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Chris Moerdyk

Selling SA by singing anthem

2009-06-29 09:24

When it comes to the most passionate singing of the South African national anthem, the crowd at the Confederations Cup game between Bafana Bafana and Spain in Bloemfontein wins hands down.

They gave it stick for all they were worth. The predominantly black crowd sang as though their lives depended on it - including the Afrikaans and English bits.

Unlike the rugby and cricket crowds that only come into full voice when they come to the second part of the anthem, based on Die Stem.

I suppose the rugby and cricket crowds are a lot better now at the first part of the anthem than they were ten years ago, but they aren't quite there yet.

Certainly nowhere close to the way that Bloem soccer crowd performed.

I saw one woman dressed in the colours of our flag with her hands clasped together singing our anthem with tears streaming down her face.

My immediate thought was that someone should get that piece of TV footage and turn it into a commercial for South African tourism.

The way that sportsmen and women and their supporters sing a national anthem is a dead giveaway about how proud they are of their countries. And the prouder they are of their countries the more of a good impression it makes on people overseas who are potential tourists or investors. After all brand building is all about emotion.

Which brings me to the way the players sing the anthem.

Admittedly they're all nervous as heck before a big game but they could put a bit more effort into it. Some do and you can easily see the pride and passion on their faces but there are still a few who seem to be a bit embarrassed and shy about it all.

At least all our football and rugby players tend to at least try and sing. But our cricketers still need to try harder.

And I am still offended that there are still jerks like Jacques Kallis who stand there tight lipped and refuse to sing the anthem. I know Kallis explained some time ago why he didn't sing the anthem and that he wasn't being disrespectful - I can't remember what his excuse was and I don't care.

Because it's perception that counts not reality and the perception of anyone watching him will be that he doesn't give a stuff about his country or his sport and is just in it for the money.

Send your comments to Chris

Disclaimer: News24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24.

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frank 6/29/2009 9:44:35 AM
Its a pity they don't always sing the full anthem ;)

Donald 6/29/2009 9:51:41 AM
Couldn't agree more. Are the rugby/cricket supporters too bone idle to learn the words of our anthem?

Pod 6/29/2009 9:53:30 AM
Calling Kallis a jerk is a bit harsh when you don't know the reasoning behind it. Research it first you JERK!

Tshif 6/29/2009 10:01:24 AM
Well said...thank you.

godfrey 6/29/2009 10:13:00 AM
As you rightly said the way people sing their national anthems says a lot about how proud they are about their country, which says a lot about people who don't. It also says a lot about those who only sings the afrikaans part.

Lance 6/29/2009 10:16:42 AM
Agree that our national representatives need to give it horns when they can. I was at the Bloem game and man, it was the most inspirational experience I have had at a live sports fixture (have been to many & different codes). I do think that if I were a national representative tasked with the priviledge of singing my anthem in front of the country, I may squirm and just hold my voice. Ran the Comrades recently and just couldn't get the national anthem words out at the start - too emotional and I was not even representing my country...

suzie 6/29/2009 10:19:14 AM
I agree. I was so proud when they of them being the only team that know their anthem.

Dave CooP 6/29/2009 10:26:36 AM
Kallis didn't seem to give a real reason. He said: "It is my choice whether I sing or do not sing the anthem. I certainly do not have to explain my reasons to anyone, especially you. I do have good and valid personal reasons and I intend to keep it that way." (source: http://news.rediff.com/cricket/2006/dec/17kallis.htm)

ZWAI 6/29/2009 10:32:20 AM
POD, YOU JUST MAKE ME SICK AND I DOUBT VERY MUCH IF YOU ARE A SOUTH AFRICAN. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING NOTHING THAT COMES CLOSE AS EMOTIONAL AND EXCITING THAN SINGING NKOSI SIKELELA. AND THIS COLUMIST IS SPOT ON SOCCER FANS KNOW THE ANTHEM FROM A-Z. FOR THE RECORD, THERE IS NO VALID REASON NOT TO SING THE ANTHEM EXCEPT BEING FULL OR NEED I SAY FOOL OF RACIST TEACHINGS FROM HIS GRANDFATHER OFCOURSE

boela 6/29/2009 10:32:40 AM
Not even in parlement they sing all , Maybe thats why our country is in such a state , they have no Passion, as for the Soccer thats a lot of losers 1 out of 4 is below standards , for their spectators not singing all the Phrases , show a little heart, great win BOKS , that is how you show heart, and they did sing all the frases, as for the cricket, they are chokers in T20.

