Britain apologizes to S. Africa for anthem bloomer
Source: AFP |
June 7, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SOUTH Africa has received an official apology from British hockey bosses yesterday after the apartheid anthem 'Die Stem' was mistakenly played before its match in the pre-Olympic London Cup on Tuesday.
Marissa Langeni, chief executive of the South African Hockey Association, in a letter to tournament organizers, said the country "watched with disbelief as our team stood through what clearly was a most embarrassing and uncomfortable experience".
"The anthem played caused our team much discomfort as they stood not knowing what to do with themselves. This incident has robbed our team of what should have been a moment of pride," Langeni said.
"It was a joke out there. The guys couldn't sing along to it and even the crowd were starting to laugh. It was very disappointing," said Springbok vice-captain Victor Matfield of the off key performance. South African women went on to beat their British counterparts 3-1 in their opening game and GB Hockey apologized for its embarrassing error.
Since 1997, the South African anthem has been 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika' (God Bless Africa), a hybrid song of five languages which includes extracts of the anti-apartheid hymn and a verse of 'Die Stem'.
Marissa Langeni, chief executive of the South African Hockey Association, in a letter to tournament organizers, said the country "watched with disbelief as our team stood through what clearly was a most embarrassing and uncomfortable experience".
"The anthem played caused our team much discomfort as they stood not knowing what to do with themselves. This incident has robbed our team of what should have been a moment of pride," Langeni said.
"It was a joke out there. The guys couldn't sing along to it and even the crowd were starting to laugh. It was very disappointing," said Springbok vice-captain Victor Matfield of the off key performance. South African women went on to beat their British counterparts 3-1 in their opening game and GB Hockey apologized for its embarrassing error.
Since 1997, the South African anthem has been 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika' (God Bless Africa), a hybrid song of five languages which includes extracts of the anti-apartheid hymn and a verse of 'Die Stem'.
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