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Anthem fiasco: Have your say

2009-11-16 08:16

Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African rugby union, has sent a letter of complaint to the French rugby union regarding the version of the South African anthem performed on Friday evening, ahead of the match between the two countries in Toulouse, France.

Dumisani Ras, the singer the Springboks accused of butchering the anthem before the 20-13 Test match defeat to France, told AFP on Saturday that he thought he had "sung beautifully".

By Monday morning however, Ras apologised to listeners of 702 Talk Radio for his performance, blaming an old microphone and monitor for the fiasco.

What's your take on 'Anthemgate'? Watch the video and tell us if you're irie or irate over his performance.



And do you think it even comes close to Roseanne Barr's infamous butchering of the American anthem in 1990?


Disclaimer: The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.

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Comment on this story


The Truth 11/16/2009 8:25:36 AM
Funny

Justin 11/16/2009 8:28:33 AM
That was an absolute disgrace and total sign of disrespect. Do the French not know the difference between South Africa and Jamaica? It was made worse by the fact that they get a 3 piece reggae band with some bong drums to sing our anthem and then the French anthem is sung by a 30 piece orchestra with a professional singer. I'm just disappointed that Bakkies didn't punish them enough for their disrespect...

Macburn 11/16/2009 8:29:38 AM
While I agree the anthem was butchered, I don't think its such a big deal. Patriotism to the level displayed by people that claim to have been so deeply insulted by the poor rendition of the anthem has no real place in the modern world anymore. It just fosters a further "us against them" mentality. I am a bok supporter, a Bulls supporter. I am also a South African, but I am more a patriot of earth than a patriotic South African. Drop the righteous indignation and the perceived "insult" of a poorly performed anthem. Its really not that serious.

CONCERNED 11/16/2009 8:30:12 AM
Make Rugby look bad, take attention away from Cheuene and Athletics. It was arranged.

inyoka 11/16/2009 8:32:23 AM
He should be shot at sunrise! The SA gov should launch an investigation into how the Frogs could have allowed for our anthem to be desecrated in such a manner!
An absolute disgrace to every South African!
There are too many accusations and counter accusations as to who is responsible, well who ever should be shot with this idiot! Viva Nkosi Sikeleli Afrika Viva!

Love Africa 11/16/2009 8:32:34 AM
Anthemgate "This isn't america and this isn't a coverup!"
To be honest the Anthem was a mess but not the end of the world. I wanted to watch rugby not listen the anthem.
The French played well and overall deserved the win. That is sport I don't think any of this needs to go further.

The wheel will turn... 11/16/2009 8:34:22 AM
Payback's a bitch. We might not stoop so low to get a rubbish singer for them next time we meet, but we'll have this to remember them by. Can't wait for that match !

Wees 11/16/2009 8:34:41 AM
Idiot!!!

Stryker 11/16/2009 8:37:56 AM
Not that it made the slightest difference to a pretty ordinary performance by the Bokke, but if we are to be honest the standards associated with pretty much anything South African has deteriorated - I guess its something we just have to get used to.

@Macburn 11/16/2009 8:38:06 AM
Grow a spine you loser. Stop sitting on the fence. It is was totally disrespectful. What would happen if we had someone sing the french anthem like an idiot.

Ryno 11/16/2009 8:38:23 AM
SHOCKING!!!!

dirk 11/16/2009 8:39:55 AM
Not funny at all, shocking! So far the best performer singing the anthem was Kurt Darren, clear and harmonious.

Sam 11/16/2009 8:40:05 AM
The singing was dreadful but highly amusing. Theres much bigger issues in the world than this

SUPPORTER @ CONCERNED 11/16/2009 8:41:58 AM
I agree as the guy with the old mic and monitor was apparently appointed by our embassy in France to sing the anthem.

Steev 11/16/2009 8:42:14 AM
I don't care about individual's take on where they sit philosophically in this unviverse. The fact at hand is that apon receiving a short-list from the SA embassy the french sought to choose the worst. They will have auditioned, and as a reasonable person you cannot for a second tell me this sounded the best to their ears. He's no beter than a street basker holding a cap.

John 11/16/2009 8:42:35 AM
Ha ha! Man that was some funny stuff! I was crying with laughter! Got to the pub too late to see the anthems so only checked it now. Come on, its not such a big deal - lighten up! If you want to see something really funny look up the pop idols losers singing "simply the best" at a soccer match (youtube). I reckon we should get one of them to sing the frog anthem next time theyre here! ha ha!

Not Surprised 11/16/2009 8:45:03 AM
This is what happens when you dont get the best person for the job!

Sean 11/16/2009 8:48:09 AM
typical SA, looking for excuses after losing to a passionate French team... sad..

Bridgit 11/16/2009 8:51:00 AM
I was completely shocked, in fact I had no idea what was the right way to re-act in the beginning. The more it carried on the more embarrassing it was. No wonder we lost as it certainly did not inspire me at all.

terence 11/16/2009 8:54:42 AM
you people are seriously screwed up if you think that is not a big deal, speak to any of the players and they will tell you the anthem is all part of the pre match Psyching up.if the anthem is sang like a joke it totally deflates the players motivation and if you ask me the spring boks lacked motivation.the southern hemisphere teams like new zealand and australia take their anthems serious can you imagine this rasta guy sang asutralias anthem like that it would be a total disgrace but because it is a south african anthem you say it is not all that bad?you people need to get your heads checked really

SimonP 11/16/2009 8:58:34 AM
Diabolical

GJW 11/16/2009 9:00:27 AM
Just another incident designed to piss of those that understand the meaning of patriotism, similar to the last time the Afrikaans & English versions were cut short "by mistake". These small iritating incidents have been happening for years orchestrated by those that plan them intentionally to slowly but gradually get under your skin until you have had enough and .....in some cases say WTF and leave. I say it is about time we fought back!!!

Mike 11/16/2009 9:00:36 AM
I was under the impression that the Boks take their own singers to their test matches. This guy is from Durban . How did he get to France and back. You can't tell me the French organise a singer from South Africa? Someone in South Africa must be to blame...

Jonno 11/16/2009 9:00:55 AM
@Macburn So do you think it would be better if we rather didnt have the Anthems before International Tests?

50/50 11/16/2009 9:05:42 AM
Absolute disgrace. You respect your country's anthem. The Anthem in everything before a match - the pride and passion one feels, in particular when I have been abroad. Prior to the match, I was saying to all and sundry I would have hoped to be abroad in a pub with all the other Saffas to watch the game, get goosebumps prior to a tough contest. Hell, I walked away from the TV in my own home. And was glad I wasnt in public, especially abroad. Such an embaracement. It is a big deal to me.

SeanVD 11/16/2009 9:05:54 AM
Justin.....Big man bakkies had no time to punish them, he has crying like a baby after the first 10 minutes.

Fred 11/16/2009 9:05:57 AM
Did they even have auditions before deciding on this idiot?

Optimist 11/16/2009 9:07:06 AM
Free publicity for SA and the Boks on Youtube! It sucks, but people are laughing at the Rasta, not at SA.

Allan 11/16/2009 9:07:56 AM
I saw this yesterday on Facebook.

Shocking is the ONLY way to describe this... What an embarrassment!!!

Wonder 11/16/2009 9:11:08 AM
This should once and for all proof that dagga is NOT good for you.

Webb 11/16/2009 9:11:54 AM
The RSA embassy in France supplied the French with a list of canditates to perform the task. Did the South African representatives in France screen the canditates before submitting these "artists" to the French?

Peter 11/16/2009 9:12:22 AM
If ever an anthem was publicly raped, it was Friday night. The contrast to the French rendition made it even more blatantly offensive. The French wanted to take on the world and we wanted to hide from it. We call for justice and should not rest till someone's head rolls.

Gman 11/16/2009 9:13:35 AM
The problem was he was committed to doing it and he couldnt just stop and say "sorry guys,I cant hear myself" Having said that, he is a reggae singer and clearly not suited to that style, when he was speaking on 702 he actually sounded Jamaican and he's clearly a Rasta Mon at heart.

francois 11/16/2009 9:14:28 AM
why does evything need to be shocking ?? it was very very funny !!

Ian 11/16/2009 9:14:40 AM
That is not the SA anthem anyways...its the ANC song being paraded as the Anthem......SO it got what the rest fot he world thinks it deserves.......butchery to match a once pround country now being butcherd into being the nightcart of Africa if not the world.....Way to GO ANC.......

Johanna 11/16/2009 9:19:24 AM
I think the guy was just trying to do some re-mix to the song, nothing serious though just another "version" so to say.