Ed 6/29/2009 10:33:00 AM
Mr Moerdyk. I agree with you that the Bloem crowd was extremely passionate- And I'm from Bloem. It does give you chills all over. I feel that comparing the amount of passion between sports like Soccer, Rugby and cricket is not totally fair. The type of fan differs - and I'm not talking about race here. Cricket is a much more sedate sport (gentleman's sport as they call it) than soccer or rugby. And I know T20 is supposed to have changed that- but it hasn't yet. It seems like you want to force people to raise their apparent enthusiasm so that people like you can judge whether they have passion for their country or not. That's rubbish. I learned Nkosi Sikele Afrika in Std 9. And mind you, I wasn't tought what the meaning of the words were. So how would people who weren't in school in 1994 learned the words (not in native tounge), not to speak about meaning of the words you're now singing. This all being said, I think people should just respect each other in this country and give each other room to express themselves. Not everyone who doesn't sing the national anthem with visable passion is negative or racists..

Luka 6/29/2009 10:44:50 AM
I dont think he is really a jerk. At the funerals I sometimes try to sing along but find the tune is too pinch and cannot follow. I brother once thought I wa ignorant. I told him that I could not follow the rhythm. Standing and not singing does not simply mean that one is ignorant, sometimes one find oneself not in the mood to do it. This sometimes caused by the thoughts about the way forward. Rugby followers must work hard to acquint themselves with the Anthem. I am thrilled because the younger Whites are slowly but getting there and eventully we will all get there.

Pod @ Zwai 6/29/2009 10:47:57 AM
I am a South African, and very proud of the Anthem, EVERY PART OF IT, and know EVERY PART OF IT. Majola said Kallis had explained his reasons for not singing the national anthem after it created a controversy in the local media and added that the all rounder would be allowed to remain silent during the singing of the national anthem.“Jacques has explained why he is silent during the singing of the anthem before international matches and his explanation is completely acceptable to Cricket South Africa,” Majola said.Jacques recently lost both his parents, and he was particularly close to his father who was his cricket mentor. They would often sing the anthem together, and his father was very proud of his son playing for South Africa. Believe what you want.

prometheus 6/29/2009 10:59:01 AM
Or perhaps the reason is a lot simpler. Most of the crowd probably just never learnt the words to Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika. Hell I was at school back in the 80's and cant even remember off-hand all the words to Die Stem. Watchign international rugby matches are the only chances I get at learning the new anthem's words and by now I've(sort of) got it down.

Making a mountain out of a molehill perhaps?

Jeff 6/29/2009 10:59:13 AM
I try my best at singing the "black" verses but I don't know what I'm singing or even what languages they are but I do sing them. The meaning of the words in the English verse gets me all fired up & excited. I suppose it is my fault for not educating myself but maybe the media or government or people complaining can help us out to teach us.

jonno 6/29/2009 11:07:35 AM
Correct me if I'm wrong...wasn't there some controversy at the opening of the Confed cup when only the first portion of the anthem was sung/played? Doesn't that send a message to us whities? As for lip-synching the anthem, my thoughts are much the same as on religion.....singing hymns in church/the anthem at the stadium doesn't make me a Christian/patriot any more than standing in a garage makes me a car....

