Avatar photo

By Citizen Reporter

Journalist


WATCH: EFF boycott Die Stem during Sona

The party has previously left out this part of the anthem.


The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) seem to have boycotted the Afrikaans section of the South African national anthem, Die Stem, during the 2019 state of the nation address (Sona) on Thursday evening.

In a video clip the red berets’ leader, Julius Malema, reshared on Twitter, the party’s members of parliament (MPs) are seen seated as other MPs sing Die Stem ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering his second Sona on Thursday evening.

https://twitter.com/Zaahidah_M/status/1093554820726865920

During the EFF election manifesto launch at the Gaint Stadium in Soshanguve last weekend, the party’s chairperson, Dali Mpofu, led the singing of the national anthem, leaving out Die Stem as well as the English section, concluding instead with “Mayibuye iAfrica”.

“Please can we all rise and sing Nkosi Sikelel’iAfrika without Die Stem van Suid Afrika,” Mpofu said.

READ MORE: WATCH: Dali Mpofu ‘sings’ national anthem without Die Stem

Social media users reacted differently to the red berets boycott of the Die Stem during the Sona, with some declaring their support for the EFF’s snub of that part of the national anthem while others viewed the move as being “disrespectful”.

https://twitter.com/odgewalker/status/1093800330683469825

https://twitter.com/ConcernSAfrica/status/1093792649167937537

https://twitter.com/Jaun_dewitt/status/1093791935171624960

(Compiled by Makhosandile Zulu)

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.

Read more on these topics

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Social Media

For more news your way

Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.