GeePMB 11/16/2009 9:19:45 AM
Apparently it was the SA embassy that sent the list of names of performers to the French rugby union in the first place, they then chose the reggae dude. Clearly there were no auditions done! It does show however, that even with our multitude of internal problems, that South Africans ARE patriotic and demand respect for our anthem!

LISTEN 11/16/2009 9:20:50 AM
The French did not choose that singer, the South African embassy in France selected him. Stop blaming the french for the mistake our incompetent government made again!

Macburn @Terence 11/16/2009 9:21:10 AM
We must have the most mentally fragile team in the world if all it takes to deflate them is a poorly performed anthem. Come now Terence. That's just insulting to the boks. The boks are tired after a long year. They played badly. The French are psyched for the start of their international season. They played well. The anthem had nothing to do with it.

AZB 11/16/2009 9:22:21 AM
The French Rugby Union AND the SA Embassy must apologise to the people of SA.
Then we move on and forget it. :)

Shawn 11/16/2009 9:25:12 AM
yoh!!no excuses for losing the match, but being a singer and singing in a different key from the music??ag nee man!even with bad monitors and bad mikes, you should at least sing in tune.. if you have bad ears you shouldnt be a singer

Gys 11/16/2009 9:25:19 AM
How PATHETIC! Goodness gracious - a person not knowing the anthem and being chosen to sing it at a world class event. TYPICAL South Africa GAVAMENT! I wonder how the Soccer 2010 will sound...muhahahaha!

oops 11/16/2009 9:26:37 AM
I think Lucky Doobie lost the plot completely...

kamst 11/16/2009 9:26:45 AM
He was stoned out of his mind.

Player 23 11/16/2009 9:29:36 AM
PATHETIC!! It also sums up the way this country is run. They think they can but....

Pleb 11/16/2009 9:30:27 AM
Nothing short of totally pathetic ! In line with the state of the country

Mr Anderson 11/16/2009 9:31:31 AM
Let's not blame the French here. We need to do a quality check on performers of the National anthem. We truly looked like a third world country when we have amateurs like that representing our country.

veebot 11/16/2009 9:32:10 AM
lol@kamst..agreed! this guys should'v just sang buffalo soldiers...hahahaha

Tenokuhle 11/16/2009 9:32:39 AM
The stupid Ras should stay in France and never come to SA. We lost because of his stupid, barbaric, idle, singing of our national anthem. What a shame!

Chucky 11/16/2009 9:33:07 AM
The French will deny it, but it was part of their psychological onslaught. Well played, monsieur. @MACBURN: your attitude is a manifestation of the culture of mediocrity that is so prevalent in SA. You are a LOSER, buddy.

DWet 11/16/2009 9:35:51 AM
Pathetic....... What an embarrassment !!!

Hertz78 11/16/2009 9:37:58 AM
That was the worst version of our National Anthem…EVER!

As payback, our guys should have given the French a beating, just because, but they did not, and that was just as big a letdown as the anthem. Twelve years, has become thirteen years!


John 11/16/2009 9:38:37 AM
are the days of getting WORLD RENOWNED TALENT like Mimi Coertze to open games like this! PLEASE Choose me for the next opening... I speak Zulu deliciously! EISH!

Johan 11/16/2009 9:39:30 AM
It is to be expected with the CLOWNS at the Embassy who supplied names without knowing if they could even sing !!!

Sury 11/16/2009 9:39:52 AM
It was a terrible rendition of our national anthem. Honestly, that idiot should not be allowed near a mike.

codegreen 11/16/2009 9:42:04 AM
Eish! yoh yoh

GT 11/16/2009 9:44:04 AM
This man has NO respect for our national anthem. As an "artist", he displayed a shocking LACK OF ANY MUSICAL TALENT WHATSOEVER !!!

Please DON'T get this fool to sing at the Football world cup next year !!!

viljoen 11/16/2009 9:46:20 AM
I personally think that the Rasta man got it spot on and is representative of the new South Africa today. He probably stole something just to give it that true SA feel to it

Lele 11/16/2009 9:46:28 AM
Guys, lets loosen up and laugh at our selves for a change!!

Andi 11/16/2009 9:51:22 AM
oh what a disgrace. I think him and the lady who butchered the US athem a while back would make a perfect duo, except next time they should keep their singing to themselves.

Beno 11/16/2009 9:51:26 AM
All of a sudden 'Advance Australia Fair' sounds very good..........

Mike 11/16/2009 9:53:09 AM
The singing was as bad as the play of the Boks - simply awful.

AJ @ Stop blaming the French 11/16/2009 9:53:53 AM
An even cursory glance at a number of articles would have told you that the SA Diplomatic guys are tasked with getting a rsource to do the anthem. This has nothing to do with France, the French, the Eiffel Tower or creme broulee. SA Embassy staff stuffed this up.

jimmy 11/16/2009 9:54:13 AM
Funniest thing I have ever seen--its a ridiculous anthem anyway-time to change it!!

Frank 11/16/2009 9:55:59 AM
it was excellent, you muppets just dont appreciate a good artist when you see one!!!, blame the anthem singer, blame the ref, blame the government, blame Div, what a bunch of whingeing losers, SA got squarely thumped by the French all over the park and all you can do is cry about the anthem singer, just like Graeme Smith moaning about the Aussies calling him names, get ur nappies changed and grow up.

anon 11/16/2009 9:58:09 AM
....bloody primitive.

Expat 11/16/2009 9:58:19 AM
Who cares, SA is a laughing stock throughout the world for more than just it's dimwit anthem

Geoff 11/16/2009 9:59:08 AM
I am sick and tired of people always finding a way to politisize everything. This was a disgrace of diplomatic proportions. The SA embassy only supplied the names. The French were supposed to screen the talent and choose the best one. But some of the racist whites here believe everything is the fault of the government. You steal money at work and get fired and some how it's the governments fault. This was no joke people. An anthem is something very sacred to every country.
If you cannot be patriotic then truly you don't belong. Vat jou goed en trek Ferreira!!!

HoHo 11/16/2009 10:00:39 AM
Really funny. Lighten up, there are worse things to get upset about.

Leon 11/16/2009 10:02:37 AM
Well done. That's the corect way to sing a useless anthem.

Leon 11/16/2009 10:03:42 AM
The anthem, like the national flag, are symbols of who we are as a nation, disrespect to either is a shame, clearly this artist doesn't really respect our nation (& he's a South African!) what an aweful embarresment - some one should have tackled him & shut him up quickly!

revaro 11/16/2009 10:04:02 AM
they did it on purpose to influence sa*s performance psycologicly

Nick 11/16/2009 10:04:14 AM
Typical, the French always ask the embassy of the side they are playing to suggest the anthem singer. Our goons at the SA Embassy in France suggested this reggae artist and now they want to shift the blame to the French.

Typical SA polititians as per usual, not being prepared to accept the responsibility for something they made a decision on.

EISH BABA!

lenebelle 11/16/2009 10:05:54 AM
the boks should have walked of the field

Fred 11/16/2009 10:08:08 AM
What a joke!

xxx 11/16/2009 10:10:08 AM
Funny how they did not slip up with the anthems when it was the world cup. So what went wrong, maybe this guy was the cheapest they could find in the resession. How about we also make them feel welcome when they play on our grounds.

FJV 11/16/2009 10:10:43 AM
I don't know how we can blame the embassy or the French. The guy clearly knew the words, he just couldn't sing, easy as that.

Tman 11/16/2009 10:12:42 AM
That was the worst rendition of our anthem ever, it is like a slap in the face for the democracy of SA as the Anthem is representative of all of the people of SA, The French government should apologise and we in turn should insult them in the same fashion when they next come here.

ARIES 11/16/2009 10:13:35 AM
Who are SA going to blame when they lose against Italy? Half those players don't know the whole anthem anyway.

LJB 11/16/2009 10:14:58 AM
Good laugh. Should definately get him to sing the National anthem when Bafana Bafana play their opening match in the 2010 world cup

mr b 11/16/2009 10:15:41 AM
Don't fall for it SA... SARU are trying to divert attention away from a seriously poor Bok performance!

Cape Town 11/16/2009 10:15:50 AM
It was a disgrace, is this what we are coming to? It is no joke at all, he didn't even get the note? Even I can sing better in the shower than him (AND I AM NO SINGER AT ALL), now he is blaming it on technical difficulties?? What technical difficulties, did he think they are going to put in a CD and he can just open his mouth without singing. Did you see how uncomfortable the whole springbok team were?

jason 11/16/2009 10:16:42 AM
Whoever is responsible should issue an explanation as well as an apology.

