By Nokwanda Mamba

MBABANE: Mafikizolo has withdrawn from the Standard Bank Luju Festival  in solidarity with Swazis who are being killed by King Mswati.

This was confirmed by Lucky Lukhele, the Spokesperson of the Swaziland Solidarity Network(SSN), one of the groups that was lobbying South African artists not to perform in eSwatini until the country democratized.

“We can confirm that Mafikizolo decided to withdraw in solidarity with the Swazis who are being killed by Mswati”, said the Solidarity Network Spokesperson.

Efforts to reach Mafikizolo’s Management for a comment proved unsuccessful at the time of compiling this report.

The withdrawal by Mafikizolo comes shortly after this Swaziland News reported that Sjava also decided not to perform in the country, his Management confirmed to this publication.

Standard Bank eSwatini Chief Executive Mvuselelo Fakudze had not responded at the time of compiling this report.

Speaking to this Swaziland News on Thursday during an interview, Poet Mzwakhe Mbuli said he decided to convince Sjava and other artists not to perform at the Standard Bank Luju Festival because he believed no entertainment should take place while people were being killed.

“We couldn’t allow a situation where people are being entertained while others are bleeding, killed, others mourning. We couldn’t allow a situation where we pretended as if it’s Christmas while people are being killed with live ammunition. Kahleni-bo thou shall not kill. Swazis are the image of God, Swazis and Zulus are one. We have one blood, we cannot keep quiet while people are being killed”, said the well-known South African Poet.