YCLSA condemns the mocking of the National anthem at rugby game (France Vs South Africa)

The Young Communist League of South Africa (uFasimba) condemns with the contempt it deserves the horrendous singing of our national anthem by Ras Dumisane at the South Africa vs France game in Toulouse, France this past Saturday. What concerns us more is that Ras Dumisane did not know the lyrics of the anthem, especially the English/Afrikaans version, and sang the entire anthem out of note creating a mockery of a song that is supposed to be the pride of our nation.

Ras Dumisane is a "chancer", a con-artist, a howler of note and a disgrace to our country and must be banned from singing the national anthem on official functions. We are particularly angry at the negligence of both the diplomatic offices of South Africa and France. We believe that whoever was responsible for this embarrassment should be brought to book, and that the French Rugby Federation should apologise to our nation for allowing Ras Dumisame to abuse Sontonga in such a way.

In light of the above, we call on the Department of Arts and Culture, together with the Department of International Relations and Co-operation to consolidate a list of accredited individuals and groups who can sing the anthem for official functions both nationally and internationally, so that we avoid such embarrassment especially as we prepare for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We also call on the Department of Education to introduce a programme of ensuring that children start learning the anthem from an early age, including mandatory singing at morning assemblies. As for Ras Dumisane, he must keep singing the anthem, but only in his shower.

Statement issued by Gugu Ndima, Young Communist League national spokesperson, November 16 2009

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