Tebogo Msimanga |
Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on the government to review the lyrics of South Africa’s national anthem to accommodate all South African languages including Xitsonga and Tshivenda. “There is no doubt that the national anthem in its current form is not inclusive”.
Makaneta said it is ironic that after 1994, former freedom fighters acknowledged Afrikaans and English by ensuring that these two languages are part of the National anthem to the exclusion of indigenous languages such as Xitsonga and Tshivenda.
“We often say that justice cannot be served if those appearing before the courts do not understand proceedings. That is why there is an interpreter in court to ensure that those appearing in court can clearly hear and understand the proceedings”.
He further said by expecting everybody to sing the national anthem, the state is in fact forcing Tsonga and Venda people to learn Zulu and Afrikaans but creates no space for Zulus and Afrikaners to learn Tsonga and Venda and this is a cause for great concern.
“Government should look at ways to accommodate Tsonga and Venda people in the national anthem for the sake of national reconciliation”.