MySA.com 6/29/2009 11:22:38 AM
We've got to love this country, there is more positve than negative. I think we must take advantage of what sport Boxing, Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, etc. brings to us and capitalise to build and move forward. I'm loving SA and her folks. Viva Mzansi Afrika

malcolm whitehead 6/29/2009 11:23:04 AM
have you watched the England Football team singing there National Anthem , and the Catholics that dont ........GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

Esther van Schalkwyk 6/29/2009 11:32:43 AM
Ed 6/29/2009 10:33:00 AM
I did not learn the anthem at school. 1994 was way after I finished my education. I made it my business to learn the words by heart on my own. In the early days the words were printed all over. I am a proud south African and the knot in my throat always forms during the singing of the anthem. It is so representative of our diversity. So no excuses, if I could make the effort, so can each and every sportsman representing our country!

turbo_superboss 6/29/2009 11:34:19 AM
I still don't know all the parts to the anthem and I doubt I ever will, its just an anthem. I prefer to contribute to society by paying my taxes and keeping within the law and making a meaningful contribution in my work. Simply singing an anthem doesn't really say much about how patriotic you are.

MLS 6/29/2009 11:54:54 AM
Not singing the national anthem does not automatically qualify one as unpatriotic or racist! Some people are just too self-concious to sing in public. I'm one of them. Jacques Kallis is not the only sportsman who does not sing the anthem. There are many others, of all races and from all countries. I agree with Ed's comments. Some people are just more restrained in public than others.

AJ 6/29/2009 12:01:43 PM
Of course selling SA should be the biggest priority of all of us, but in reality there are a million other things to solve first to improve our brand, than the national anthem. If you ask people for their reasons to come here you wont find the anthem on top of the list. Chris, I think your column's main point is to sow teh seeds of division for the usuals to get uptight about, but that is about it.

Brett 6/29/2009 12:03:22 PM
Columnist Chris raises a good point but in my view poorly executes it in the end. Let's not point fingers and blame people - why try cause hatred? All he does entice people to anger by segregating them and above all picks out a player who represents his country with pride in his every performance. The fact Jacques Kallis may not wish to sing at times is neither here nor there. Sometimes for some players it seems hear a passionate crowd sing allows them to take in the moment, gather themselves and remind them of how important and big an occasion it is to represent the country at highest level. If he were a supporter (which he will be when he retires), are you saying he would not sing along with the gusto? You bet he will! I sing my national anthem from A-Z with gusto and was luckily taught all the words at school so have a grasp of knowing them well and how things are pronounced and flow. We a passionate country and I do believe the anthem is important but lets ENCOURAGE others to want to join in and sing whether they players or not! Schools, public holidays and major national events are occasions when our anthem should always be played!

nai99 6/29/2009 12:17:57 PM
have to agree with u sir, attended the bafana game in bloen and it was so emotional and i had goose bumps all over....even the 'suits' were singing, u dont get to see that often...esp in hospitality suites!

Joe 6/29/2009 12:27:34 PM
Dear Boela it is a pity that you live in a world of delusion. Put half the money invested in Rugby and cricket development into soccer and then you can start to compare the different codes. I do agree that soccer still has some way to go, before it reaches the heights of Rugby (cricket still need to win a major trophy for the record). I have to agree with Ed that the representation (not race related) does differ and that people have different ways of expressing themselves. So let’s just leave it at that. Bravo to everyone (irrespective of the race/sport) who sings the anthem with pride. Do not threat or complain that others do not comply for we will become one of the greatest nations in the world. GO BAFANA/PROTEAS/BOKKE

Cape Town Kid 6/29/2009 12:46:48 PM
I wonder at what point will these fools admit that they are unpatriotic? But hey, Arficans in general and blacks in particular have always proved the point that we will BUILD this SOUTH AFRICA despite all these spoilers.The strength of our nation-hood lies amongst those who have the best interests of this country at heart! Chris, you have written a good article and I think you should expose this unbelievable behaviour of these fools and show how weak they are as SOUTH AFRICANS. Oh and by the way, MAJOLA may speak and apologise for those who want to be excused for unpatriotic behaviour but that does not make it right.

Flee 6/29/2009 12:50:42 PM
Yes I think that the singing of the anthem was amazing, and still say the Vuvu should be banned and that fans should sing Shosholoza etc instead... As a matter of interest, as a sportsperson myself, I battle to sing the anthem when attending a game or ceremony, as I get choked up, rather sing it in my head... so What Kallis does is maybe for his own blinking reasons.....

