By Ollus Ndomu
Self-proclaimed Malawian prophet Shepherd Bushiri has criticized South African media for prioritizing coverage of Chris Brown’s Johannesburg concert over his prayer gathering, which reportedly drew a crowd of 110,000. Bushiri expressed his frustration in a Facebook post, accusing the media of celebrating entertainment while undermining religion.
The controversy erupted after widespread reports praised the turnout at Brown’s performance at FNB Stadium but offered little coverage of Bushiri’s prayer event. Bushiri claimed this disparity reflects a bias against religious leaders in South Africa.
“They gladly wrote about Chris Brown fans; ‘they were entertained’ and my followers who attended prayers; ‘they were brainwashed.’ Wow,” he wrote. He also alleged that the media perpetuates an agenda against “men of God” while celebrating what he described as “evil.”
Bushiri’s comments have sparked debate online, with some supporting his claims of media bias, while others criticized him for seeking attention. The divide highlights growing tensions between religious figures and popular culture in South Africa.
Neither South African media outlets nor representatives for Chris Brown have responded to Bushiri’s allegations. The incident continues to fuel conversations about the role of media in balancing coverage of cultural and religious events.
