Premier to enforce singing of national anthem
GAUTENG - Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane wants citizens to sing the national anthem and recite the Constitution’s preamble once a month to promote patriotism.
Mokonyane launched the Constitution Mondays, Thand’ Umzansi (Love South Africa) campaign at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on 7 October.
Citizens, including schools, would be encouraged to take pride in the South African flag and read the preamble of the Constitution on the first Monday of each month.
“Our target is our learners at schools and different sectors. We’ll be using artists and culture and various other means to communicate, because Thand’ Umzansimust be about national identity. We’ve identified the national flag, the anthem and national symbols as a rallying point… (we want people to) sing the national anthem but understand its meaning and sing it with respect,” said Mokonyane.
She encouraged tolerance adding, “We are a diverse nation… therefore there has to be tolerance; our diversity must be what unifies us so that we can share and celebrate each other’s cultures.”
We would also demand that every fourth night there must be a singing of the national anthem and on a Friday, a sharing of the preamble. It must not be optional; it must be something that is part of your schedule, so that you must stay away from depending on a DVD or CD to sing the national anthem.
Mokonyane further encouraged citizens to rally behind the National Development Plan to help change South Africa.
