Comments on: A new national anthem

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 20:07:42 +0000

Jaxon, you hit the nail on the head. This mongrel mix of a generally African hymn (already owned by at least one other country), seconded by a couple of verses to patronise the white folk is a complete joke. I think the mbube plan is a fantastic idea!

By: Nandi

Nandi — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 09:52:55 +0000

I must just put it out there that I agree with Musa’s point (in case anyone missed this). I’m afraid that even in the midst of such pertinent conversation, my friend’s narcissism is undeniable.

The world must know that he made a valid point, not that such points are scarce in Musa’s world. (I hope that I have redeemed myself with this post Musa):)

Jaxon, thank you for the article. There is so much that I feel strongly about that sometimes some issues take a back seat, until a well thoughtout article is written about it and brings back such thoughts to the fore… “lest we forget”.

By: Musa

Musa — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 09:42:22 +0000

I think sanity is prevailing, a number of good points have been made.
Its not the anthem that needs changing, its the attitudes.I maintain, the formerly oppressed have embraced their oppressors anthem as their own as well.Why won’t the former oppressors return the gesture?
Admitedly when my friends and I sang Die Stem with equal viguor at the FNB staduim in soccer matches a few years ago, we would get bemused looks. But rather then scorn and ridicule the reaction has always been that we seem to be the new generation, regardless of age, who are forging on with new hope because we are now equal.It actually brings a new unknown dignity to all, alike.Watching some of the soccer fans gripping their chests and loudly mumbling Afrikans and English without the faintest idea of the lyrics, brings a tear to ones eye.They keep the tune though, Africans can sing!
Thats the attitude of the poor, down trodden and formerly oppressed.Why are the former oppressors not joining the party?It troubles me at times.We need a change of attitude, but even that seems too much to ask for.

By: Jaxon Rice

Jaxon Rice — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 09:18:57 +0000

Nandi – it’s that exact “roar” of Die Stem halfway through the anthem during rugby tests that made me embarrassed enough to write this article in the first place.

If people cannot be bothered to learn the whole anthem in the first place then maybe we should remove “Die Stem”. It was put in there as a compromise and a gesture of reconciliation, but reconciliation is a two way street.

By: Nandi

Nandi — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:39:47 +0000

“Although the anthem of the opressor became yours, yours also became theirs.” If only this was the case Rohan.

I remember growing uo in King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape having to sing the “new” anthem at assemblies and sports events and the experience was always that the black students new the anthem from start to finish and sang all the lyrics with as much pride as they could muster while there was always a distinct “roar” added when Die Stem started. I remember looking up at the stage one morning and felt such embarrasment and sadness at realising that out of all the 20 plus teachers on stage only two were singing Nkosi Sikel’ iAfrika (the one black teacher we had another gentleman).

Our national anthem must not change, attitudes must change until one day the whole sing is belted out with the same gusto by all people who call themselves South African.

As it stands, our anthem is a true reflection of our “Rainbow Nation”. We are still divided and all that will change that is a shift in attitudes.

“Nkosi sikelel’iAfrika… o fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho… uit die blou van onse hemel… sounds the call to come together and united we shall stand.” That is still our prayer, to see an end to war and strife until one day we stand together, united.

By: Jaxon Rice

Jaxon Rice — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 08:01:58 +0000

Musa – you make some really good points there.

By: Rohan

Rohan — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 07:29:18 +0000

Agreed Musa! although, I’m not sure whether I agree that it’s a matter of ‘accepting the oppressor song’? We are now one nation, no? Although the anthem of the opressor became yours, yours also became theirs. In other words, it is one anthem for what is now one people. Very suitable and pride invoking, and definitly not to be compared to Mbube and DelaRey etc

By: Musa

Musa — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 07:08:17 +0000

Are you guys serious about about Mbube!?Whats next, Shosholoza with that De LaRey number!!??Come now. We accepted the compromise, hence we do not complian and actually sing Die Stem as well but don’t insult us.Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica is a prayer and a song of hope for many African people(acriss the continent). It is not to be belittled and compared to some feel good songs.You best understand, as I stated before, the people of this country have accepted that for the greater good the anthem of their oppressors has become their own as well. As long as you do not belittle and take away their prayer and song of hope for a better tommorrow in Africa, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica….

By: Dale Imerman

Dale Imerman — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:51:54 +0000

I love our anthem, although I kinda switch off when the stem part comes in.
Something I have always wondered is how similar Nkosi Sikele’ iAfrika sounds to Incy Wincy Spider…

By: john morton

john morton — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:14:13 +0000

Pardon me for intruding on your anthemic problems – whatever illness there may be in English rugby, our anthem, crappy dirge it may be, is there for keeps. But I agree, Mbube would make a fantastic anthem. And didn’t I hear some of the crowd singing it in the SA Fiji match?

Roll on England Argentina for the final.