BEYONCE 11/16/2009 10:23:58 AM
..It was a Mess,but The Singer cannot be hold accountable for it,it could be that he was not informed on time,NOBODY wishes to mess his national anthem ,DUH he didn't plan it,and besides this is not such a big issue,and investigating this will be a waste of breath...

Maso 11/16/2009 10:24:02 AM
I'm sure this man must have been smoking dagga before the game

Extremely poor taste 11/16/2009 10:24:34 AM
What happened on Friday night was disgusting and extremely bad from the FRU. The IRB should take them to task and fine them heavily. No-one makes a mockery of any anthem whatsoever. I was shocked, disgusted and extremely annoyed when I heard it. Nulify the test result from IRB records and ban France from the next World Cup in New Zealand - No-one, but no-one will ever make that mistake again. SHOCKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dirk 11/16/2009 10:24:43 AM
I think it was done on purpose

Ice 11/16/2009 10:25:43 AM
What is done is done, why make such a big issue out of this, Yes it's our Anthem but you cant change what happened, more important issues in SA to worry about.

Armas Shivute 11/16/2009 10:26:08 AM
Eish this guy was damn high.. How can he be so disrepectful of the country and Africa like that? If he was in Namibia I was going to make sure he get a painful clap in his face, more painful than the one he made the people of the nation feel. You can see in the faces of the players that they could walk uo to him and grab the mike at anytime... He shud stop smoking.

Zirrel 11/16/2009 10:26:11 AM
Good bucks for the Rasta and friends at the embassy

aswat 11/16/2009 10:27:36 AM
I Think he smoked one too many joint..absolute rubbishh.

POST MY COMMENTS PLEASE 11/16/2009 10:30:17 AM
Good morning everybody,
Oh God is all I could say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shells 11/16/2009 10:30:56 AM
bwahahaha that was funny!
Maybe if we only had ONE language in our anthem the guy could have learnt it easier and made a good job of singing it! Don't blame him when there's so many languages in a song, it's laughable and ridiculous!

IandI 11/16/2009 10:32:07 AM
I like reggae and the national anthem, but THAT rendition was NOT irie, mon!

Sim 11/16/2009 10:32:09 AM
absolutely ridiculous.the French showed no respect for the South African anthem by letting dread man sing it. who approved such nonsense???!

CTheB 11/16/2009 10:32:12 AM
While I do subscribe to the notion that we take patriotism way too far (really, someone singing the national anthem is a personal insult or something?), this is clearly a case of white imperialists trying to do down black South Africans. It's racism at its finest and I expect Julius will be on the case forthwith.

I heard the "singer" on the radio, vehemently defending his ability to sing and then demonstrating that he can't. Yes, it was a distorted line, but it doesn't take a finely tuned ear to detect that the guy can't carry a tune and doesn't understand that breaths are taken between lines, not willy nilly whenever one suddenly discovers one is out of air.

Roland 11/16/2009 10:33:18 AM
Let's loook at the postive rather than the negative. Many people from SA have come out united in defence of "our" anthem. This is a change, as few of us feel the same way about "our" president (JZ) and hais band of mamparra's. Condemnation has come from all colours and all political spectrum's. Take note Juju - the whiteys are also standing behind "our" anthem.

Shamsham 11/16/2009 10:33:32 AM
Hilarious! Well done ASA, Dumisani Ras, event organisers and all concerned. Now THIS is entertainment.
Thanks for the laughs. I needed it.

Oom Piet 11/16/2009 10:34:31 AM
South Africans are such bad losers. Lose the game and blame it on Ras Dumisani. I doubt that so much hoolabaloo would have followed had we won. Get a life people

SA's Got Talent??????? 11/16/2009 10:35:06 AM
It is so difficult to give my honest opinion and not sound like a racist. SA became an even bigger joke in the eyes of the world!! I rest my case. Poor Bokke to start of on such a NOTE!!!!!!!

ET 11/16/2009 10:43:44 AM
OMG, what a complete idiot, he made a fool of our beautiful anthem, our flag and our rugby team. He must have a family member working at the embassy to be allowed to do this. the person who hired him must be fired, right away. I feel so angry!

Joe 11/16/2009 10:44:15 AM
Where did they dig up this has been looser??? All I can say is that someone should have used a sniper rifle to rid us of this idiot.

singer 11/16/2009 10:45:09 AM
We should see the funny side...but make sure that the muppett never sings aagin and dont pay him for a job not so well done.
Did anyone see that retard kid kick the ball from the halfway line, slip fall and injure himself shortly afterwards? Ha ha comdedy of errors, including the Boks performance.

Nelly 11/16/2009 10:46:42 AM
Banana Singer chosen by people from the Banana Republic.Makes sense.

sifiso 11/16/2009 10:50:40 AM
Simply awful indeed. I hope this guy doesn't sing in the up coming World Cup next year.

Al 11/16/2009 10:51:11 AM
I saw the above on facebook, and was ashamed. What a bunch of idiots. And to think that they were representing our country. Wow.

Dave The Rave 11/16/2009 10:53:47 AM
What an absolute disgrace. I think that this had a major influence on the performance of the Boks.I do not know what nationalitythe rasta is but if any of the S.A. management approved this guy they should be fired on the spot.

Simon 11/16/2009 10:54:33 AM
There is only one way to do a National Anthem in my opinion. Lose the singers let the crowd do the singing and use a military band, military musicians play the music in front of them and dont mess around.

Maggie 11/16/2009 10:54:40 AM
Habana you should have just laughfed i did so much that i wonder how you managed to hold it. I think it was good medicine for a tough match

Candz 11/16/2009 10:56:23 AM
I think it was absolutely pathetic. I was embarassed to be a South African friday night. But nothing more or less you can expect from SA. The anthem does get the boks ready for the game. And if I had to play a game after that I definatley wouldnt put my heart and soul into it either. I hope actually they do get that guy to sing at the soccer world cup next year, why should rugby get the embarrasement of that!! Oh gee the soccer is going to be a joke!!

Bridget 11/16/2009 10:56:56 AM
He sounded like one of the losers that auditioned for SA's Got Talent - one that got 3 buzzes and your out. He was awful and it was a complete embarrasment. He should be ashamed of himself - didn't even sing in time to the music or know the words.

Shocked 11/16/2009 10:57:12 AM
"Pateties verby!!!" - fire the man who hired him!

zam 11/16/2009 10:58:23 AM
a very unpatriotic and disrespectful display by that gentleman Dumisani.Who chose him and why?

Disgraced Saffa 11/16/2009 10:59:22 AM
Disgraceful. You cannot blame the French, but when any country hosts another country, it is their responsibility for the organisation of the test match, including the anthems.
This was a test match broadcast all over the world and their must be repercussions for this slap in the face, and embarrassment to the game, SHOCKING!!!!
Can you imagine the uproar if that was 'GOD SAVE THE QUEEN'

Leon 11/16/2009 11:00:10 AM
Where is Mr Malema on this one, or is it OK cause he is a comrade? I just wonder if one of the non comrades had done this, how much noise he would have made? But then again, maybe Mr Malema thought is was a great rendition LOL.

fraud 11/16/2009 11:00:37 AM
i haven't laughed that hard in a long time! now i know why we lost!

Mike 11/16/2009 11:01:15 AM
Can't wait to hear Malema's reaction to this farce. Sure he will blame it on apartheid and the French government.

Prez 11/16/2009 11:03:28 AM
Was a laugh..besides, our National Anthem is a JOKE! its too long and in different languages, makes it a disaster. If its our countries Anthem, we should have had a South African Who COULD sing not a Reggae Singer who was chosen out of "Colour"
Its just showing the world how POLITICS are ruining our image. ASA and now this, way to go Government..Viva viva!!

Sean Verster 11/16/2009 11:03:46 AM
Ha ha ha! Multiculturalism at it's finest. I didn't think you could make a stupid, childish anthem that sounds like inky dinky spider sound worse.

Andre 11/16/2009 11:05:05 AM
I see the Boks say they lost because of "a lack of intensity". Well then I just want to say is it not just as unpatriotic to go on the field and represent your country without the necessary "intensity". So for me the the way this bloke sang and the way the Boks played were in complete harmony.

Twisted 11/16/2009 11:05:27 AM
Macburn is right and those that watch sport for any other reason than enjoyment are idiots.
The same applies to the national anthem. It really isn't important.

Chelle 11/16/2009 11:06:25 AM
Shocking shocking, that would be enough to dampen moral in any squad - pathetic. Even the players were shattered!!

Bonny 11/16/2009 11:06:57 AM
Worse than the singing were the looks on the faces of the Bokke. The boys were not impressed. The singing was pretty much below standard like the entire game actually.
I do believe that we will see gremlins like this creeping into our rugby.
I have to say that Roseanne's fiasco is pretty priceless..ours could have been worse.

