LIFE just keeps getting worse for the man who sang Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika at the Springboks' match against France on Saturday.
LIFE just keeps getting worse for the man who sang Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika at the Springboks' match against France on Saturday.
The South African embassy in Paris says Ras Dumisani - real name Alexius Dumisani - got the gig by accident because he was the only South African singer living in France.
The embassy yesterday distanced itself from the "debacle", blaming the French Rugby Union for bringing Ras Dumisani on to the field.
Kgomotso Molobi of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the French Rugby Union had approached the embassy in France in September, asking for a list of South African singers living in the country.
"The embassy had only one name of a South African singer in France and provided the name of his agent to the French Rugby Union. This was not a recommendation since the embassy had had no previous exposure to his performances nor is he a renowned performer," Molobi said.
He said the Midi-Pyrenees Rugby Union in Toulouse asked again a week later for the name of a performer, but the embassy said they couldn't help.
The next thing the embassy knew Ras Dumisani was on the field on Saturday.
"The embassy rejects all claims that the embassy chose or imposed the singer. This was entirely the responsibility of the hosts," Molobi said.
Ras Dumisani, meanwhile, told Sapa yesterday that he had apologised for his performance. "I want to apologise to all the people at home. I find myself disgusted."
He said the match organisers had given him "very old" equipment that distorted his singing.
But the Young Communist League lashed out at Ras Dumisani yesterday, calling him a "chancer, a con artist, a howler of note and a disgrace to our country".
"He must keep singing the anthem, but only in his shower," spokesperson Gugu Ndima said.
The Durban-born reggae singer has had tongues wagging since he delivered his off-key rendition in Paris.
The singer, whose father is of royal descent from Mtunzini, later blamed sabotage for singing off-tune.
Radio stations around South Africa have been bombarded by people complaining about the incident and presenters have had a field day.
By yesterday afternoon more than 600 people had joined a page on Facebook called "Ban Ras Dumisani From Ever Singing Again", barely a few hours after it went live.
Ras Dumisani has lived in London, Holland, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Israel and West Africa and finally settled in France where he flourished.
BACKLASH AGAINST RAS
LIFE just keeps getting worse for the man who sang Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika at the Springboks' match against France on Saturday.
LIFE just keeps getting worse for the man who sang Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika at the Springboks' match against France on Saturday.
The South African embassy in Paris says Ras Dumisani - real name Alexius Dumisani - got the gig by accident because he was the only South African singer living in France.
The embassy yesterday distanced itself from the "debacle", blaming the French Rugby Union for bringing Ras Dumisani on to the field.
Kgomotso Molobi of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the French Rugby Union had approached the embassy in France in September, asking for a list of South African singers living in the country.
"The embassy had only one name of a South African singer in France and provided the name of his agent to the French Rugby Union. This was not a recommendation since the embassy had had no previous exposure to his performances nor is he a renowned performer," Molobi said.
He said the Midi-Pyrenees Rugby Union in Toulouse asked again a week later for the name of a performer, but the embassy said they couldn't help.
The next thing the embassy knew Ras Dumisani was on the field on Saturday.
"The embassy rejects all claims that the embassy chose or imposed the singer. This was entirely the responsibility of the hosts," Molobi said.
Ras Dumisani, meanwhile, told Sapa yesterday that he had apologised for his performance. "I want to apologise to all the people at home. I find myself disgusted."
He said the match organisers had given him "very old" equipment that distorted his singing.
But the Young Communist League lashed out at Ras Dumisani yesterday, calling him a "chancer, a con artist, a howler of note and a disgrace to our country".
"He must keep singing the anthem, but only in his shower," spokesperson Gugu Ndima said.
The Durban-born reggae singer has had tongues wagging since he delivered his off-key rendition in Paris.
The singer, whose father is of royal descent from Mtunzini, later blamed sabotage for singing off-tune.
Radio stations around South Africa have been bombarded by people complaining about the incident and presenters have had a field day.
By yesterday afternoon more than 600 people had joined a page on Facebook called "Ban Ras Dumisani From Ever Singing Again", barely a few hours after it went live.
Ras Dumisani has lived in London, Holland, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Israel and West Africa and finally settled in France where he flourished.