Seasoned actor and EFF member of parliament Fana Mokoena caused a stir on social media platforms after he called for the removal of the Afrikaans part of the national anthem “die stem,” during the Ministry of Sports Arts and Culture’s 2024 budget vote.
Fana who was once popular for his role as Mandla on Generations is among those who were with EFF from the beginning.
Speaking to a room full of ministers and other parliamentarians he shared:
“Our so-called national anthem still bears the whole marks of apartheid, and in a situation in which gotten rid of the flag, the apartheid flag. It’s peculiar that we get rid of the flag but we keep the anthem. The two go together, you raise the flag so that you can sing the anthem.”
“It is impossible for us to get rid of one and keep the other. “Die stem” needs to go, it is not to say we must get rid of Afrikaans, we can find a replacement for Afrikaans but “die stem” needs to go, it is offensive.”
EFF Member Fana Mokoena🗣
“Die Stem needs to go in the National Anthem” pic.twitter.com/ZTIpp0CpAY
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) July 16, 2024
The actor received mixed reactions from internet users who had so much today about his request:
Very good point.
That’s something that needs to be looked at, look at the reaction of that white guy at the back.— T – man (touch) (@__T_touch) July 16, 2024
They shared:
He needs to go back to acting … what good or bad will an anthem do for Sport? Because ekugqibeleni kudlala abantu not iAnthem
— Maniac (@YNWA15) July 16, 2024
Another user shared his thoughts about the EFF:
Time is more important that’s why they will keep on losing votes, such fight EFF won’t win as they’re a not in power.
— Petro (@Petro96941111) July 16, 2024
One user had a better suggestion, commenting:
Put a poll somewhere, let South Africans decide … However, be aware it’s only money that we want. This is not weighty enough for me.
— Jay Hoffa 🌐 (@sjayjay005) July 16, 2024
Also see: Julius Malema redirects queries about VBS allegations to archives