Robot 11/16/2009 11:07:00 AM
Just another case of where Government (SA Embassy in France) has a hand in things, it is bound to be chaotic!

Estelle Albertyn 11/16/2009 11:09:14 AM
Ha ha ha ha it was the biggest joke ever...but I guess nothing surprises me by now...what is next on the menu of disgrace towards all South Africans.....

Biza 11/16/2009 11:11:49 AM
A agree with francois...lighten up okes. When I read Ras' interview, I laughed so much my tummy ached...I think he was still stoned when he was interviewed

Ernst 11/16/2009 11:13:15 AM
It was an ABSOLUTE DISGRACE. Whilst it's supposed to fire up the team, the opposite's happened: humiliation in front of the whole rugby world; being laughed at openly right there in the stadium. No wonder we lost. I'm still livid, especially as per usual, it's NOBODY'S fault! I can only marvel at the level of INCOMPETENCE AND IGNORANCE.

Jealousy 11/16/2009 11:14:37 AM
Our boys are doing well in rugby,so these organisers had to find something to spoil their status.Shame on them and their "artist"

The cheeze moved... 11/16/2009 11:20:40 AM
Someone in the RSA embassy will probably be promoted for this, keep an eye out for whose suddenly driving a new 7 series. If this same person stuffs up a few more times then he is getting his failure credentials ready for the presidents office...

James1 11/16/2009 11:28:10 AM
The guy can't sing well enough. What an embarrassment for South Africa. This guy should never be allowed to sing the anthem again ever.

JD@Mike 11/16/2009 11:40:10 AM
This guy is originally from Durban but he now lives in Paris and make music if you can call it that there, feel sorry for the French with artists like him, then again by calling him an artist it is an insult to the real artists out there.

But for all those people that want want to legalise Dagga I think on Friday Night you can see why it should stay a banned substance.

Bekfluitjie 11/16/2009 11:40:33 AM
Wait, when the French tour to SA again, we'll organise a boerseun with a bekfluitjie to play the Marselleuise, and see how the bloody well like it...

Hentie 11/16/2009 11:41:48 AM
Let us get over it,but next time they come here we should use Pieter de Villiers to sing THEIR anthem...!

TheShadow3005 11/16/2009 11:43:36 AM
The Thought That We Actually Spend Money On These CLOWNS Sickens Me!

cj 11/16/2009 11:44:21 AM
Hysterical - LOVED the drummers and their outfits!! Even funnier is all the righteous indignation... so he cocked up the anthem, so what? Made my day, haven't laughed so much in ages - thanks Ras!!

Adrian 11/16/2009 11:45:16 AM
I am a Namibian ,but bok supporter this was not easy to watch, John Smit should have walked over to the dude and ask him to stop, and let the crowd and band take it further. BAD mistake by FRI

Lee 11/16/2009 11:46:51 AM
It most certainly was disrespectful to South Africa and South Africans but in the same vain we cannot fault the singing for our performance... If that were the case then every team playing us would be singing during the game and therefore disrupting our game plan. These chaps are professionals and should not allow something like this to get to them...

devon palavar 11/16/2009 11:49:24 AM
its a BEE thing

justin 11/16/2009 11:50:35 AM
I thought the embassies did the artist for the song? how did they approve this bloke?

esaybee 11/16/2009 11:52:05 AM
I'm not even from South Africa and I was appalled!

itwasntthatbad 11/16/2009 11:55:15 AM
So much for bad hero Bakkies Botha , so much for tough guy Bakkies . Those frog lovers really gave that bakkies(is that the wimp`s real name) a good shove around . Enforcer my foot .
As for Rasta , who cares , Rasta wanted money for a few joints with those white rastas of his and weed is very expensive in europe .

Mark 11/16/2009 11:58:54 AM
Disgusting!!!!

@Macburn 11/16/2009 11:59:27 AM
i understand where you are coming from but only to a certain extent. The thing is, we need to maintain standards. That was a poor performance, objectively speaking, and shouldn't really be tolerated in this context.

Furious 11/16/2009 11:59:32 AM
That was a disgrace! I wish you're career comes to an end because of this! You're absolutely revolting!

TB 11/16/2009 12:00:07 PM
Can't believe that Roseanne Barr could be worse - but she was. Think we should get Dumisani to do the opening game anthem for the soccer 2010!!! yeah yeah yeah man.

Dell 11/16/2009 12:03:38 PM
What a disgrace that anybody would consider sabotaging a teams sacred National Anthem which they themselves chose to accept as a United South Africa under our rainbow nation. Not only did the man not know the words but he was completely tone deaf. Whoever was responsible for hiring him to "perform" "anything"??? should be held to court. It is truly sad when competing teams have to stoop so low.

NORMAN 11/16/2009 12:04:49 PM
I agree with LJB,our Rugga RUSTA must do the opening ceromony at the 2010 World cup,that way all our opposition will be on the floor laughing there socks off and maybe just maybe our boys might be able to score!

Ah beg yaws... 11/16/2009 12:06:07 PM
Now I know who stole my stash...

crees 11/16/2009 12:07:10 PM
pretty bad version of our anthem. but i look forward to a well-sung reggae version of the anthem. irie

Talitha 11/16/2009 12:08:28 PM
An artist? Oh my word! !
Can sing better than him. thats for sure

Angus 11/16/2009 12:09:50 PM
I think it was disgusting - the person and the song.

@Ian 11/16/2009 12:11:40 PM
our anthem is not an ANC song by the way. look it up.

SAMAN 11/16/2009 12:11:52 PM
Well, thats probably the best we are going to see for years to come. Watch him perform at the 2010 opening with ZOL in hand!!

Joeburg Joe 11/16/2009 12:21:00 PM
I'm still laughing about it today and probably for the rest of the week...

especially some of the players faces when he's singing, PRICLESS!

Disgusted 11/16/2009 12:26:35 PM
It's shocking and disgusting and insulting. There was no respect shown. He should be banned for singing again, who wants to listen to his croaking voice!

Niel 11/16/2009 12:26:43 PM
It was hillarious! Those who take it all serious should take their thumbs out of their butts

Very White 11/16/2009 12:27:11 PM
Hhahahahahaha I dont give a shit I hate this rubbish country anyway!I do think the singing represents the ANC's country perfectly though.

Colfree 11/16/2009 12:28:03 PM
I think this is so embarrising for France. They think Africa is a continent of rastafarians.

ishot the sherrif 11/16/2009 12:33:37 PM
"Hey mon! beats lyin around streets of Paris banging my drum for all de tourists. de money was good anyway. Nobody said i had to sing properly! besides da soccer game was good i tink!"

JORELDA 11/16/2009 12:34:49 PM
EK HET LANKLAAS SO LEKKER GELAG!!!!
MY MONDAY BLUES JUST DRIFTED AWAY.

Warren 11/16/2009 12:40:00 PM
Politicians should not be allowed to make the decision as to who sings ... it should be SARU. You could see in the players faces and body language that they were embarrased!

Spike 11/16/2009 12:40:31 PM
You know when you climb in the shower and you think you can sing .... it is proven! We all sing as beautifully as Dumisani

Thavha 11/16/2009 12:43:40 PM
Um...anthems and flags are important to the country. If you dont think so and think SA is a joke then what are you still doing here? No offence, but if you still in SA and moaning about it and saying it is a joke, you should maybe look to a country you can be proud of. Your choice. If you have issues with the many languages, then what language do you suggest?

With regards with who is to blame, can we at least get an official statement telling us what the process is to choose an anthem singer then we can start pointing fingers. If the process really is Embassy shortlists, French choose,rasta sings...then all three are to blame. This guys should not have made it through the Embassy shortlist, the standard was too shocking. The French with knowledge and wisdom applied should not have chosen this guy (I personally think they did and it was part of a mental play on the boks and also a "stuff" you SA...mind my words, stuff SA, not blacks or whites.) The guy is equally to blame. He should take responsibilty and apologise and not justify. Even if it was equipment, still not good enough.

And finally, has the government issued an official statement on this? I hope so and people need to grow some b---s and stop blamng the government for everything. I feel that there are a lot of repressed emotions that come when something bad haapens in the country.

tsipa.com 11/16/2009 12:44:04 PM
Lol, I think the poor Jaaman didn't have a joint and he was bitter. Maybe he should sing for tomorrow's game between BafanaBafana and Jamaica - He'll fit in with the Jamaricans very well, probably even have few puffs of joint before singing.

