The Home Office appears to have clearly reversed its previous decision to deny visas to 14 African student performers who are scheduled to participate in major cultural exchange programs.
Marsha Gusti, president and founder of Kwaya Australia, said he received a call from a government representative on Tuesday, advised that all visas were granted after additional information was submitted to the new application.
“I was shocked. That's not something that's usually done,” Gusti said.
“When I told the good news to the students it was early in the Uganda morning. They were all sitting at the video call table and when I said the government had reconsidered and they were approved now, they all cheered and danced. It seemed like I'd never seen it.
“I'm grateful.”
The group will perform as part of the Ubuntu Africa Tour, hosted by Kwaya Australia, a nonprofit organization that promotes cultural exchange and education for children in Ugandan through music and outreach.
Kwaya Australia is planning a schedule for an eight-week event aimed at promoting cultural understanding and raising funds for African youth programs. Previously, they successfully ran five national tours under the same initiative.
They are scheduled to arrive in Australia this Friday.
Visa Refusal forced cancellation of potential tours
Performers had applied for the GG-408 Entertainment Activity Visa under a cultural subclass designed to support programs that promote international cultural exchange.
However, all 14 applications were originally denied by the Home Office, citing concerns under section 408.213, specifically the applicant intends to “remain temporarily staying in Australia for activities granted with a visa.”
SBS News has seen rejection letters issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to several members of the group.
The department said it had not commented on individual cases.
One important criteria for evaluation is whether the applicant has previously traveled to Australia, complied with the visa conditions, and provided sufficient evidence of the true intention to stay temporarily as an entertainer.
Gusti said Monday that the decision had devastating consequences not only for young performers, but also for Australian philanthropy partners and supporters.
In a letter to Home Minister Tony Burke, she wrote: “Do you say only people who have already entered Australia can trust you?
“If this precedent applies, we are permanently closing our doors in cultural exchange with new African participants.”
If this precedent applies, we are permanently closing our doors in cultural exchanges.
Marsha Gusti, president and founder of Kwaya, Australia
The group estimated that cancelling the tour would result in a direct financial loss of $80,000, with potential sponsorship and fundraising opportunities of up to $600,000.
Gusti said she was “absolutely flummed” by the original decision and questioned what message she would send about Australia's reputation on the world stage.
“The Ubuntu Africa program sent a lot of kids to the UK. They traveled for two months and were celebrated all over the UK… They were the first travelers like us,” Gusti said.
“We don't welcome cultural performers right now? Should they have to be here twice?
Gusti also questioned whether the same decision was made if the group was a sports team and asked, “Is this cultural thing?”
Faith Nassande says he hopes the government will reconsider their decisions. Source: Supply
Performers plead for a second chance
In addition to the confusion, three performers, including choir conductor Faith Nassande, had previously been approved to travel to Australia in 2020 as part of their previous tour.
However, due to the Covid-19 border closure, their trip was cancelled.
Kwaya Australia said on Monday before the visa was granted, he was particularly disappointed that a student who had previously been given a visa is now being denied.
Speaking from Kampala in Uganda, Nasande told SBS when the visa was denied, but while she understood the government's decision, she hoped it would be reconsidered in light of previous approvals.
“Hopefully, if you can officially meet you in Australia, you are a great person, and I know I am a great person from all sorts of people I have met here in Africa.
“I request the government to give us another opportunity to allow us to share our beauty, our culture and everything. And before they know that, we're going back to Africa.”
Speaking from Uganda, program manager Barnett Twesigome said the choir had been rehearsing for two months and while the visa application was submitted three months ago, the government's original decision was only a few days after the flight.
“The government (in Australia) has been good for us so far. I just wait for an appeal, but I know they are trying to protect people from moving there.
“But we just want them to know that we are not those kinds of people. We are a very established organization and we don't want to put anything at risk.
“Ubuntu means oneness. So, regardless of where you come from or which continent you are on, one, one. So we're together and that's what we keep emphasizing.”
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