Whose anthem is it anyway?

I would definitely agree that we need to regulate how our national anthem is sung. Having had an opportunity to air my views on this matter on Ligwalagwala FM, I felt that Ras’s rendition of the anthem was a national embarassment. Whoever was responsible for his appointment, needed to ensure that they get someone who is up to date with what is happening here at home or at the very least, ensure that he obtains the correct version of the anthem and rehearses it before performance. I have taken this stance because we seem to be the only nation - worldwide, which does not respect its national anthem. Even during our soccer matches at various stadia, you will often see players and fans on the stands chewing gums, others picking their noses etc. when the national anthem is sung. We need to conscientize the nation that this is not just any song, but a song with symbolic meaning and some history to it, and from this angle, it can be looked at as our National Heritage - which must be respected, protected and always sung with pride as it represents what South Africa is all about.

There are those who would like to see it as a national prayer, but then one would have to be careful not to impose on the multi-faith nation his/her definition of a prayer in line with the Constitution of the Republic. There are also a few youth that I have engaged on the matter, who seemed totally disaffected and felt that we made a fuss about nothing - that the national anthem is just another gospel song. Needless to say how lost our youth is!!

Thanks
Kgomotso

When the Springboks and All blacks play the AB’s were using a different haka for a while there…maybe the boks could use a different version of the Anthem each time they play France. Lol