ANC anthem gets bad reviews
2012-12-16 13:13
Bloemfontein - The woman who sang the national anthem at the ANC's elective conference in Mangaung on Sunday did not get rave reviews on social networking site Twitter.
University of the Free State rector Jonathan Jansen, whose campus is hosting the event, tweeted: "Oh no bring back Cde Ras Dumisani to rather sing the national anthem", in reference to Dumisani's off-key performance of the anthem ahead of a rugby test between South Africa and France in November 2009.
The woman's name could not immediately be established.
Another tweet read: "Comrade Bushy from ANC conference can't sing the National Anthem she reminds me of Ras Dumisani butchering our anthem."
Dumisani's version was described as a "hilariously, off-key rendition" in the media.
Zelda la Grange, former president Nelson Mandela's personal assistant tweeted: "This chick can't sing for shit! #Mangaung" haha!!! Ouch!"
Twitter user Khaya Dlanga wrote: "That lady who led the singing of the National Anthem sang like she was a goat about to be slaughtered", to which another replied that he was being kind to the goat.
Twitter was also flooded with updates from people at the conference.
Those who tweeted from the plenary venue, including journalists and editors, spoke about party leaders arriving, the songs being sung, what delegates were wearing, and what they talked about.
Journalist Carien du Plessis tweeted: "Gwede Mantashe arrives in black Beemer. He has security guards in a white Corolla. They get out fast, he gets out slow #ANC2012."
Geoffrey York wrote: "Singing and foot-stomping by pro-Zuma delegates is drowning out any hint of dissent at #Mangaung in main plenary tent."
Delegates in the tent, accommodating about 6 000 people, helped increase the temperature as they shouted slogans and sang their favourite songs.
Jacanews noted:" #Mangaung Interfaith prayers now. Can't begin to describe how hot it is in this multi-level marquee tent."
- SAPA
