Opinion

National anthem should be respected by all citizens

The portfolio committee on arts and culture is concerned about the continued disregard of the South African National Anthem.

Mr Malatswa Evans Molepo writes:

The portfolio committee on arts and culture is concerned about the continued disregard of the South African National Anthem.

The recent incident took place during the game between Bafana Bafana and Nigeria on August 14. As per standard practice in international games, the host nation’s national anthem is played last as a sign of respect for the visiting nation.

The committee was shocked when South Africa’s national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, was played first, cut short to play the Nigerian National Anthem, and then resumed. We are concerned that there seems to be a continuing trend of disrespect towards it.

We view this continuing trend as disrespectful and call on every South African to show the anthem the respect that it deserves. We view the national anthem as sacred and as a symbol of the country’s painful history as well as a prosperous future we all strive towards.

It should be sung and played with dignity, knowing that it represents hopes and aspirations of more than 50 million South Africans and represents the aspirations of freedom fighters who gave their lives for a better South Africa.

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