mzansi
Maredi Mello (Sowetan 11 September 2009) lambastes The Sowetan for using the name Mzansi while there is brand-name called South Africa currently being marketed through the proudly South African campaign. But The Sowetan is not alone in calling this country Mzansi. Our public broadcaster uses the name Mzansi in the motto of one of its stations. In several adverts punting the programs on its channels or celebrating main public events or announcing public and state campaigns\ events the public broadcaster uses the name Mzansi. We even have the Mzansi Awards.
Every time South Africans want to talk in an endearing way about their country they use the name Mzansi. This betrays a lack of attachment and passionate feelings towards the official name. Deep down in their hearts of hearts the government and people of this country know that it is not the indigenous people of this country or a democratic majority that named this country South Africa. They also know that South Africa is a geographic position and not a name.
A truly proud people make use of the platform of political freedom to redefine and name themselves and their country based on the historical-material experiences and their shared dreams. They do not just adopt a name inherited from the colonial masters. The unofficial reference to South Africa as Mzansi is perhaps a cry from below for a real debate and critical action on the renaming of the country. It is a call for the revaluation of our national symbols.
How many South Africans - including those in government - feel uneasy when singing the “Die Stem” part of the national anthem? I have attended several meetings of the structures affiliated to the ruling party and know for a fact that they do not recite the official version of “Die Stem” at their events
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