Frankly 11/16/2009 12:46:51 PM
until they put more of our african brothers in the team we will be sending rasta to sing some more

@inyoka 11/16/2009 12:50:53 PM
The new anthem is a disgrace already I would have no worries about it being disgraceful to all South Africans. I don't think it's disgraceful at all. Being forced to sing it at school was a disgrace to me, I always kept my mouth shut.

L.BOOYSEN 11/16/2009 1:00:48 PM
Da worse i ever heard someone sing, PERIOD. BAN HIM!!!!!

Expat@Sim 11/16/2009 1:00:52 PM
It was the SA embassy that recommended this clown to sing. Not the French.
(Anyone else notice that the tune to the SA anthem is that of itsy bitsy spider? BWAAAHAHAHAHAA!)

boeretrooskoerant 11/16/2009 1:04:01 PM
Geez! It sounds terrible, enough to clam up any player before a game. Pity the players had to listen to that shambles.Thanks to the Frogs !
However, Barrs effort is worse by far as she even laughed during her repo.
Wat 'n kakspul !

Ben 11/16/2009 1:05:01 PM
Absolutely disgusted. Sign of total disrespect. We should do same to them when ever they get to play in SA. Two howling dogs and a screeching cat would probably do it.

Reed 11/16/2009 1:06:09 PM
Yes, this was a farce. But you know, our National Anthem is actually a prayer. Maybe we should get the English and Afrikaans words to the Anthem and sing that instead of the other versions.
Keep mongrils away from our Anthem!!!

Loux 11/16/2009 1:11:24 PM
1. Technically lacking.
2. Was difficult for the SA audience to participate as it had been Rastically amended.
3. Hardly nation building - music type not accessible to the masses that would have liked to sing along.
4. Truly an embarrassment.

Francois 11/16/2009 1:11:42 PM
There was nothing wrong with the monitor and microphone when the French anthem were sung.

Monde 11/16/2009 1:13:57 PM
Wow, with all the talent in SA,, why did they choose a clown to sing the National Anthem,, my 3yr old daughter can do much better than that,,,

Emperor 11/16/2009 1:19:59 PM
Can't stop laughing! It was a joke! Lol

Alain Latham 11/16/2009 1:21:43 PM
it's art. he was actually doing "No Woman, No Cry" just with the Nkosi Sikelele words...

Rob 11/16/2009 1:25:04 PM
Who cares!!! God awful anthem anyway

Carol 11/16/2009 1:28:53 PM
This man was offered the job and he accepted because he obviously needed the job The organizers who employed him need to take the wrap and be jacked. They clearly didn't even take the time to audition him. BAD NEWS ORGANIZERS - YOU CLEARLY NOT ORGANIZERS AT ALL. NOW THAT POOR MAN WILL NEVER EVER GET WORK ANYWHERE (but I do agree that he shouldn't have accepted the job in the first place).

Thavha 11/16/2009 1:29:51 PM
@Candz. I did not know that it was soccer against rugby? You make it sound like the rugby was set up by the soccer guys. Are you serious? They should get this guy to sing at the WC to embarrass the soccer. Why?

If that is your thought process, perhaphs we should get him to sing at the cricket, hockey, athletics, chess, thumbs wars, u/15 rugby as well hey?

Sounds like hidden agendas. Am still sticking by SA and support the soccer and ruggas and wont narrow things down to some cretin conspiracy.

If we did win, I still would have been pissed the anthem. It is the principle of it.


Jan 11/16/2009 1:31:29 PM
Another pathetic display of the new South Africa!

Carol 11/16/2009 1:32:13 PM
What this guy did was so embarrassing and disgusting. I don't blame him but the person who brought him there. The Boks dn't deserve to be humiliated like that cs they are the Best in the world....

Erika 11/16/2009 1:34:03 PM
Well done Frenchies, you did it again! The wrong anthem was played at the end of the Tour de France as well, poor Contador looked so confused. Luckily ge thought it was funny. Typical frogs, what a joke!

AC 11/16/2009 1:34:29 PM
It was disrespectful. I believe any country's National Anthem should be treated with the respect it deserves. However, this gentleman was chosen by our Embassy, so technically we're actually being disrespectful to ourselves. First time ever I ACTUALLY laughed during an Anthem, while I merrily hummed to the French Anthem. Lets not blame the anthem for our poor showing on the field, and lets not blame the French for someone chosen by us!!

Raymond 11/16/2009 1:35:30 PM
What a fiasco!! LOL-who is this clown? Once again,we make a laughing stock of our country by simply not appointing the right person for the job.

Philip 11/16/2009 1:36:36 PM
That guy gave me hope... maybe I too can one day stand in front of thousands and sing to my heart's content - regardless to the fact that I cannot even TALK on key, nevermind sing...
Honestly, is is mind-numbing that someone like that was allowed to sing in public...

Sheryl 11/16/2009 1:37:52 PM
Was he drunk???

Tarryn 11/16/2009 1:37:59 PM
.....and so this will be the next topic for however long... and SA shall cry victims .... come on people - its happened - get over it - move forward and focus on better topics that ACTUALLY deserve to be addressed in the press! Come now....

Lebza 11/16/2009 1:38:34 PM
It's very disappointing to know that this guy is from SA; he should know better. It would have been more understadable if he was from france cos then he would have no attachment to it's significance.

Biltong 11/16/2009 1:38:35 PM
Make him Minister of Arts & Sciences!!!!

He’ll fit in with the other clowns in cabinet.

Woodster 11/16/2009 1:40:16 PM
Looks like the French union also picked good old Wayne Barnes?
Frenchies played well and deserved the win, but a couple of 50/50 calls.

Ray 11/16/2009 1:41:12 PM
What a joke!!!On Saturday morning we were still laughing.Maybe the singer forgot to take his daily dose of Canary seed.My dog can howl better that.

John the 3rd 11/16/2009 1:41:49 PM
This is awesome. Why is every one so shocked. It's just a stupid song.

OceanRush 11/16/2009 1:42:12 PM
i guess the ANCYL is gloating, Julias in particular! The guy sang like crap, it sounded awfull ... I must say I laughed my nuts of. It's over, focus on the next game & teach the Frenchies a lesson they won't forget.

Winny 11/16/2009 1:42:18 PM
HE SMOKE TOO MUCH GANGA, BEFORE THE PERFOMANCE, NEVER GIVE HIM ANOTHER CHANCE SEND HIM TO JAMAICA AT LEAST.

Linda 11/16/2009 1:46:12 PM
I would have also lost if my anthem was sung like that!!! I bet many of our boks could have done better than this guy!!
Don't they first audition the people who need to sing!!!???
It is a slap in SA's face and i cant believe they allowed him to finish our anthem!!
I want to agree with Carol, but both of them are to blame for this!!
Rob:: you might not care on how it was sung, but if this guy did an item at your wedding!!

Marius 11/16/2009 1:47:26 PM
It was PATHETIC!!!!!!!!!! But not as pathetic as the people who organized it!!!!

justin 11/16/2009 1:48:22 PM
freakin funny!

Jacques 11/16/2009 1:48:36 PM
it has surely taken attention away from the fact that the springboks played crap and lost!

Eric 11/16/2009 1:49:50 PM
We can only blame ourselves on this one. The dude was hired by the SA embassy in France. They are the ones that are too blame for this one. I think the French people probably thought New South Africa. New upbeat way of singing

Norbert 11/16/2009 1:56:32 PM
That was a circus act. Barnes was the ringmaster and the Boks were the clowns on the night.

Ello 11/16/2009 2:03:57 PM
Looks like Schalk wanted to turn around, walk to the guy and return the favor, a resulting slap in the face!

Carien 11/16/2009 2:04:21 PM
What an embarrassment. Rugby SA should get a good company to make a DVD of our wonderful country. Proudly South African. Rainbow Nation. Ask someone (that can actually sing) to sing the National Anthem and show this DVD on the big screen at the game.

random 11/16/2009 2:09:36 PM
WHO CARES??

Alain again 11/16/2009 2:09:50 PM
just heard... it was actually Sacha Baron Cohen singing for his latest movie "Cultural Learnings of Tsawane for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan".

tigglescat 11/16/2009 2:17:20 PM
I also thought it was really embarrassing but still pretty funny! What's WAY more embarrassing than that is the fact that the majority of rugby fans don't know the words to the anthem either and mumble along most of it at games, only belting out the English and Afrikaans. Learn the anthem people! We've had it for 15 years now!!!

Michael 11/16/2009 2:20:43 PM
This is part of how we have become the butt of jokes told in Moscow pubs.

mduza 11/16/2009 2:20:45 PM
this singer left South africa when he was young and moved to France, he started performing in France and Europe. He was organised by the French to sing the anthem. No South African is to blame for this shame...

karen 11/16/2009 2:26:16 PM
It was disgusting - no matter what anyone says, that anthem, especially when you hear the crowd join in it is incredible and engenders a great deal of pride. Look at the players faces next time they sing the anthem when playing overseas and then tell me it doesn't make a difference.

