Maimane admits to having problems with Die Stem

[ngwe23]

Johannesburg - DA leader Mmusi Maimane has problems singing Die Stem, but says changes to the National Anthem are subject to constitutional processes.

In negotiations with the EFF to form coalitions there had been broad discussions about street names and other remnants of apartheid, he told reporters in Sandton on Wednesday.

He was asked whether he did indeed tell the EFF that asking black people to sing Die Stem was like asking Jews to sing songs expressing support for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

“As a child, I had to go through Die Stem, so I had to think carefully about that,” he said.
http://www.news24.com/Elections/News/maimane-admits-to-having-problems-with-die-stem-20160818

 

[junni]

I also had a problem with singing Die Stem. This was because of growing up in an Apartheid era. South Africa should have gone for an anthem which is neutral like the flag. Leave both Nkosi and Die Stem and let the people decide. Get someone to create a new anthem like with the flag and let the people decide what they want. We are being forced to sing the anthem where some people don't like the first part and some the second part.

 

[Tikkop]

Die Stem is a beautiful song, but it unfortunately is a remnant of Apartheid. Shouldn't be surprising that it doesn't sit well with lots of non-whites, as they were probably forced to learn and sing it at a young age and serves as a reminder of oppression.

Doesn't help also that at certain sporting events, when it comes to the part of singing Die Stem, then suddenly people who were quiet start singing along or they just sing louder as if it is a more significant part of the anthem.

 

[LazyLion]

I don't care if they throw it out, but it would be better just to pick a completely new anthem, just like they did with the flag.

 

[saor]

It's silly to sing both.
Kill it with fire and let's use the latest one / make a new one.
(I don't really care for anthems either way)

 

[Garson007]

Should have been one away with at the time, agreed.

That said, the part that is incorporated in the national anthem isn't that bad. Nothing in it can be linked with Afrikaner nationalism directly.

 

[KillerX]

Much a do about nothing. How often do you sing the anthem? Once a year?

Lets address the major problems we have as a nation, then we can focus on renaming streets and airports and decide what we want to do with the anthem. You know, priorities and all that.

 

[Kosmik]

I don't care if they throw it out, but it would be better just to pick a completely new anthem, just like they did with the flag.

Yep. Would be happy with a newly composed one.

 

[Heisenborg]

And if he made this comment before the vote the DA would not be where they are right now would they. Bit of a hypocrite if u ask me

 

[backstreetboy]

And if he made this comment before the vote the DA would not be where they are right now would they. Bit of a hypocrite if u ask me

He (and the DA) showed their true colors ages ago...

 

[werfie]

Well that lasted long. Look I understand the painful memories of apartheid and reminders such as this, but surely there is more important issues than renaming stuff. People are dying daily from hunger, illness and crime. They sleep on the streets or have to sleep in dwellings unfit for any living occupation.

I don't have a principle problem with the renaming/changing of things, but surely tangible dire problems deserve attention first and foremost. Until every single child has a full stomach, safe place to live and be educated, I don't even remotely understand why time and money is being spent on this.

Maybe someone can convince me otherwise?

 

[Kosmik]

And if he made this comment before the vote the DA would not be where they are right now would they. Bit of a hypocrite if u ask me

Why? He's being honest, both about how he feels and the process that would be required to change it.

 

[saor]

And if he made this comment before the vote the DA would not be where they are right now would they. Bit of a hypocrite if u ask me

No, it's called being a realist.
He realizes people can be swayed by petty things like national anthems.
Would be silly to say it before the elections.

 

[Pitbull]

Take it out, but allow me to be able to sing it publicly if I want.

Times have changed, I'm open to suggestions. But remove Afrikaans from the anthem completely and I personally won't take it sitting down.

 

[Bryn]

I don't care if they throw it out, but it would be better just to pick a completely new anthem, just like they did with the flag.

SA has possibly the best anthem of any country. No way we should chuck it.

 

[JStrike]

Would be nice to have a new, English anthem

 

[Pitbull]

Would be nice to have a new, English anthem

Daai *** gaan nie gly nie...

 

[NarrowBandFtw]

Much a do about nothing. How often do you sing the anthem? Once a year?

When it was only 'Die Stem' and a source of actual pride in the country? Quite often actually.
Once it became a sad rendition of a religious song copied by many other nations that has sweet f-all to do with our nation? Less than once a year.

 

[saor]

Times have changed, I'm open to suggestions. But remove Afrikaans from the anthem completely and I personally won't take it sitting down.

What does it matter?
Language shmanguage.

 

[TheChamp]

And if he made this comment before the vote the DA would not be where they are right now would they. Bit of a hypocrite if u ask me

I don't see the hypocrisy, his comments were brought about by his party's talks with the EFF who are the ones who brought up the issue of dropping Die Stem from the national anthem.
The question of Die Stem did not arise for the DA or Maimane before the elections.