A controversial song about ANC Youth League president Julius Malema goes on sale on Thursday, but radio bosses are mulling over whether to give the song, by Maskandi group Izingane Zoma, air time.
The song uMalema, which questions the league president’s “disrespectful” behaviour, has sparked debate around the issue of freedom of speech.
Sung in Zulu, it calls on leaders to reprimand Malema and questions how he was brought up.
Several radio stations, including uKhozi FM, have dragged their feet in playing the song. The station’s manager, Bonga Mpanza, refused to comment on Wednesday.
Izingane Zoma’s producer, Shobeni Khuzwayo, said he had given the song to several stations.
“If they do not play the song, they will have to give us an explanation for why they have decided against it.”
Khuzwayo said the song came at a “relevant time” in the country when Malema and the rest of the league’s executive committee had been suspended by the ANC.
Malema was handed a five-year suspension for contravening the ANC’s constitution by sowing division within the party, bringing the party into disrepute and sowing racism or political intolerance.
On first learning of the song, the league had threatened to take the group to court. League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa was quoted saying: “If they release that stupid song, we will hit them hard.”
However, on Wednesday, league spokesman Floyd Shivambu said the organisation was not interested in “tribal songs”.
“Before you even carry on further, the league is not interested in tribal songs. All I can say is that we are not interested in that song,” he said.
The maskandi group rose to fame when they produced the hit Msholozi, praising President Jacob Zuma when he faced corruption charges.
Freedom of Expression Institute director Elston Seppie said not playing the song would infringe on the rights of the group to express themselves.
“The song should not be banned unless it incites violence and causes harm.
“It would be strange if the song is not played, because it will mean that it is a pre-publication banning,” said Seppie.
Some of the song’s lyrics, translated into English, are:
“No one will be able to rule this country if things carry on this way.
Malema has become a problem child who is disrespectful to the leaders.
The leaders must reprimand Malema – he is disrespectful.
We wonder what kind of upbringing he has had.
Do not create problems for yourself Malema, or else you will get your marching orders.
We wonder what kind of upbringing he has had.” - Daily News