Gavin & Heather 11/16/2009 2:29:02 PM
Absolutely shocking..... the french authority should be ashamed of themselves !!! Living in the UK we always look forward to watching our boys and hearing and singing our anthem,well this wasnt to be !!!!

HPS 11/16/2009 2:32:02 PM
I'm sure I saw a forward pass, oh no, that was another game with the french and that ref. Do the nz's still want to kill him?

Tigger 11/16/2009 2:34:28 PM
what is funny here is that it is the SA Embassy in Paris that choose this SA born singer to perform the anthem...

Goku 11/16/2009 2:37:18 PM
What a damn shame,it was pathetic,their is no exuse of old mic or whateva,now where the hell is julius with all his comment and stuff!!!!!!!!!

Thehehehe 11/16/2009 2:44:40 PM
Oh my!!! What was that?!!!!

Mahomed 11/16/2009 2:45:45 PM
Embarrased!How can sum1 disgrace us as a nation in front of the whole world!

Cuzzie 11/16/2009 2:56:54 PM
Did he smoke his own Durban stuff... or did the French supply him with the local weed before the singing of the anthem! What a hoot!

Werner Beytel 11/16/2009 2:57:25 PM
I can honestly say that it didn't affect me at all. Yes, it was embarrassing but frequent international embarrassment isn't exactly unheard of for South Africa. You would have expected people to be accustomed to it by now. I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion to take the focus away from our lackluster performance.

Still laughing 11/16/2009 2:58:46 PM
Give the rasta a break he obviously came to the stadium high on weed,which made him sound constipated not his fault.
Seriouly though this disrespect for our anthem was absolutely unforgivable.Thank goodness it wasn't a white guy who did the unforgivable.

Nathan Matalie 11/16/2009 3:01:26 PM
I would have to say Im Irie

James Shirindi 11/16/2009 3:02:17 PM
That's an insult to our country, I feel so humiliated, undermined and very bad about what that man has done 2 my beloved national anthem. Pls let's not allow this to happen anymore or ban this foreighners from singing our National Anthem.

Geoff 11/16/2009 3:02:46 PM
I've commented on these forums a few times before and i'm never ne to play the race card. But today I am appaled at the attitudes of some of you white people. You need a total attitude adjustment. You are of the notion that nothing right gets done as long as people of colour are in charge. I'm definately not pro-government, but I also acknowledge when something right gets done.
You however, you find everything under the sun to blame government. The singing of the SA anthem was an abomination. As for those of you saying that it's a stupid anthem, we had to bear with the old one for years when you were singing with your chest out and your head up. Rejoicing in the enslavement of people unable to defend their rights. You really irk me. This is not directed at all white people, so if it offends, then it's definately for you

POST MY COMMENTS PLEASE 11/16/2009 3:09:18 PM
One Question: "Is he going to be asked to sing the anthems again when Bafunny Bafunny have to play against Jamaica"....I need to know this seeing that he is a rasta, he got overnight fame for the debacle he caused for South Africa internationally, once again we are the laughing stock of the world!!!!!!!!! It never rains but pours with embarrassment for us South Africans :(

Jean-Pierre 11/16/2009 3:09:45 PM
It's a total disgrace. No respect whatsoever.

Sir August de Winter 11/16/2009 3:10:47 PM
It is just old fashioned mediocrity – you know the type which Africa has became so world famous for.

G Man 11/16/2009 3:31:04 PM
One expects old Leon Schuster to jump out of somewhere, saying "You Must Be Joking"

Claire 11/16/2009 3:32:53 PM
Once again everyone is pointing fingers at who's screw up it was... no one taking responsibly...
It was a disgrace and it better not happen again!

I do hope for a better Bok performance to


POST MY COMMENTS PLEASE 11/16/2009 3:38:25 PM
I ask the question again seeing that my comment was not posted earlier "is this rasta going to be asked to sing when bafunny bafunny play against Jamaica" after all it is a norm for South Africa to be embarrassed on an international scale!!!!!!!!!!!!Dumisani suddenly becomes an overnight celebrity for this DEBACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Willi Lawson 11/16/2009 3:40:07 PM
Priorities people - if the nation got on the bandwagon about crime, schooling, government corruption etc. with the same passion maybe SA could become the place we expect it to be.

TB 11/16/2009 3:42:27 PM
Oh gosh, can't believe the Roseanne Barr Was even worse than him. What really floors me is the fact that he thinks he sang it really well. I agree though that we should get him to do the opening anthem for the Soccer in 2010.

Rizo 11/16/2009 4:00:38 PM
Can't wait to hear him in the 2010 World cup.
And stay tuned for his new release CD entitled: "World Anthems I really don't know".

What a Nana! What would Randell say!

Kimberley 11/16/2009 4:00:51 PM
Who is this guy? My word, this is pathetic.

CM 11/16/2009 4:03:13 PM
PLONKER!!!!!!!!!!

Roger 11/16/2009 4:03:24 PM
I think we need to look a little closer to home for this fiasco. See what has now been posted in news.
'In the statement, issued by Saul Molobi of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation in Pretoria, it says it provided the French Rugby Union with Dumisani's agent's name as it was the only name of a South African singer living in France in its possession.'
"This was not a recommendation from the embassy since the embassy had no previous exposure to his performance nor is he a renowned performer," the statement said.

During a later meeting with officials from the Midi-Pyrenees Rugby Union in Toulouse, another request for a South African singer living in France to sing the anthem was made.
If ASA is anything to go by, I would suggest that SA is to blame and not the French.

sharon 11/16/2009 4:09:11 PM
Disgusting! I'm just waiting for Julius Malema is to play the race card again.....

Doug 11/16/2009 4:12:23 PM
Hands down the best rendition yet!!!

Ronald 11/16/2009 4:17:52 PM
I have a suggestion to make: let's all join Juliass at OR Tambo when this twit arrives back home. I think he would really love a nice "friendly" welcoming home. I'll be 1st in line to give him a solid PK against the left temple!

ngoako 11/16/2009 4:44:32 PM
Not funny at all.

Kasenija 11/16/2009 4:59:23 PM
Loved it, made my weekend. The look on Schalk's face was priceless

Fiona 11/16/2009 5:14:24 PM
I'm English-speaking; I have known the words to Nkosi Sikelele for many years; I am proud of our anthem and I believe it is an important symbol of our new democracy. I think if the reverse had happened, the other country would have been mightily upset with us.

Andre 11/16/2009 5:29:27 PM
Smacks of bee hee hee. Not the best man doing the job

jason 11/16/2009 5:32:24 PM
Bad singing? You bet your ass. BUT... is it his fault? Who the hell appointed this guy without a basic audition? Even one over the phone.

Senzi 11/16/2009 5:43:33 PM
No doubt the guy was high on something,but thats NO excuse for the Boks Pathetic perfomance!

RvZ 11/16/2009 5:46:24 PM
Where is Leon Schuster? ha ha

Louis 11/16/2009 5:50:20 PM
I hope we give the Frogs the same treatment if they ever have the temerity to tour our beloved country

Lusikisiki Gold 11/16/2009 6:05:19 PM
At first I thought he was on the same stuff as Piet Snorre, then I realised he was singing the harmony voice with the main melody played by the band. Then he ran out of steam and just went all over. No wonder he left SA - he will never make it as any type of singer anywhere in the world! What a million $ @rsehole!

Sylvia 11/16/2009 6:14:46 PM
Yes our national anthem WAS a disaster, but there were several factors involved which made it so. Firstly, the singer was obviously recommended by our embassy and his style really wasn't at all suitable. Secondly , the orchestra played the song much too fast. Surely they must have had a rehearsal beforehand! Thirdly, Dumisani credited the audience and players with a higher level of musicality then they posessed, and actually sang a descant above the melody, expecting that everyone else would sing in tune. If this had happened, his voice would have been an interesting and musical harmony soaring above the choir beneath. The look of almost religious fervour on his face, as he gave his all, should tell us that he had no intention of "butchering the anthem", as some accused him of doing. Unfortunately, without someone to lead them, nobody could sing the correct tune, hence the resultant cacophany. He didn't realise that most people find it very difficult to sing in tune at the best of times and well nigh impossible when the lead singer is doing something fancy as he was. I feel sorry for Dumisani taking all the blame, but let this be a lesson to all concerned.

Ouklip 11/16/2009 6:16:37 PM
It was even funnier than Eugene Tere Blanch falling of his horse.

