Dubul' ibhunu
Dubul' ibhulu, translated as shoot the Boer[1] or more literally kill the Boer,[2] is a South African song. It is sung in Xhosa and Zulu.
Critics believe that the song calls for, and celebrates, violence against the white South Africans whereas supporters of the song say that it is a liberation song that articulates an important part of South Africa's history.[3][4] Depending on the interpretation, the song might refer to institutional structures such as the National Party (NP); or to specific groups of people such as members of the South African Police (colloquially known as "Boers") and armed forces during apartheid. [3]
Critics of the song believe it is an example of anti-white racism, which calls for violence against Boers, the wider Afrikaner ethnic group, white farmers, or even white South Africans generally.[3][5]
History
The song originates in the struggle against apartheid when it was first sung to protest the Afrikaner dominated apartheid government of South Africa.[5]
In post-apartheid South Africa the song has been most notably sung by then African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema[6] and then South African President Jacob Zuma.[7] Critics of the song such as AfriForum and TAU-SA state the song encourages and can be partly blamed for the disputed and unproven claim of violent attacks on South African farms owned by white people.[3]
In 2011, the South Gauteng High Court ruled that the song was discriminatory, harmful, undermined the dignity of Afrikaners, and thereby constituted hate speech.[8] The court ruled that Julius Malema, who was brought before the court for previously singing the song at rallies, was forbidden from singing it in the future.[8] Following the ruling Malema changed the wording of the song to "Kiss the Boer" and sang that instead[9] -- however, it can be argued to still have the same psychological influence as the original, due to the well-known context for the altered lyrics. The following year, the African National Congress stated that they would not sing the song any more.[9]
Malema again appeared in court in 2022 for allegedly singing the song in a case brought by Afriforum where the issue of whether or not the song was hate speech was debated.[10]
Lyrics
| Original[11] | English[11] |
|---|---|
| Ayasab' amagwala
dubula dubula ayeah dubula dubula ayasab 'a magwala dubula dubula awu yoh dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula
awe mama ndiyekele awe mama iyeah awe mama ndiyekele awe mama iyo aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula Ayasab' amagwala dubula dubula ayeah dubula dubula ayasab 'a magwala dubula dubula iii yoh dubula dubala aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula
awe mama iyo awe mama ndiyekele awe mama iyo aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula
dubula dubula ay iyeah dubula dubula Ziyarapa lezinja dubula dubula ay iiiyo dubula dubula Aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula Aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula Aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula Aw dubul'ibhunu dubula dubula
Dubula dubula Ay iyeah Dubula dubula Ayasab' amagwala Dubula dubula Ay iyeah |
The cowards are scared
shoot shoot ayeah shoot shoot the cowards are scared shoot shoot awu yoh shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot
mother leave me be oh mother mother leave me be oh mother shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot the cowards are scared shoot shoot ayeah shoot shoot the cowards are scared shoot shoot iii yoh shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot
oh mother mother leave me be oh mother shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot
shoot shoot ay iyeah shoot shoot these dogs are raping shoot shoot ay iiiyo shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot shoot the Boer shoot shoot
shoot shoot Ay iyeah shoot shoot the cowards are scared shoot shoot Ay iyeah |
See also
References
- Gray, Louise (10 September 2010). "Can Music Kill?". Index on Censorship. 39 (3): 112–120. doi:10.1177/0306422010379686.
- Thompson, Mabunda M.; Ramhurry, Cindy (7 March 2014). "A uniting song that divides: A critical analysis of (Kill the Boer)". Muziki. 11 (1): 32–42. doi:10.1080/18125980.2014.893091.
- Quintal, Genevieve. "'Shoot the boer': Lost in translation?". The M&G Online. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- Msila, Vuyisile (20 September 2011). "Mini and the song: The place of protest song in history" (PDF). www.sahistory.org.za. UNISA. p. 13. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- Brkic, Branko. "'Kill the Boer': a brief history". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- Sapa-AFP, Staff Reporter. "'Shoot the boer': It's hate speech, says judge". The M&G Online. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- "Hate speech charge laid against Jacob Zuma". News24. 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- Sapa-AFP, Staff Reporter. "'Shoot the boer': It's hate speech, says judge". The M&G Online. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- Smith, David (2012-11-01). "South Africa: ANC promises to stop singing Shoot the Boer". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
- Masweneng, Kgaugelo (18 February 2022). "Expert witness in hate crime case unpacks use and significance of 'Dubul' ibhunu'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
- "English translation of Aw Dubul'ibhunu | IOL News". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 2019-03-16.
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