[VIDEO]: the National anthem for dummies

Only half of South African school learners say they know all the words to the national anthem.

 

This according to consumer insights company Pondering Panda, which interviewed 4185 learners between the ages of 13 and 24, across South Africa, in response to the government’s announcement that it would spend R34 million to put the South African flag up at schools across the country and fund the teaching of the national anthem. 

The survey found that only 50% claimed to know all the words to the national anthem. In comparison, 20% said they knew most of the words, and 27% said they knew some words, but still struggled with the national anthem. 

Reaction to this question was consistent across demographic groups.

Despite the fact that many learners were not confident in their knowledge of the national anthem, the survey found that they were overwhelmingly patriotic in their outlook on South Africa. More than 4 in 5 (84%) said they were proud to be South African, compared to just 8% who said that being South African wasn’t important to them, and another 8% who said they would rather live somewhere else. 

There were no significant differences of opinion among demographic groups.

Respondents were then informed about the government’s spending plans regarding teaching the national anthem and putting up the South African flag in schools. Almost 3 in 4 learners (72%) felt it was a good idea, compared to 26% who felt it was a waste of money. 

There were once again no significant differences of opinion across age, gender or race groups.

Shirley Eadie, spokesperson for Pondering Panda, said, “Many learners, across the demographic spectrum, struggle with South Africa’s national anthem – and not for lack of patriotism. 

With five languages represented in our national anthem, learning the words is difficult, and it’s clear that the national anthem has not been effectively taught in many schools. 

Nonetheless, there is a strong feeling of patriotism among South African learners, and the government’s initiative has gotten the stamp of approval from learners. 

They want to learn the national anthem and see our flag in their schools.

It also gives our political leaders the reassurance that patriotic initiatives will be well-received by young people. This is one area where young people clearly support government spending.”

Interviews were carried out both on cellphones and online between the 21st and the 27th of July, across South Africa, excluding deep rural areas. 

Responses were weighted to be nationally representative in terms of age, gender and race. Pondering Panda conducts surveys via a variety of digital media, including the Mxit social network and Panel Services Africa’s (PSA) online panel. 

PSA uses responsive surveys (accessible via mobile phones, computers and tablets) to conduct interviews with their panel and respondents are incentivised for each survey they complete. On Mxit, interviews are conducted through an interactive app on mobile phones. 

The app is available for both feature phones and smartphones, and is accessible on more than 3000 different mobile handsets. Respondents opt-in to surveys voluntarily and are not incentivised.

 

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