TikToker asks Afrikaans people to explain "gegebertes" in national anthem
"Oor ons ewige 'gegebertes', Waar die kranse antwoord gee."
One thing all South Africans can agree on is that our country has a beautiful national anthem.
Another thing that we can agree on is that very few of us know all the words or even understand what we're singing.
If you are, however, one of the few who know all the words – congratulations; if not, don't be ashamed. You are not alone.
Kay Mahapa, a TikTok user who frequently goes viral for his hilarious and relatable content, recently confessed that he, too, doesn't really know what he is singing during the national anthem.
He has always wondered about one word in particular—"gebergtes," or, as he would say, "gegebertes."
In a video posted on TikTok, which now has over 1,3-million views, Mahapa asked Afrikaans TikTok users to please explain what the word "gegebertes" means.
"Some of us did Afrikaans in school, but we've never used that word in the entire syllabus of our high school and primary school careers," he said while pleading for help.
"Even on '7de Laan,' they've never used that word in 25 seasons," he added.
Watch here:
@kay_mahapa I’m asking on behalf of everyone here. #southafrica #nationalanthem #satiktok🇿🇦 #afrikaans #mzansicomedy ♬ original sound - Kay Mahapa
Now, if you're like Mahapa and you're still wondering about some words, we've got you covered.
Below is the official version of the national anthem with a translation in English given in brackets from the South African government’s official website:
isiXhosa and isiZulu
Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika(God Bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
(Raise high Her glory)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
(Hear our Prayers)
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo
(God bless us, we her children)
Sesotho
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
(God protect our nation)
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho,
(End all wars and tribulations)
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
(Protect us, protect our nation)
Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika.
(Our nation South Africa - South Africa)
Afrikaans
Uit die blou van onse hemel,
(Ringing out from our blue heavens)
Uit die diepte van ons see,
(From the depth of our seas)
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
(Over our everlasting mountains)
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,
(Where the echoing crags resound)
English
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.