Tony 11/16/2009 6:37:03 PM
We have an anthem that is admittedly cobbled together to try to bring the diverse people of the country together. To judge from some of the comments above it is not succeeding, so maybe we should drop the lines from Die Stem and just have the incredibly beautiful melody and words of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, which the vast majority of people in this country rightly love. And I'm there with them. It is not an ANC song but a lovely prayer for peace in this wonderful continent which is struggling out of the horrors of apartheid and colonialism. It is a prayer which does not glorify any nation or people over any other but simply asks for peace and blessings on all the people of Africa. If you can't handle that then maybe you should look to your own attitude and not complain so much about the rendition of the song, which was pathetic, by the way. I think the real problem with it was that it had not been adequately rehearsed and the sound system was not up to scratch.
But the attitudes of some people commenting above seem to be that anything they can do to disparage the new South Africa they will use. They should go and live in Orania, with Zuma's blessing!
As for me I love Nkosi and love singing it. There are many exceptionally beautiful renditions of it. It is a classic piece of music. But please don't make out that you are horrified at the disrespect shown by this rendition when you take every opportunity to run down the new South Africa, even using this unfortunate incident to add fuel to your fire, so to speak.
Get with making South Africa a more just and peacful society instead of complaining. And by the way, most governments are inept, inefficient and corrupt - it tends to be the way of government. Not even the US is free of these things, so what chance to lesser countries have really?
So grow up people and accept that South Africa now has a majority Black government, which it should have had a long time ago. And indeed there has been much less trauma involved in the change than there could have been so be grateful.

Fred 11/16/2009 6:53:52 PM
this performance pretty much sums up things political - striving for mediocrity

andrew 11/16/2009 7:39:10 PM
Typically the wrong people keep making the decisions. Who gives a $$#@ if he's got dreads, he needs to know the lyrics first and foremost! One debacle after another.

Granny C 11/16/2009 7:39:29 PM
Totally disrespectful. I suggest that he stays in France, they are welcome to him. Al professional singer should be able to sing under any conditions so don't blame the equipment.To the SA Embassy, apart from not having one brain cell between them they obviously don't take our anthem seriously and should not be representing SA.

P 11/16/2009 7:47:03 PM
I guess it gave us all a good laugh but then again, the national anthem is a prayer and should be taken seriously... Shame on those of you who think it's just a 'stupid song'. By the way, I also think it's shocking that some of you are so negative and/or racist.

Buyi 11/16/2009 7:48:17 PM
Tragic, but funny. The comments on this forum are funnier.

Cassandra 11/16/2009 8:55:26 PM
Were did they get him...from under a rock?

Johnson Johnson 11/16/2009 9:14:58 PM
Ahhh... he sang awfully but he had really long hair. Poor old Doomsonny Boy. Never mind, you've had a busy day.

croba 11/16/2009 9:36:16 PM
c'mon sa

4give the man im sure it was not his intention to harm or disrespect any one during his performance
blame the person that hired him

Frank II 11/16/2009 10:09:42 PM
HA! HA! HA! What a joke! This is hilarious! We are the rugby world champions and this makes us look so pathetic! It is time we take a respected singer to wherever we tour.

susanna smith 11/16/2009 10:51:00 PM
terrible my ears omg,why didnt somebody stop him.

Poo Pol 11/16/2009 10:56:35 PM
I'm so happy to have found a more worthy owner for my hard-earned name!!!

Duck 11/16/2009 11:05:34 PM
I loved the remix he threw in!
tina o tina....oooo!
simply masterclass!

Just me 11/16/2009 11:40:50 PM
Love it!!!!!!

peter 11/17/2009 12:23:04 AM
The whole country is a circus and a fiasco, so why are you surprised that the anthem is any different?

Pies 11/17/2009 3:55:47 AM
I already have it as my ringtone!

Nicholas 11/17/2009 5:16:16 AM
An accurate portrayal of a banana republic

AJ 11/17/2009 5:34:44 AM
I dont understand why thery got someone who better represents Jamaica instead of a SOuth Africa - yes we haev rasta's but they are not representative of our country. It may as well have been the Jamaican rugby team lining up there.

Gary 11/17/2009 5:39:00 AM
It's the new South Africa, it's the way things are now, this is a third world country! Jake White is gone the springboks will start to slip once the guys start retiring. Get over the anthem what's the big deal, it was the highlight of the night as far as SA rugby was concerened!

Mark 11/17/2009 5:41:58 AM
Classic-I think he should become the permanent singer for the boks and travel with them on tour.

Faahim 11/17/2009 7:49:07 AM
Truly Hilarious

Kaltie 11/17/2009 8:02:18 AM
This idiot represented our banana republic perfectly. Give him a seat in parlement too, if he is a liar, he will probably make a good corrupt partner too.

GeorGe 11/17/2009 8:05:32 AM
Comments here blame the French - it is not their fault. Blame it on the SA Rugby cartel/bosses who should of ensured that a competent person was available or supplied a cd that could have been played instead! What a disgrace! Viva incompetence Viva - eish!

Nkaqabeyifuqa 11/17/2009 8:11:37 AM
@Duck. Good observation! LOL

Lu 11/17/2009 8:47:14 AM
Lets not forget the drums- what was that about? I've never seen a national anthem performed in such a manner. It was disrespectful; and its not sour grapes because we lost.

Krantz 11/17/2009 8:53:27 AM
it just goes to show that the anthem as it stands today means nothing to a lot of people. it is not our own, it is a mishmash of a bunch of languages to please a bunch of people. get us a real anthem.

besides: if SA had won the game, this outrage will not be so severe

@ G MAN 11/17/2009 9:09:06 AM
"One expects old Leon Schuster to jump out of somewhere, saying "You Must Be Joking"

I was kind of hoping IT WAS Leon Schuster, but you just cant plan that kind of hilarity.

An in case some of you think its just a SA thing to be insulted by the butchering of your national anthem, I'm old enough to remember Roseanne Barr's USA fiasco, those yanks wanted her dead! She became a much hated celebrity and a bad joke ever since, and her career was pretty much over after that!

mpasi 11/17/2009 9:10:50 AM
Ras need a lot of practice.it is clear he didnt know the national anthem.next time when asked to perform,must make sure he knows the lyrics before he can make himself available.that was the remix,from Sesotho version to the end,even when interviewed by Lesedi Fm,he doesnt know the song.

David 11/17/2009 9:40:46 AM
Can someone out there tell me when this Circus show is gonna end?
First Eishkom, then Armscor, then UFS, followed by ANCYL, the ASA and now the Anthem.
Man, these clowns put Boswell/Wilkie to shame.

Jeremy 11/17/2009 10:03:29 AM
The Boks should have taken the mic from that idiot and do us proud. A national anthem is not something that should be remixed by a stoned BAFOON, let alone anybody. It's official and there's only 1 way to sing it. I wonder how they would feel if we got a French Country Musician to do a remix of their anthem for the world cup. I personally feel we shouldn't go back to Frane to play there.

Playa 11/17/2009 11:02:41 AM
It was funny!!! i was laughing

heinster 11/17/2009 11:36:42 AM
moving forward we should create a job and have the person singing the anthem at all international games - to travel with the BOKS wherever they go. That way they won't be any screwups

KT 11/17/2009 11:48:11 AM
Ja neh!!! what a disgrace, my 2 year old niece knows the words better than rastaman.

Anon 11/17/2009 11:59:45 AM
I hope that Rasta isnt at the game tonight @ Wembley...If you see someone punching him on TV, thats ME!! (Hi Mom)

Lucky 11/17/2009 12:11:57 PM
Was this the battle of the Anthems or a rugby game ??? Get over it, would the tune of the anthem have been such a big deal of the springboks had won? Learn to smile and laugh a little, as hard as I know it must be.

PT 11/17/2009 12:16:34 PM
it was horrible, the guys does'n even know the lyrics.

Brie 11/17/2009 12:46:52 PM
"Uit die blou van ons se hhheeeeeeemel". Not sure if the note or heaven was to high for him!!! He wasn't famous before, he certainly is now! I'm sure he's happy.

Foxie 11/17/2009 12:50:06 PM
Funny as hell! No use blaming Dumisani. He did not force anyone to put him on that stage. He got up there and gave it his best shot. As horrible as it was. Good on you, Ras! But feel free to rip the nuts out of the people who put him up there...

Liz 11/17/2009 12:58:53 PM
Why blame the French Rugby Union?
Blame the SA Embassy in France or Dumisani Ras for taking on the job when he clearly can't sing.

Tonedeaf 11/17/2009 1:22:48 PM
I thought Dumisani's singing was lovely, and it was a really moving rendition. It made me cry, really.

