As calls grew louder for South African celebrities to speak out about illegal immigration, DJ Speedsta chose a different approach.
Image: Facebook/DJ Speedsta
As debates around illegal immigration continue to dominate conversations in South Africa, DJ Speedsta has explained why he chose not to join the chorus of celebrity voices.
The broadcaster and hip hop DJ said that he refuses to let social media decide when he should speak or what he should have an opinion about.
His comments come after weeks of online pressure that saw several public figures criticised for remaining silent during anti-illegal immigration protests and marches, including the national shutdown held on June 30.
Speaking on an episode of “Up To Speed with DJ Speedsta”, which premiered on YouTube on July 6, he reflected on the growing expectation that celebrities should respond to every trending topic.
"First of all, celebrities are also human beings, and everybody's allowed to have an opinion and preference," he said.
Rather than commenting for the sake of pleasing social media, Speedsta believes that people should only speak when they have a proper understanding of the issue.
"I personally don't speak much on politics because I don't know much. So I'm the same. I'm not gonna go out there and say viva, viva this, viva. I'm not gonna speak on something I don't know."
His comments struck a chord with many people who have questioned whether celebrities have a responsibility to weigh in on political and social debates simply because they have large followings.
In recent weeks, social media users have increasingly called on musicians, actors and influencers to publicly share their views on illegal immigration. Some users even created lists of celebrities that they believed should be cancelled for choosing to stay silent.
For Speedsta, however, staying quiet is not about avoiding difficult conversations. It is about being honest about what he knows and refusing to perform for the internet.
His message also highlights a wider conversation about celebrity culture. While public figures often use their platforms to raise awareness about important causes, many argue that fame should not automatically make someone an authority on every issue.
Several well-known South Africans have found themselves under the spotlight for remaining silent during the recent immigration debate.
Global music producer Black Coffee and amapiano star Uncle Waffles were among those criticised online for not commenting publicly.
Former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi and actress Nomzamo Mbatha have also faced similar criticism in the past for choosing not to weigh in on broader social and political matters.
Even DJ Tira was drawn into the debate. Some social media users called for a boycott of his “Durban Hotbox" event after accusing him of staying silent on anti-illegal immigration protests.
The conversation gained further attention when his wife, Gugu Khathi, shared her own views online.
"We are not lazy. The youth of South Africa are not lazy. People in South Africa are not lazy. You just don't have a choice," she said.
She argued that many South Africans are willing to work but face limited opportunities and called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to address concerns around undocumented foreign nationals.