Fly the flag, sing the anthem and unite the nation during Covid-19 lockdown

With South Africa experiencing its darkest hours during the 21-day national lockdown in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, citizens are urged to show unity by flying the South African flag and listening to radio stations which will be playing the national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa) on a weekly basis.

President Cyril Ramaposa has called on citizens to demonstrate their solidarity with fellow South Africans by displaying the South African flag on social media (#PrayForSouthAfrica), outside their homes and in other prominent places as an act of compassion and unity during the national lockdown.

Also, in a show of national pride and unity radio stations across the country, including Durban’s East Coast Radio, will be playing the South African anthem every Friday at 1pm.

In a social media post East Coast Radio said it had heeded the president’s call for the 21 day lockdown against the spread of Covid-19 and for the rallying of people nationwide.

The national anthem was played on the first day of lockdown, March 27 and this will continue in the upcoming weeks.

ALSO READ: Lockdown Regulations: Everything you need to know

Primedia Broadcasting has also joined up.  In a recent statement it said staying at home can be an isolating experience but radio had the unique and powerful ability to lift spirits and encourage unity among people.

 

National Association Broadcasters (NAB), Executive Director, Nadia Bulbulia said that the idea of playing the national anthem was born from the programming teams of many of its members.

“It is really encouraging to see radio stations collaborating in this way in our collective fight against the pandemic. The next 21 days gives us an opportunity to contain the virus and flatten the curve,” Bulbulia said.

As part of the NAB, the four Primedia Broadcasting radio stations will stand in solidarity and broadcast the anthem to connect with its listeners and the rest of the county. Listen to your favourite radio station and share the moment with other communities.

If you have been putting off learning the national anthem, this is the perfect opportunity to do so:

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa)

Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo,

(Raise high Her glory)

Yizwa imithandazo yethu,

(Hear our Prayers)

Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo

(God bless us, we her children)

Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,

(God protect our nation)

O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho,

(End all wars and tribulations)

O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,

(Protect us, protect our nation)

Setjhaba sa South Afrika – South Afrika.

(Our nation South Africa – South Africa)

Uit die blou van onse hemel,

(Ringing out from our blue heavens)

Uit die diepte van ons see,

(From our deep seas breaking round)

Oor ons ewige gebergtes,

(Over everlasting mountains)

Waar die kranse antwoord gee,

(Where the echoing crags resound)

Sounds the call to come together,

And united we shall stand,

Let us live and strive for freedom,

In South Africa our land.

And if you would like to master the isiZulu and isiXhosa part of the anthem – here’s a quick tutorial…