08 April 2026

Concern Regarding the Platforming of The Kiffness at Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts

To: The Board and Management of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)

I write to express my profound dismay and unequivocal condemnation of your decision to provide a prestigious platform to David Scott (professionally known as The Kiffness) at the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts on 28 December 2025.

Kirstenbosch is more than a venue. It is a national treasure, a symbol of our natural heritage and a public space that should embody the highest ideals of the South African project: unity in diversity, reconciliation and social cohesion. It is funded and maintained in the public trust. The decision to stage The Kiffness betrays this trust and stands in direct contradiction to the values SANBI purports to uphold.

SANBI’s own mandate includes a commitment to “benefit, educate and inspire the people of South Africa.” Its values undoubtedly speak to integrity, respect, and national service. How, then, does providing a stage to an individual with a documented record of divisive and hateful rhetoric align with this mission?

David Scott has used his significant social media platform not for unity, but for division. In addition, David Scott has amplified demonstrably false and inflammatory claims about race in South Africa. He has promoted the debunked notion of a “white genocide” in South Africa, echoing a narrative that has been repeatedly rejected by official crime statistics and recent court findings, which show no evidence of any organised campaign of ethnic cleansing against white farmers or white South Africans generally. He has also circulated the misleading assertion that South Africa is “the most race‑regulated country in the world”, alleging that 143 or 144 laws discriminate against white people – a figure sourced from right‑wing lobby groups and commentators which legal analysts and researchers have shown to be methodologically flawed and ideologically driven, misclassifying many constitutional redress and equality measures as “anti‑white” race laws. By endorsing these myths, Scott not only distorts the realities of violence and inequality in South Africa but also undermines the constitutional project of non‑racialism and redress for those historically disadvantaged by apartheid.

He has also:

1. Publicly aligned himself with the extremist MAGA ideology – a movement fundamentally at odds with the democratic and inclusive values of our South African Constitution.
2. Made statements widely understood as denying the ongoing genocide in Gaza – a stance that is an affront to human rights and the dignity of all who stand for justice.
3. Engaged in derisive, hate-filled commentary targeting those who advocate for Palestinian human rights – mocking and vilifying individuals and organisations dedicated to peace and equality.

These are not mere differences of political opinion. This is the language of othering, denialism and division. In a country like South Africa, which remains deeply scarred by the legacy of apartheid and systemic inequality, the words and platforms we choose to amplify carry immense weight. Giving a stage to such voices does not “build social cohesion”; it actively undermines it. It signals to a significant portion of the South African population – including those who identify with the Palestinian struggle as an echo of their own fight against oppression – that their pain and their solidarity are not welcome in our national gardens.

I am aware that numerous appeals have been made to Kirstenbosch management by respected civil society groups, fellow performers, and public figures. The lack of a substantive and urgent response is deeply concerning and indicates a disregard for legitimate public concern.

Therefore, I demand clear and public answers to the following questions:

1. How does SANBI justify its decision to platform The Kiffness, in light of his public statements that are fundamentally at odds with the constitutional values of human dignity, equality, and freedom?
2. What specific, measurable actions will SANBI and Kirstenbosch take to ensure that the Summer Sunset Concerts programme actively promotes social cohesion and does not provide a platform for individuals who traffic in division and hate?
3. How will you reconcile this booking with your commitment to being a “national asset for all the people of South Africa,” and what processes will you implement to ensure future programming decisions are made with greater ethical and social scrutiny?

This is a pivotal moment for SANBI. Will you be an institution that looks the other way in the face of bigotry, or one that stands firmly on the side of justice, inclusivity, and the shared humanity that our botanical gardens so beautifully represent?

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

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