Dumisani sorry for 'disgusting' performance

By Botho Molosankwe

The man accused of "butchering" the South African national anthem has blamed his poor performance on technical problems and French officials who wanted to "sabotage" his concert.

Speaking to John Robbie on Talk Radio 702 on Monday, Durban-born Alexius "Ras" Dumisani apologised to South Africans for the incident.

"I would like to apologise to all the people at home because I find myself was very disgusting (sic)," he said.

Dumisani was invited to sing the national anthem just before the Springboks played against the French rugby team on Friday evening. He said problem started when they were doing the sound balance checks and he was given a very old microphone and monitor to put on his ear and also around his waist.

"I explained that I would not be able to use it but they said they will change it. I was not feeling good," he said, adding that the organisers wanted to sabotage his performance.

He said the man who sang the French anthem had back-up singers and his sound was very good. "It is difficult to play and not hear yourself or the music at all," he said.

However, all is not lost as Dumisani said he would like to sing the national anthem again. Meanwhile a Facebook group calling itself "Ban Ras Dumisani from ever singing again" has emerged. One of its 140 members, Simphiwe Chiya, wrote: What happened in France on the 13th of November... just goes to show the incompetency of almost everybody in governance. The South African embassy in France is to blame for such an embarrassment to our nation. Another member, Natalie Clarke, said as punishment Dumisani should be made to sing the anthem for eight solid hours.

This breaking news article was supplied exclusively to www.iol.co.za by the news desk at our sister publication, The Star.

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