enjoying a concert automatically aligns you with every past action of the artist is, at best, simplistic, and at worst, intellectually dishonest,” she said.
There have of course been calls, from the likes of Women For Change, who have petitioned for Chris Brown's performance to be cancelled, his music muted and his visa revoked due to his violent history with his former lovers such as Rihanna and Karrueche Tran, to name a few.
The calls are unlikely to stop the concert which was sold out in two hours despite tickets costing around R545 to about R5,700 for the most pricey.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has been urged to revoke Chris Brown's visa due to his violent past, but this move is highly unlikely to find any favour with government.
Infact, Big Concerts was forced to add a second day due to the demand.
Back to the twar, Phakeng was unbothered by the Kiffness’ interjection, who poked at her: “At least you're comfortable in showing that GBV is only bad if your not famous & can't sing or dance well.
“Everyone's activism has their limits. I guess this is yours.”
Phakeng replied: “Your opinion is not my reality. But this is a safe space, vent it all out”.
When The Kiffness, whose given name is David Scott, persisted with the poking, Phakeng told him to “Go focus on packing for your grand European tour of 7 loyal fans, and leave 90K+ of us South Africans to fill up FNB Stadium in peace”.
It didn't take long before fired DA MP Renaldo Gouws - who lost his job under a racism cloud - entered the fray.
“A former VC of UCT who caused complete havoc, so much so that they paid her R12m to just leave so that she couldn't cause more destruction.
“Somehow, she is trying to flex on someone who has over 3 million followers with over 1 BILLION views.
“Only in South Africa..,” he tweeted.
Never shy to hit back, Phakeng fired back at Gouws.
“A former MP of the National Assembly who was found to be so blatantly racist, so much so that his party booted him without any payment whatsoever, and removed him from Parliament before he could even make his maiden speech - just so that he couldn’t make laws for the people he actually despises.💙
“Somehow, he lacks relevance and now feels emboldened to wade into a conversation that has absolutely nothing to do with him.
“Indeed, only in South Africa, our land,” the professor fired back.
The two traded blows digitally, insulting each other on their headline grabbing job sackings, with Phakeng making fun of Gouws for getting no compensation for losing his job.
“And yes, I’m impossible to work with anything that screams MEDIOCRITY, UNPRINCIPLED, or RACIST.
“If you fall under any of those 3 categories, I would definitely sign your letter of dismissal with my eyes closed,” she quipped.
Meanwhile, Phakeng explained earlier in the week that attending the concert did not mean she was a hypocrite for her stance on gender-based violence.
“Music is bigger than the individual; it connects us and heals us in different ways. Some of us are capable of loving art while still holding artists accountable. Attending the concert does not magically erase our moral stance on GBV.
“It does not make us hypocrites, nor does it make us blind to the gravity of Chris Brown’s past actions. “In this case, I don’t even have the full details of his past actions…I simply love his music!
“If you hold a different view, then big ups to you, but please do not impose your narrow beliefs on me, or anyone for that matter,” she said.
Phakeng said energy should be directed to genuine and meaningful activism against GBV in our country.
“This cancel culture nonsense is so 2020. It’s 2024, you can’t be that entitled. If you think insults are going to make me change my mind, I’m sorry to disappoint you….
“I’m going to the concert, and I need no one’s permission or support in this regard.
“But also….if you think attending will silence my voice against GBV, then I’m sorry to disappoint you again because I will continue to speak out against GBV and educate our young men on how to be decent, loving human being,” she said.
IOL