André Botha 6/29/2009 12:53:56 PM
Most of the supporters black/white, Afrikaans or English will sing the anthem but it is not something they learned at school and they don't know the words. Show it on the Big screen and I can assure you everyone will join in and eventually learn the words.

LG 6/29/2009 12:59:08 PM
I agree do your homework before making a comment like that about Jacques Kallis

Vicky John 6/29/2009 12:59:14 PM
Just wish that the national teams would shave and look like professionals -AND ALL sing the Anthem - like the hand on heart bit too.

Zandile 6/29/2009 1:33:45 PM
NEED I SAY FOOL OF RACIST TEACHINGS FROM HIS GRANDFATHER OFCOURSE - Now aren't you now being racist. Accusing his Grandfather to be a bad example or have such teachings cause of the colour of his skin. Come on now, how can you point a finger at someone when you are doing exactly the same, what proof do you have that his Grandfather was racist. I mean no disrespect to anyone, but I'm tired of people making excuses for their bad behaviour or civility in the name of racism or AA. Grow up, deal with life, that's what life is, hard, not a box of chocolates.

marco 6/29/2009 1:35:02 PM
I live in bloem and was in the stadium when we sang the anthem and it was incredible - The vibe in the stadium was the best in the country by far, Mexican waves, Celtic supporters doing the formations YOU CANT BEAT that in any sport. come to Bloemfontein in 2010 and see for yourself.

Sean 6/29/2009 1:37:35 PM
Ha. This is truely one of those "only in South Africa" columns! Players the world over stand silent during their national anthems, its not like we're talking about something that's completely taboo here. Sometimes I sit and wonder how "jerks" such as yourself are given the coverage you are given on this website. Maybe your own divisive comments should be observed as unpatriotic? After all you've just made sure you got the idiots on both sides of the racial divide arguing of something that is purely meaningless.

condy 6/29/2009 1:38:13 PM
singing national anthem is good thing to do @ any event where is required. yes it is important to all sounth africans to memorise it. my main concern is the vuvuselas while the antems are being singed. this is not on and as south africans need to respect others as they respect ours.

nigel 6/29/2009 1:45:39 PM
Gee guys I dont know - I love singing but i dont sing in Church ,even at weddings and funerals, cos i know i sing really badly and I sm considerate to those around me - Ok Ok so i am embarrases - lol

Ipod 6/29/2009 1:47:33 PM
Well said, Chris

GK 6/29/2009 1:52:04 PM
The question to Mr Moerdyk is: Can you and do you sing the national anthem? If not, you have no right to call someone else a "jerk" jerk.

Johan Lesch 6/29/2009 2:01:16 PM
I am a Proud South African white and proud why is soccer glorified beyond rugby why had the sprinbok emblem been moved to the right side of the jersey to make place for the national emblem the king protea. Whilst on the soccer jersey the protea is on the right and the safa symbol on the left. Talk about discrimination.

Ali 6/29/2009 2:24:31 PM
Full of weak generalisations.

007Boer 6/29/2009 2:34:38 PM
Why must we be forced to play nice in a country that would sooner see us taxed or shot to death.

Mart 6/29/2009 2:40:43 PM
As an English-speaking South African, I know all the words of our national anthem. I reckon if a big rugger-bugger can learn and sing the words, then there is no excuse for anyone else. It's just plain embarassing when everypone doesn't make the effort to learn and sing all the words. It inspires national pride and passion in the players when everyone gives it horns, so if we want to help our teams on the field, we can help them from the sidelines.

Anon 6/29/2009 2:48:30 PM
"I saw one woman dressed in the colours of our flag with her hands clasped together singing our anthem with tears streaming down her face" maybe she was praying to get back safely to her home in this crime infested country!!

Twilight @Jeff 6/29/2009 2:54:17 PM
you can find the meaning to the words @ www.myathem.co.za

VG 6/29/2009 2:59:16 PM
I think a lot of people have missed the point Chris was trying to make i.e. if you are an international sportsperson whose face is periodically flashed across millions of tv screens during the singing of the national anthem and you are not singing along or (even worse imo) mumbling and stumbling along, clearly not knowing all the words properly, the perception that is created is that you're not proud of your country or anthem ( if you haven't bothered to learn the words...15 years on then you are a disgrace)

"Because it's perception that counts not reality and the perception of anyone watching him will be that he doesn't give a stuff about his country or his sport and is just in it for the money".

