Anger over an upcoming concert by musician David Scott, popularly known as The Kiffness, at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden has escalated into protests, with civil society organisations accusing the venue and its management of violating constitutional and institutional values.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Mothers4Gaza, and allied organisations said they were “deeply disappointed” that the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and Kirstenbosch allowed the concert to proceed despite objections raised by activist groups.
Kirstenbosch, which is managed by SANBI, is a publicly funded institution and hosts the annual summer concert series, traditionally marketed as inclusive and reflective of South Africa’s diversity.
Claims of Exclusion and Division
The organisations argue that SANBI’s decision undermines the spirit of inclusivity associated with the concert series.
“SANBI’s choice of a pro-Israel public figure to headline an annual inclusive concert at Kirstenbosch is an effort to alienate and exclude a significant number of Capetonians and visitors to the city,” the groups said in a joint statement.
While acknowledging Scott’s constitutional right to freedom of expression, the organisations maintain that his public views make him unsuitable for a state-funded platform.
“While David Scott is entitled to freedom of speech under our constitution, he is an outspoken defender of military action against the people of Gaza,” the statement said.
The groups also accused the artist of promoting racist and discriminatory views on social media, allegations that have been central to opposition against the concert.
Alleged Breach of SANBI’s Own Values
The organisations said SANBI’s decision contradicts its own stated institutional values, which include Ubuntu, respect, tolerance, accountability and transformation.
“The SANBI decision to allow the concert to take place violates the values, especially in relation to respect, accountability and transformation,” the statement said.
They further accused the biodiversity institute of fuelling division rather than promoting unity.
“SANBI, a state-funded entity, has chosen to platform an individual with a documented record of promoting racial hostility, Islamophobia, and views that undermine our nation’s hard-won social cohesion,” the organisations said.
“This is not about ‘free speech’; it is about the state’s positive duty to protect citizens from dignitary harm and to foster unity, not division.”
Security Measures Under Fire
The PSC and Mothers4Gaza also criticised SANBI’s handling of ongoing protests at Kirstenbosch, alleging a heavy-handed security response.
“While thanking us for our peaceful Tuesday protests, SANBI management has simultaneously engaged in a duplicitous campaign to vilify us,” the groups said.
They claimed the botanical garden had been “securitised not to protect the public, but to protect a right-wing agenda and to exclude ordinary South Africans and peaceful dissent”.
Minister Accused of Siding With Artist
The organisations also directed criticism at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, accusing the Minister of sidelining civil society concerns.
“The Minister’s decision to engage directly with The Kiffness before meeting with representative civil society organisations is a disgraceful illustration of where their loyalties lie,” the statement said.
Calls for Cancellation and Escalating Protest
The PSC, Mothers4Gaza and their partners are demanding that SANBI and Kirstenbosch cancel the concert and issue a public apology.
They confirmed that they have approached the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the Presidency, and several government departments to intervene.
“Because of SANBI’s conduct, our peaceful weekly Tuesday protests at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden will continue and intensify,” the organisations warned.
“We will hold SANBI’s management accountable for this failure of ethical and constitutional governance on their doorstep.”
The groups have also called on members of the public to join them at Kirstenbosch on Tuesday, December 30, saying they aim “to reject the attempts to drag our nation back to a bitter, divisive, and hateful past”.
