The government of Malawi has banned South African dancer and entertainer, Zodwa Wabantu, from coming into the country to perform because her raunchy and erotic dance moves.
The Malawian Ministry of Tourism and Culture in a memo to the show organisers stopping Wabantu from entering the country, said her explicit dance moves are out of tune with the country’s moral standards.
The controversial South African celebrity has made a career and international recognition from her raunchy and suggestive dancing styles which include wearing revealing clothes and often going on stage without any underwear.
She was scheduled for a performance in the southern Malawian city of Blantyre on June 11, but the show’s organisers put up a statement on Saturday afternoon to say they have received communication from the country’s censorship board that the South African will not be allowed to enter the country.
The country’s Tourism and Culture Minister, Micheal Usi, also told a local newspaper that he backed the decision to stop Wabantu from coming into the country.
The newspaper quoted the Minister as saying that he had received numerous calls from local women opposed to the South African performing in Malawi and there was no way she would be allowed into the country on the back of such widespread complaints.
“Imagine if she came to perform and undressed on stage, what will all those women think of me?” The Minister was quoted.
Malawi, a secular state with a liberal constitution that guarantees freedom of expression, however, remains culturally conservative with most citizens leaning towards the Christian faith and frowns at attitude they deem not confirming to them.
This is not the first time Wabantu would be sanctioned by an African country as she was stopped from entering Zimbabwe in 2017, while Zambia deported her in 2018 ovet similar issues of performing raunchy dance moves and performing waves for the fact that she performs without wearing panties.
Wabantu whose real name is Rebecca Libram, started dancing in night clubs in South Africa and has over the last fear years become a popular dancer and television personality.