Who cares if you're patriotic on the inside? who will know that but you? and as an international player,you're an ambassador for your country. If you're not seen to be proud, then others may draw the conclusion that you don't give a stuff.

Anne 6/29/2009 3:05:36 PM
While on the subject of anthems, it is high time South Africa had a new anthem instead of the mish-mash amalgamation of 2 songs. We have a new flag & a new coat of arms. We should have a brand new anthem so that we don't have a partial anthem the same as some other African countries and the other part being found offensive. I love our new flag, pity we don't have a single unified national anthem which belongs in the past.

Annie 6/29/2009 3:08:49 PM
I do not sing what I do not know or understand. I am guilty of only singing DIE STEM and I am proud of it.

Tumelo 6/29/2009 3:19:13 PM
Great article, well done and noted. I would like to debate the quota system for soccer as well. I believe I have sufficient points to support it, can you create a forum for this debate please?

Google It 6/29/2009 3:33:01 PM
Try the following links...it's really not that difficult : http://www.anc.org.za/misc/nkosi.html
http://www.anc.org.za/misc/anthem.html
http://www.elsid.co.za/anthem/index.html

zama 6/29/2009 3:59:47 PM
You dont know the Anthem because you dont wanna know it, not because the words are difficult and u cant pronounce them.

some of u stil have that old mentality.grow up and move with the times. your grandparents had their time forcing die Taal down our throats, now u gotta swallow ulimi lwethu.

SP 6/29/2009 4:07:18 PM
Kallis said that he doesnt sing the anthem since he lost his one of his loved ones, so it makes him to emotional to sing it. As a journo, would expect you to do just that little bit of research before you insult one of the greatest sportsman this country has ever produced. Will read your next column to see if you improve in that respect otherwise I think you have made a grave mistake here and have lost alot of readers.

Andries 6/29/2009 5:49:00 PM
Chris Moerdyk...watch out, someone might just moer(dyk) you. And you other bunch of small minded idiots (all of you patriotic "South-Africans") stop being so childish and get over yourselfs. Just because I dont speak Xhosa (or don't know ALL the words to the Anthem)does that make me a racist? Cape Town Kid, are you using TIK....?

Proud 6/29/2009 7:26:14 PM
I remember having to sing the FULL national anthem every week at school. I love the fact that people look shocked when me a english whitey can sing the whole anthem through.... thanks school I'm one up on most and damn proud of my anthem!!!!

Recato Eberwein 6/29/2009 9:13:18 PM
I was amongst the crowd at Mangaung and I could only shed tears on the National Flag that day. The most brilliant anthem of them all.

HJ 6/29/2009 10:46:37 PM
I'm a supporter of the Springboks and sing the National Anthem of South Africa "uit volle bors" at every game althouth Namibian. Even Nkosi Sekelil iAfrika is well known - learned at school in South West Africa during 60's. Singing creates proud and should be promoted

Elizabeth 6/30/2009 4:49:08 AM
Godfrey: What does it say about those refusing to sing the Afrikaans & English part?
Luka: yeah we are getting there, and hopefully the younger blacks will get there too. Why is it that people must always bring race into something? Don't you get tired of that? Try something new. Research other countries' news websites. Racism occurs far less there. Is racism really that much fun? Listen to Zandile..... I agree there!

BLACKsoWHAT!@ ANNIE 6/30/2009 8:12:25 AM
I guess it would make life easier for you, if "'nkosi sikeleli" was cut out from your lily white DIE STEM, i honestly would not mind that move because i F*****n hate Die stem.

Werner 6/30/2009 8:21:06 AM
Some people are so "proud" of their country that they die for it while their leaders sit in a cosy office. I'll never be a patriot for my country. It doesn't matter where I live or where I was born. I just want to live my life the way I want to.

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