Local Muslims have accused Emo Adams of “selling out” after the Cape Flats star appeared on the entertainment line-up for the Democratic Alliance’s Time for Change Rally.
The party, which Muslims regard as supporters of Israel, live-streamed the event on Saturday, 22 May, as it campaigns for the upcoming local government elections.
Other artists featured in the 105-minute rally included Early B, Thembinkosi Booi, MFR Souls & Bassie and Andriette.
Emo, 43, performed a medley of numbers with his band – on the top of a building with Table Mountain in the background – including Shibobo, Waka Waka, Gums Kawielie Wams and Stand By Me.
But Muslims, who recently staged protests against the deadly onslaught in occupied Palestine, were not impressed with the local singer and TV star.
Prominent activist and former Trafalgar High School principal, Nadeem Hendricks, called for a boycott of Emo.
He posted on Facebook: “I AM PALESTINE SIES EMO ADAMS. SELLING YOUR SOUL TO ZIONIST DA. SIES. WE MUST LAUNCH A MASSIVE BOYCOTT OF EMO.”(sic)
The post provoked an outpouring of anger at the Muslim Mitchells Plain-born star.
Prince Anwar wrote: “Emo is a real Sell-Out, lost respect for him....gonna burn all my Jag cds now!” (sic)
Oesaama Ebrahim Gabriels posted: “Emo Adams pull out while u still have the chance. The DA supports the Israeli state to its core. Please prove us wrong.”(sic)
Faizel Salie wrote : “He doing it for the money he never pull out then the DA will use it saying we support them pull out of it Emo.”(sic)
Activist Nadeem told the Daily Voice that anger is growing in the Muslim community.
“If he won’t pull out of this DA rally campaign, he will have to face the consequences. A lot of artist all over the world are backing the Free Palestine march, but Emo, is selling his soul for money by standing with the DA. We are giving him a choice to pull out still,” he said.
However, neither Emo – who won a SAFTA for Best Entertainment Programme at the weekend – nor his manager Olivia Gildenhuys responded to the Daily Voice’s phone calls, emails and text messages.
DA spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube said the party, “contracts artists for entertainment at big political events. This has been happening for years. Emo Adams - like other artists on the day - was contracted for the purpose of providing entrainment at the Time for Change rally.
“We will continue reaching out to many artists in the country who are prepared to perform at our political events like we have been for years now. It is customary for artists to perform at political events.
“The DA has, over the years, been consistent in calling for peace in the Middle East. We have recently echoed the call by the United Nations - condemning the violence in this region.“
venecia.america@inl.co.za