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'Treat anthem with respect'

Johannesburg - Parliament's portfolio committee on arts and culture voiced concern on Friday over what it described as a continued disregard for the national anthem.

"A few weeks ago, renowned South African musician Judith Sephuma was also alleged to have delivered a below par performance of the national anthem," committee chairwoman Thandile Sunduza said in a statement on Friday.

"This follows the terrible rendition of our nation’s primary song in 2009 by Ras Dumisani as well as the rendition by musician Ard Matthews in 2011.

"The committee is concerned that there seems to be a continuing trend of disrespect towards the national anthem."

The most recent incident occurred on Wednesday night, during the game between Bafana Bafana and Nigeria at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. According to standard practice at international matches, the visiting nation's anthem should be played first.

"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 the South African anthem then resumed.

"We view this continuing trend as disrespectful and call on every South African to show the anthem the respect it deserves."

The committee requested that South African sporting federations ensured the national anthem was played properly during all international games.

It called on all South Africans to treat it with respect.

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