The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media
platforms spanning newspaper print
operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a
leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and
international interest.
Veteran South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka has called on Africans to shun xenophobia 48 hours after she was turned away from entering Uganda over visa issues.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Chaka Chaka reiterated that her compatriots are loving people who have over the years lend a helping hand to many African nations.
"South Africans are not bad people. We have helped our brothers, but sometimes we forget that we are all human, we are African," said Chaka Chaka.
She went ahead to affirm how other countries reciprocated the gesture and helped them during the nation’s dark days and decried the intolerance taking root in the economic powerhouse.
"I don't know what South Africa is getting into. You do not live or work alone, we are dependent on each other. Other nations helped us when we were in need but now it seems like we are at war with our own," she added.
A fact that hit closer home three months ago after her daughter Fortune lost everything after her shop in Maboneng, Johannesburg was targeted, looted and destroyed in an attack allegedly motivated by xenophobia.
"They stole everything, all the clothes and everything in the shop. Even the mannequins are on the floor. It is terrible. There was a lot of damage.
"She is fine. It is very sad but we are just glad she and her staff are safe. It is a very big blow," Chaka Chaka tweeted at the time.
Uganda deportation
Refuting claims that she was deported from Uganda on New Year’s Eve on grounds that she didn’t possess the correct travelling documents crippling her Buganda Kingdom's Enkuuka Y'Omwaka performance, the Umqombothi hitmaker explained that she wouldn’t be travelling with a business class ticket if it at all it was deportation.
“If I was deported would they buy me a business class ticket? Nooooo they just put you on the plane. So now you know. I took a decision not to appear this evening at Enkuuka Y'Omwaka because there were too many things I could not understand or explain.
“If somebody were to explain to me I would have understood. But not deported, not arrested, not captured but everything is fine, everything is in order. I know my country is worried, my people are worried, my husband is worried, everybody is worried but I am fine," she tweeted.
READ ALSO: Is something brewing between Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Margaret Kenyatta?
But according to Ugandan police, she was deported for travelling on an ordinary visa instead of a work visa and escorted to Entebbe International airport.
“The singer has been barred from performing any income-generating activity within the country including musical concepts and musical entertainment. This was essentially done by our officials to help maintain the integrity and immigration rules to all visitors to our country,” said the police spokesperson.
