The South African national anthem can sometimes seem a lot like post-apartheid South Africa. A mesh of two songs jammed together, it can feel awkward, a negotiated settlement that no one’s really happy with. But at other times it can become a poignant symbol of national unity.
In the hands of those involved #FeesMustFall protests though, it’s become something much more powerful. Perhaps for the first time in its history, this awkward, cobbled together song has become an anthem of protest and resistance.
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The latest example of this came in the form of a group of Stellenbosch students singing the anthem in the early hours of the morning:
One of the most powerful moments of unity in my life! This was roughly at about 1am this morning! #maties #unity #feesmustfall #historymakers
Posted by Juvan Julie on Thursday, October 22, 2015
The anthem has been used extensively throughout the protests, perhaps most notably by the protesters who marched on Parliament on Wednesday as they ran from police firing stun grenades.
