South Africa

SA Embassy deny chosing singer

Monday, November 16 The South African embassy in Paris did not impose Ras Dumisani on the organisers of Friday's rugby match between South Africa and France, it said in a statement.

The embassy said it had also noticed that the South African flag was flown the wrong way around at the event, but that it had been too late to correct the error.

"In all cases, the embassy merely provides information, but is often not in a position to vouch for the bona fides, credentials or competency of any of the parties," it said.

"In this case, the embassy had only one name of a South African singer in France and the embassy provided the name of his agent in France to the French Rugby Union."

"...This was not a recommendation from the embassy since the embassy had no previous exposure to his performances nor is he a renowned performer."

It said that during a meeting on September 8 with officials from the Midi-Pyrenees Rugby Union in Toulouse, the embassy was asked to suggest a South African singer residing in France to sing the national anthem before the match.

"Since this was not an embassy event, the embassy maintained that it was not in a position to provide, source or recommend any artists and that they discuss this matter with the South African Rugby Union.

"The embassy further undertook to inform them of any South African singers who might be touring France during this period. There was unfortunately no South African artist touring France during this period."

It continued: "The embassy had no subsequent dealings with any of the parties and rejects all claims that the embassy chose or imposed the singer. This was entirely the responsibility of the hosts."

Dumisani has had to weather a storm of criticism over his rendition of the anthem.

While the Congress of the People called his performance a "vocal misfire", the Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) recommended that he stick to singing in the shower.

The YCLSA demanded an apology from French rugby authorities and said the department of arts and culture and international relations should compile a list of people who could sing the anthem to avoid future embarrassment, especially ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

It also called on the education department to make sure children learnt the anthem and for mandatory singing at morning assemblies

Beeld reported that Dumisani blamed his performance on the sound equipment. He had complained about it during the sound check but nothing was done.

"It was war, it was definitely war. If you can't hear yourself, then it is not possible to sing," he wrote in response to a question posted on Facebook.

Dumisani is also on the receiving end of a Facebook site drumming up support for him not sing again.

*Meanwhile, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) has written to the French Rugby Union (FFR) expressing South Africa’s dismay at Dumisani's performance.

“As a union we were shocked and horrified by the rendition of the anthem and I contacted the French Federation on Saturday morning to express our very grave concerns,” said Mr Oregan Hoskins, president of SARU.

“The performance of the anthem is a treasured part of any rugby international and we take great pains in this country in the selection and rehearsal of artists to ensure that we appropriately honour all anthems.

“Something went seriously awry in Toulouse and the upshot was that offence has been caused not just to the Springboks and SARU but to South Africans in general.

“I congratulate France on their victory in the Test match, but look forward to their response on this important issue.”

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