×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Trumpets ordered for protest

IN FULL CRY: Bafana Bafana supporters at St Georges Park Fan Fest in Port Elizabeth. photo: Fredlin Adriaan. 24/06/2010. © TheTimes.
IN FULL CRY: Bafana Bafana supporters at St Georges Park Fan Fest in Port Elizabeth. photo: Fredlin Adriaan. 24/06/2010. © TheTimes.

A MEMBER of Taiwan's anti-Chinese opposition has prepared for a weekend protest against a trade pact with the mainland by ordering 200 South African vuvuzela trumpets - made in China.

A MEMBER of Taiwan's anti-Chinese opposition has prepared for a weekend protest against a trade pact with the mainland by ordering 200 South African vuvuzela trumpets - made in China.

Laurence Kao of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said he was aware that the noisy, monotonous-sounding instruments were made in China. "We'll beat them with their own medicine."

Taiwan's DPP, which favours independence from the mainland, has vowed to get together 100000 people tomorrow to protest against the pact, just days before the island's China-friendly government plans to sign it.

"Vuvuzela sounds a bit like 'upset' in Taiwanese, and that's another reason why we've picked the instrument - to show our anger at the government for signing the pact," Kao said.

In Poland trade union Solidarity is eyeing the South African vuvuzela as an attention-getter to use at protests.

The instrument has caught the eye of the labour union once led by Lech Walesa, famous for his anti-communist protests in the 1980s.

"If we don't surprise people with anything during protests, and if protests are quiet, nobody notices them," said Marek Lewandowski, a close aid to Solidarity's leadership.

Other unions also said the loud horn would boost their current arsenal of sirens and horns already commonly used during protests. - Sapa-AFP

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.