Furore on the “Kill the boer’’ song gains momentum

By Ofentse Mokae
01 April 2010

The furore on the high court’s ruling to ban the struggle song “Kill the boer’’ and the decision of the ruling party to appeal it continues.

The Independent Democrats has expressed its deepest regret over the African National Congress’ decision to continue with its appeal against the recent South Gauteng High Court ruling that the song is unlawful and unconstitutional.

The party’s secretary general Haniff Hoosen says his counter-part in the ANC, Gwede Mantashe’s description of the ruling as “incompetent and unimplementable” shows a dangerous disregard for the courts.

Hoosen says by failing to use this opportunity to show mature leadership and level headedness, the ANC has missed the point completely.

“Even if the ANC’s legal interpretation is correct and they pursue their appeal and win, our nation will still be the biggest loser,” Hoosen says.

He argues that the country does not need leaders that get involved in petty squabbles, but rather leaders that rise above them and reach out to all sectors of our society.

The South African Communist Party disagrees saying the manoeuvres to use courts to try and rewrite the country’s history are distasteful and runs the risk of undermining reconciliation.

The party’s Malesela Maleka says liberation songs are not only about the past but about who South Africans are, their sacrifices, their dignity and future.

He says they support that ANC in its court appeal.

The Azanian Youth Organization has also added its weight behind the alliance partners believing that the debate around the singing of the song by ANCYL president Julius Malema has been completely blown out of proportion.

“The song forms part our collective history and heritage as a people, and it cannot be abandoned to please the liberal media and the white rightwing groups such as Afriforum, FF plus and DA for the sake of reconciliation,” the youth organisation says.