The Kiffness refuses to be silenced after Sooliman critique

The Kiffness (local musician David Scott) was disinvited from speaking at his alma mater, Pridwin Preparatory School (Pridwin) after challenging Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman on social media for being a “radical Islamist under the guise of a humanitarian”.

Scott, whose stage name is The Kiffness, is a religious Christian, known for his humorous, satirical songs often featuring cats. He was appalled at a recent clip of Sooliman speaking at a mosque in Cape Town.

Said Sooliman, “The Koran says to strike terror into the hearts of your enemies and Allah’s enemies. [When South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice], it made 60 other countries not be afraid anymore. It’s not what we achieved or what rule is passed. What is important is to tell the Zionists, ‘We are not afraid of you.’”

Scott shared the video in a tweet on 28 November, and wrote, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly, they are ferocious wolves. Dr Sooliman is a radical Islamist under the guise of a humanitarian, and Gift of the Givers is the front for a far more sinister agenda.”

The musician faced a massive backlash of abuse, threats, and calls for him to be “cancelled”. Then, he was disinvited from speaking at his old primary school, Pridwin in Johannesburg. The Christian school has a small number of Jewish students. Scott contacted the headmaster to share why he wrote the tweet, and asked him to share this perspective with staff and parents. He was told that the staff and board of governors, who represent the parent body, would look at it, but he hasn’t heard anything since.

“Two days before Pridwin’s prize-giving ceremony, I was informed by the teacher who had invited me that the headmaster had received threats from some of the school’s Muslim parents,” says Scott. “These parents stated that they would boycott the event if I were allowed to speak. In response, Pridwin decided to cancel my appearance without any further explanation why.”

Scott says he doesn’t harbour resentment toward those who disagreed with his invitation, “not even the parents who threatened to boycott if I spoke. People are entitled to their opinions. What I find concerning is the headmaster’s decision to surrender to the demands of a small group.

“While it may have seemed like an easy way to avoid immediate conflict, such appeasement often sets a troubling precedent. It risks fostering a culture where the loudest voices – or threats – can dictate decisions, even at the expense of open dialogue or fairness.”

Pridwin Executive Headmaster Ross Grimley told the SA Jewish Report, “Some of Mr Scott’s views were recently the subject of debate and comment, including among our school community. We took the decision to change the guest speaker at prize-giving to ensure that the focus of the entire Pridwin community remained on the extraordinary achievements of our senior primary boys. We didn’t want anything to detract from the celebratory nature of the occasion.”

But Scott hopes that the school “remember[s] the foundational Christian values the school was built upon. If ‘cancel’ culture has taught us anything, it’s that bowing to the demands of the loudest voices always leads to more harm than good. Schools need to remain constant in their principles, regardless of pressure from parents, the media, or any group that doesn’t align with their core values. By standing firm, schools can foster environments that prioritise truth, character, and resilience – qualities essential for shaping the next generation.”

Going back to why he criticised Sooliman, Scott says he has “always admired the incredible work of Gift of the Givers and Dr Sooliman’s leadership. In the past, I even made a meme highlighting how much better off South Africa might be if our taxes went to organisations like theirs.”

That’s why he was so surprised to hear Sooliman’s recent rhetoric, “which seems at odds with the values of compassion and unity his non-governmental organisation embodies. Several statements have raised red flags. For example, when the government of national unity was formed, he expressed disappointment that MK [uMkhonto weSizwe] and the Economic Freedom Fighters weren’t included – groups associated with concerning ideologies and actions.”

The real turning point for him, though, was when Sooliman openly stated in an interview that he prioritised Koranic law over national law, and when he called his audience to “strike terror into the hearts of your enemies and Allah’s enemies”. For Scott, “these words and their implications completely clash with the humanitarian principles that drew my respect for him in the first place”.

Scott says that in the music industry, “saying something that sparks backlash can put a musician’s livelihood at risk, so I think many artists choose to stay silent, even when they feel strongly about an issue”. He’s fortunate to be in a position where he has built a global audience through platforms like YouTube, which allows him to bypass the traditional “gatekeepers” of the music industry.

Because of this independence, he can speak his mind freely. “In fact, I believe it’s my ability to express myself authentically that laid the foundation for my success on YouTube in the first place,” he says. “As for the backlash, I understand it comes with the territory. Those who want to ‘cancel’ me don’t know me or my intentions. I harbour no ill will toward them. I simply focus on staying true to myself and ultimately to G-d.”

Scott says he also holds no resentment toward Sooliman’s supporters and genuinely wishes them well. “I understand why some people might have been offended by my comments. It’s not every day you see someone, let alone ‘the guy who remixes cats on YouTube’ critique an organisation as widely respected as Gift of the Givers. Its work has undeniably brought immense good to countless lives, and that naturally inspires loyalty.”

However, his concerns weren’t about its humanitarian efforts, “but about specific statements made by Sooliman that I felt warranted attention. The backlash reinforced for me how deeply people respect his organisation, but it also confirmed the importance of holding everyone – no matter how revered – accountable for their words. Constructive criticism and open dialogue are essential, especially when people have such significant global influence.”

Scott has also received support, including from others who share concerns about Sooliman’s rhetoric. “I’m grateful for opportunities like this interview, where there’s a genuine interest in hearing my perspective,” he says. “It stands in contrast to other media outlets that often seem more focused on catching people out than engaging in meaningful conversation. I’ve learned to engage only with journalists who approach the conversation in good faith, as I believe there’s little value in speaking to those with an agenda.”

Finally, “I want to wish the South African Jewish community a wonderful Chanukah,” he says. “My prayer is that you remain safe during this festive season, and enjoy cherished times with friends and family.”