Ngema won't back down

2002-05-29 11:56

Johannesburg - Songwriter and playwright Mbongeni Ngema will not apologise for his controversial song, Amandiya, the lyrics of which suggest that South African blacks are mistreated and exploited by Indians.

Ngema, speaking on a current affairs programme on the SABC radio Zulu-language station, Ukhozi, said he stood by his position that the song was aimed at raising a dialogue to address the fundamental problems between the two groups, rather than creating confrontation.

Ngema has said: "First and foremost, I wish to state that the song is intended to begin a public debate on the issue (as the opening line of the song says) and not to cause racial hatred."

Ngema said the views of black people who gathered at taxi and bus ranks, at shebeens, soccer matches and "many other places" were expressed in the song.

"I believe it is my role as an artist... to mirror the society and highlight the plight of the people on the ground. The leadership relies on us artists to voice out issues where there is perceived oversight."

He said he had agreed the SABC should stop playing the song until a decision had been made on how the issue should be handled.

Former president Nelson Mandela said on Tuesday that, although he had not read the words of Amandiya, Ngema should apologise if he had offended people with "racist" lyrics.

"Mbongeni Ngema has done very well by uniting this country with his writing," said Mandela.

"I think he can do nothing better than to apologise if he has offended anyone with racist lyrics."

A complaint has been lodged about the song with the SA Human Rights Commission.

The commission's Jody Kollapen said that, while there was a need for social dialogue because of deep divisions in race and ethnicity in South Africa, the song's lyrics did not contribute to such a dialogue.

"They serve to polarise people even more and I don't think they are conducive to nation-building in our country," he said.

- SAPA