Michelle 11/17/2009 1:28:22 PM
Funny as heck! And shame, he sang with so much gusto.... :)

Lydia 11/17/2009 1:53:41 PM
It was embarrassing and pitiful but once again we have people falling over themselves trying to blame somebody. I mean with all the billions being squandered in SA, why could we not pay for one of our excellent singers to go over and make us proud of our anthem instead of listening to it being butchered. I am extremely happy to see though that SA is doing something about it. We usually just let it ride but if other countries can complain about things that went wrong for them, then so can we.

KT 11/17/2009 1:53:47 PM
Listen to a revised version of the anhem by Ras Dumisani (Metro FM interview)see link below:
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Sport&set_id=6&click_id=4&art_id=nw20091117102948975C768343

Lungie 11/17/2009 2:04:42 PM
Rendition sooooooo 'irietating',

Reeva 11/17/2009 2:20:36 PM
The only time SA stand together PROUDLY is when we sing the anthem. He RAPED our anthem!!

Flee 11/17/2009 2:22:04 PM
heinster.... Totally agree, We always had Claire Johnston from Mango Groove, I think, singing the anthems and she was amazing..... Goose bumps... This dude then went and made his name Arse even more so by going on Metro FM and swearing that he knew the words... and got then totally wrong again what an embarrassment. ,,,, Our Embassy only supplied the name to the French on request...because he was the only "South African" living in France... Not because he could sing..what crap... my dog could sing the anthem better..... And the sheer ignorance of placing the flag upside down... NO RESPECT The French should be sued for deformation of a country.... Frogs!

Hennie 11/17/2009 2:41:42 PM
The anthem is a disgrace, this clown tried to improve it.

philani 11/17/2009 3:00:35 PM
The blame should go strait to the singer. why in the world did he agree to sing and represent our country if he knew that he did not know the song? and as for the embassy, why choose a raggae singer to sing a national anthem?

Leon 11/17/2009 3:07:01 PM
Ag sies man, what a shame, he can't sing. He should have just blown his vuvuzela...

Candy 11/17/2009 3:18:56 PM
He was invited to sing. Perhaps he should have had an audition. Very funny, just wish it wasn't as such an event.

Pepino 11/17/2009 3:19:47 PM
This is what happens when people leave thier country, they end up not knowing anything about thier our country. I REST MY CASE!!!

Nokuthula Sonile 11/17/2009 3:39:45 PM
crazy, Dumisani Ras tried to freestyle the South African National Anthem...

expat 11/17/2009 4:12:43 PM
I have just watched my old anthem being sung and I swear that is not frenchman singing, that is some drunken hobo picked up off durban beachfront on put on a plane by the SA government for representation. Good Luck Bokke. hahahaha that was funny, you have to admit.

@all 11/17/2009 4:45:27 PM
I am sure there are a couple of guys in the Bok team that CAN sing. Why not let them do it before an international game. Got to speak to Divvie about that. Wow !! RAS's singing was BAD !! .. got up and walked away from the TV.

Jane 11/17/2009 4:54:49 PM
I personally don't feel that anthems are that important in the scheme of things myself, although I do understand that other people feel more strongly towards them and that's fine. However, I am outraged because it showed a total lack of courtesy, and what's more, a total lack of organisation on the part of the French because they should have run through the performance in full during the sound check, and at least chosen to dispense with the "singer" and just let the perfectly competent orchestra play the anthem on their own. And all that being said, from all that I've seen and heard, Dumisani Ras appears to be rather oblivious to what really happened that evening...

gms 11/17/2009 5:14:32 PM
This guy does deserve to be called a South African. Shame on you

jen 11/17/2009 5:58:26 PM
it made me LOL

Carly 11/17/2009 8:17:43 PM
Oh dear maybe they can use him to sing for Bafana Bafana as well!! Next time we can take Steve Hofmeyer with the team!!

Thorr 11/18/2009 7:38:48 AM
We must remember no matter how badly the boks played on Fri, the issue goes about repect and dignity of our anthem and our country it is clear who ever organised this singer has not got a cooking clue or shred of national pride, I am afriad this is yet another small reflection at how we as a nation is slipping back into the dark ages there is no respect for ourselves our country men why should we have any respect for our anthem and image oversees, once again another ANC stuff up

Jean 11/18/2009 9:48:42 AM
The funniest thing this year so far by FAR!! LMAO..

Expat2 11/18/2009 10:20:20 AM
This dude simply did what was expected of him i.e. sing the national anthem and he did so in the style that he knows best. If it was expected that he delivers it any differently, he should not have been chosen. He has performed internationally with reggae luminaries for almost 20 years and quite frankly, he knows no other way. I find it ironic though that when our politicians make even bigger fools of themselves in public, no one says a word. So if any one’s to blame, look no further than the president for not setting a “more appropriate” example.

thuthu 11/18/2009 12:44:55 PM
nice version of national anthem

Marungadzinndevhelaho 11/18/2009 1:48:41 PM
We must know that this "singer" has stayed as from 1992 in France. I think he forgot our national anthem and he was trying all the best to sing it in Afrikaans, Sotho, zulu and Frech. That was funny.

Keith 11/18/2009 2:51:37 PM
Forget about the way the national anthem was sung, we should be more worried about some people in parliament that should not be there because they cannot perform their duties effectively. A barometer of attained objectives and the election promises achieved by each minister's portfolio should be graphically published for each province, we the taxpayers can then ascertain who is not doing what they are being paid for.

Melanie 11/18/2009 3:21:13 PM
Disgusting!!! Why should he now GAIN from such an atrocity!! In that case, the LOCAL MUSIC MARKET will be thriving shortly.... Let's see who capitalises now...????

Sam 11/18/2009 4:12:30 PM
Yes I agree it was a terrible rendition of the anthem, but shame, I can't help but feel sorry for the guy, he really thought he sang well. Lets forgive and forget, there are a lot more serious problems that need all this attention.

Joe 11/18/2009 7:56:12 PM
Why not get him to sing for Bafana? Would like to see the 'real' public compline / praise the man.

Sarah 11/18/2009 10:52:28 PM
I was disgusted when I heard it the first time. Hearing it again makes me seriously angry. How stupid it makes us all look. Our anthem should be sung by someone who knows the words and can show how much pride we have in our beautiful country. This twerp made the whole thing into a big fat joke and had the nerve to say in a Primedia interview that it was the quality of microphone that made it so bad. What a loser and what even bigger losers the people are who selected him to sing it.
UTTERLY GROSSED OUT!

Andrew 11/19/2009 7:55:05 AM
I dont think he should get away with that stunt, he should do some kind of community service teaching youngsters & adults alike to sing and respect the anthem. that was really shocking!

Paul 11/19/2009 8:46:42 AM
Funny how people get upset about this but when Jack Black praid to Satan on MTV awards, no one said a word...I wonder where the world priorities are?

pie007 11/19/2009 10:34:09 AM
I doubt any of us on this forum would have the guts to embarrass ourselves in that manner. If that was singing, I suppose one of us can do it ten times better. He's a freak! Then again....it's the mountain cabbage he's eating!

Peter G 11/20/2009 7:28:52 AM
So we are supposed to be upset. 20th November 2009 on SABC2 Morning live, when the nations that qualified for the world cup were listed, the flags next to the countries names didn't match. Germany had the Irish flag, New Zealand the Australian flag and Uruguay hat the Greek flag. Tokyo Sexwale used to fly the SA flag upside down on his wine farm, so who are we to complain.

Nina 11/20/2009 8:16:59 AM
Schalk Burger & Bryan Habana's faces: PRICELESS! Goeie genade, I couldn't stop laughing!! Shocking as it may be, it's still hilarious!!! And let's face it, S.A. is a joke!!!

rix 11/20/2009 10:23:41 AM
a whole week has passed and we are still carrying on about this, an even bigger joke.
move on

Jon 11/20/2009 11:53:20 AM
This guy is one level lower than pathetic - I can imagine what the Idols judges reaction would be if he was on that show!!

Tebzwa Ngwana 11/20/2009 12:15:57 PM
Get over it people! Ras Dumisani sang his heart out, and clearly believed he was doing a good job at it. Just admit it that your problem is that the Bokke lost, and that the a scapegoat was needed, and a black one in particular.

I am surprised that no one has blamed the government for the fact that it is winter when in fact it should be summer.

Tebza Ngwana 11/20/2009 12:18:02 PM
By the way, how many people go to idols only to make the judges and the audience cringe with embarassment? Yet in their hearts these people believe they CAN sing. So did Ras Dumisani. Find something else to whinge about, like the weather. Blame it on Zuma or something like that
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