The Puebla International Literature Festival in Mexico has made a dramatic decision, rescinding South Africa's designation as the country in focus for the 2024 festival. This follows the controversial withdrawal of Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina, who faced intense scrutiny and accusations of xenophobia on social media, with many questioning her citizenship.
The festival organisers, who also withdrew invitations extended to South African authors, cited recent events that have "deeply troubled" the African community. "It is with a sense of sadness that we acknowledge the distressing events in South Africa, where the apparatuses of the state, coupled with the troubling silence of many within the cultural sphere, have enabled a climate of mob rule. This has led to the victimisation of Chidimma Adetshina, her family, and members of immigrant communities in South Africa, thus undermining the very principles of justice, equality, and human dignity that literature seeks to uphold," festival director Ikenna Okeh said in a statement.
The festival, aiming to be a beacon for diverse voices, cultures and ideas, believes that literature has the power to challenge the status quo, speak to authority, and give a voice to the voiceless. However, the organisers felt they could not, in good conscience, honour a country as a focal point of their celebration when it is currently embroiled in profound injustices, particularly those that have gained momentum following the Miss South Africa beauty pageantry.
While acknowledging South Africa's "rich literary heritage" and the many courageous writers, poets, and artists who continue to inspire the world, the festival stressed that their decision is a statement against the current state of affairs that contradicts the values they hold dear. They stand in solidarity with those who are fighting for justice, both within South Africa and across the globe.
The festival will continue to support and provide platforms for South African writers and thinkers working towards positive change, but highlighted that it was crucial to send a "clear message that cultural recognition cannot be divorced from ethical responsibility".
In response to the festival's decision, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie took to Facebook, defending South Africa's stance and highlighting the gravity of the situation. He asserted that SA is a "sovereign nation" with laws that all must respect. "The parents of Chidimma Adetshina have broken these laws, and this is an undeniable fact. It's disheartening that the focus is often shifted away from the South African victims of such crimes. Many parents struggle to register their children in schools or universities, and finding a job becomes an uphill battle," he said.
McKenzie further highlighted identity theft as a serious crime in the country. "I personally know of South African children who have taken their own lives after being rendered stateless due to identity theft. We were nearly represented on the world stage by someone who fraudulently obtained her South African identity," he said.
McKenzie acknowledged that South Africa is home to many foreign nationals who have legally applied for citizenship and refugees who genuinely need the country's help and resources. However, he stressed that the presence of people who have fraudulently obtained citizenship not only undermines the rights of South Africans, but also does a great disservice to those who are in the country legally and need assistance.
"Look how easily South Africans get denied by this festival…innocent South Africans because they expect us to allow a crime to be overlooked or a recipient of a crime," he said.
