South Africa: Anthem, Schmanthem. Is This a Democracy or What?

ANC MP Lindiwe Maseko put it to parliament on Tuesday that South Africans are not patriotic enough and, as a solution, proposed that the SABC broadcast the national anthem twice a day. Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi is reportedly putting measures in place to implement this, saying it will 'boost social cohesion' and 'moral regeneration'. AAISHA DADI PATEL asked some Jo'burgers what they make of this idea.

Vivian Dreyer, 48, self-employed, Johannesburg "I think it's a lot of hogwash, I don't think they even know what patriotism means or what it would be. Patriotism comes from more than saying white people and black people should hold hands or that we should sing the national anthem so many times a day. I mean, it's like what Kennedy said. It's not what you can do for your country, but rather what can your country do for you.

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