South African legendary musician Simphiwe Dana has announced plans to permanently leave her home country, igniting a fierce debate on social media about citizenship, privilege, and the country’s ongoing challenges. The “Ndiredi” hitmaker’s revelation comes amid South Africa’s tense atmosphere surrounding spaza shop regulations and xenophobia concerns that have dominated national discourse since late 2024.
Dana’s announcement prompted immediate reactions from South Africans, with many highlighting the stark differences between her privileged position as a celebrity and the experiences of ordinary citizens and migrants.
The timing of her declaration is particularly sensitive, as it coincides with ongoing tensions over foreign-owned spaza shops following multiple foodborne illness incidents that killed nearly 30 people, including children, after consuming snacks from unregistered shops.
Social media users flooded her comments with mixed reactions. One user, @Iam_FreemanDube, pointed out the privilege gap: “Because you’re not poor, it’s easy for you to travel as such. Where do you think someone who is running away from a war in DRC to Rwanda or someone running away from poverty in Zimbabwe to SA will get medical insurance or money for a visa? Let alone a passport.”
Another user, @WexxyW, questioned the logic behind South Africa’s anti-foreigner sentiment: “You’ll be a documented foreigner, which makes you legal. So why are your fellow South Africans calling for mass removals, even of those with papers? What’s the logic behind that? I genuinely don’t understand. Illegal, yes, I’m with you 100%, but documented too? Senseless.”
Dana herself responded to the controversy by emphasizing her intention to be a respectful foreigner: “I’m a South African who is a foreigner too. I have good manners and respect the citizens and the laws of the country I currently reside. I’m not an entitled foreigner.”
User @LekoManameSnr defended the broader context: “Celebrities that get it! We are not crazy. The situation demands we deal with the ANC (voting) and also speak out against the perpetrators taking advantage of the mess they’ve gotten us in. Poor South Africans are the ones dealing with this mess. We need to listen.”
