Union members refuse to sing national anthem

semiautomatix

semiautomatix

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All members rose and sang only Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, omitting the
Afrikaans and English sections added to transform it into the national anthem.
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Racism is alive an well in Africa:

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20090314144316698C915570

If this is how the general population had decided to act in South Africa, why not just forgo some clauses in the Constitution and allow all and miscellaneous to act as racist animals. At least that way we would all be in equal in the eyes of the world.

I'm sorry, but it is becoming increasingly clearer that Whites are complacent due to past guilt and other members of this country are taking advantage. I am all for democracy but stories like this one make me feel unproudly South African.

It is not fair. "Sins of the father" is a belief that ended with 1500 years of oppression in Europe and culminated in the evil that was the colonies. Go watch The Mission if you feel that kin of justice is warranted. The only reason Europe is the powerhouse that it is today is forgiveness of its oppressors and an embrace of all that exist to profit its "realm".
 
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Your link doesn't lead to a specific article.

Anyway, you may be reading too much into this. Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika has a very significant history distinct from its inclusion as part of the national anthem of South Africa. It's an African liberation song of great pedigree.

We wouldn't want to accuse people of racism when it's undue, would we? That's what the ANC does.
 
general_koffi said:
Your link doesn't lead to a specific article.

Anyway, you may be reading too much into this. Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika has a very significant history distinct from its inclusion as part of the national anthem of South Africa. It's an African liberation song of great pedigree.

We wouldn't want to accuse people of racism when it's undue, would we? That's what the ANC does.
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My apologies, the link was incorrect, please follow:

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=nw20090314144316698C915570

(it has been corrected now). Yes, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika has a very significant history for Africa. As such it is proudly included in the South African anthem. However, it is not the South African anthem, regardless. And neither is Die Stem.

So regardless of your opinion of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, when the State President stands up in front of you, you sing the entire national anthem of a united country, of which a great man, President Kgalema Motlanthe, is head of... or you shut up and pay respect.

FULL STOP.

EDIT: on a side note, disregarding the Afrikaans and English components of the anthem (1/2 of the anthem) is paying complete disregard for all White people in this country. As such, I condemn this as racism, and cannot condone these actions, and these workers knew it. Especially, I cannot condone this as a uniting action for a rainbow nation.

Why do you think our anthem is in so many language? It embraces the diversity that is our great nation. When someone dis regards a single piece, they disregard the differences that are (supposed to) make us a nation beyond other nations. It is sad, and disappointing.
 
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I see now that the occasion in question required the national anthem in its entirety. I thought maybe it was an ANC or COSATU rally, or something similar.

But no... This would appear to cast doubt on the NUMSA members' motives.
 
general_koffi said:
I see now that the occasion in question required the national anthem in its entirety. I thought maybe it was an ANC or COSATU rally, or something similar.

But no... This would appear to cast doubt on the NUMSA members' motives.
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Yes, sorry I got the link wrong, but when the State President (a man who's first language is neither isiZulu or isisXhosa, but Tswana) appears before you, you don't make a mockery of the institution.

Unfortunately not a political rally, but merely a union riot (supposedly unaffiliated, but thanks to COSATU, not a question)

Apparently these people only support Zuma, a sad state indeed - because of current trends it appears they don't support non-Ngunis speakers (especially Tswanas) and more especially Whites.

So, I feel safer after the attitudes of these buggers. :rolleyes:
 
Hey... atleast we won't have to sing umShini Wami at official get togethers. Imagine if that happened...!
 
... and this is surprising how? If the last 15 years of "democracy" have taught us anything, it is that racism is/was not the preserve of the white South Africans alone. Until all people can look past colour and past wrongs, this country is not going to be any better off than the worst years of apartheid.
 
It seems inevitable that this would happen. It's a bit like expecting Kwazulu-Natal to retain that name. Honourable people would oblige, but I don't see it staying for the same reason.
 
I am actually amazed that any of the apartheid era non-whites sing die stem -either in Afrikaans or English.

I understand it was a gesture of reconciliation/compromise - but it's perhaps time for a new national anthem with no ties to the past.
 
Well, go listen to the singing of the national anthem at a Springbok rugby match - 90% of the crowd join in only for the Die Stem bit.
 
rwenzori said:
Well, go listen to the singing of the national anthem at a Springbok rugby match - 90% of the crowd join in only for the Die Stem bit.
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I don't think this is quite the same thing.
Rugby supporters tend to be Afrikaans and may not know the words.
The President does not attend all matches.

How you arrive at 90% is also puzzling. Is this just your opinion?
 
It's been 14 years - is that not enough time to learn about 8 lines of singing ?

I seriously doubt their omission of the Xhosa words is based on not knowing the words. They most likely choose not to sing that part just as others have chosen not to sing the die stem portion.
 
I went out of my way to learn the words to the entire anthem... wasn't that hard. :) I like our present anthem.. very inclusive. Would be a shame to have to change it.
 
daveza said:
I seriously doubt their omission of the Xhosa words is based on not knowing the words. They most likely choose not to sing that part just as others have chosen not to sing the die stem portion.
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I tend to disagree with that. I was in Grade 2 (afaik) when the national anthem changed. We grew up with the new one, singing it at least once a week from them right through high school. But take my parents and their friends now. How can you expect them to know the song off by heart if they only get to sing it like a few times every few years? That is the only reason imo why they cannot sing along with the new anthem - they just don't know it.
 
Maybe the Americans know something. They tend to get a singer to lead, and sometimes have the words on a screen, bless 'em.:-)
 
daveza said:
I am actually amazed that any of the apartheid era non-whites sing die stem -either in Afrikaans or English.

I understand it was a gesture of reconciliation/compromise - but it's perhaps time for a new national anthem with no ties to the past.
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And I am surprised that most whites voted YES in the referendum but I guess it was a gesture of reconciliation/compromise. Wake up dumb ass. It works both ways.
 
daveza said:
I am actually amazed that any of the apartheid era non-whites sing die stem -either in Afrikaans or English.

I understand it was a gesture of reconciliation/compromise - but it's perhaps time for a new national anthem with no ties to the past.
Click to expand...

Mind you, the non-Whites didn't have to sing Die Stem everyday. Its the poor Whites that were against Apartheid but were forced to sing that damn anthem that are worse off :p
 
timgaul said:
Mind you, the non-Whites didn't have to sing Die Stem everyday. Its the poor Whites that were against Apartheid but were forced to sing that damn anthem that are worse off :p
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Actually us Ingilses used to sing "God Save the Queen", not Die Stem. ;)
 
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