WE HAVE A WINNER!
East Rand electro-pop duo FreakWinSee – Mike Haddon and Hayleigh Chamberlain – has been chosen by you, the voting public, as the winner of the Neo Africa Sing it Loud, Sing it Proud anthem competition.
It’s been an intense competition, with hundreds of entries being received from all over South Africa. There were lots of good ones, some bad ones, and quite a few brilliant ones. But everyone brought something special to their entries, in particular the 10 Sing it Loud, Sing it Proud finalists. Each of their entries was unique, and each stirred the patriotic heart in its own way.
But there can ultimately be only one winner, and with 44% of the votes, FreakWinSee is the clear public favourite. In fact, FreakWinSee – who launched an all-out drive among friends, family and colleagues to garner support – dominated the semi-finalist voting, and strongly led the finalist voting right from the start.
Heartiest congratulations to FreakWinSee on their win, for which they walk away with the grand prize of R35 000 in cash and two tickets to the opening match of the FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa™!
Congratulations to our runners-up: the Maritzburg College choir, who win R10 000, and Melina, who takes home R5 000.
To our other competitors, we would like to thank you sincerely, one and all, for your entries. You have all played your part in encouraging South Africans to stand proud, and your talent and creativity has been inspirational.
Don’t forget now: every time Bafana Bafana take to the pitch in the coming days and our beautiful National Anthem is played, we must all Sing it Loud, Sing it Proud!
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I think Melina Katende has a wonderful voice and will do South Africa proud with her singing of the National Anthem. This young lady is so very talented and is such a good person as well.
ReplyDeletego college
ReplyDeleteMelina you rock! you have the best voice out of everyone :) I subscribed to your youtube page!! hope u win . Brandon
ReplyDeleteYou four guys singing your own harmonies and in tune - you're way - by far - the best.
ReplyDelete... and who are "you four guys"? Maritzburg College, of course!! - Jason
ReplyDeleteAtomza has an amazing voice, I like his rendition. Take it home boy!
ReplyDeleteGo Sfiso, Its yours!
ReplyDeleteZami you are the best... go gal, i know you are a goalgetter....
ReplyDeleteZami u are making cape town so proud.... keep it galll....
ReplyDeleteSfiso, UJ representing, son. no doubt! your no 1 fan, Luzuko. holla!
ReplyDeleteWhen is the next round of voting starting?
ReplyDelete***FreakWinSee*** is singing it Loud and Proud all the way!!! Gooooooooo FreakWinSee. You have my vote!!
ReplyDeleteThe Maritzburg College guys know how to sing. They make me proud to be South African.Beautiful harmonies and no props...just fantastic singing
ReplyDeleteFreakWinSee is sooo cheating! go Maritz Boys . u deserve to win.
ReplyDeleteMelina! You are an amazing singer, I found this link to vote on your yt channel! good luck :)
ReplyDeleteMaritzburg College, your harmonies are simply beautiful and sinmply the best. Take it all the way guys!
ReplyDeleteGo Maritzburg College!!!! You boys sure know how to show those older entrants. We are so proud of you!! You do it so naturally and could actually sing it live at the World Cup. The musicality is spot on - win it boys!!! We're behind you all the way.
ReplyDeleteLeanne
FreakWinSee has got Benoni Highs vote!!! go guys!!
ReplyDeleteFreakWinSee ARE AMAZING & DESERVE TO WIN!! Keep it up guys, your doing amazingly well!! x
ReplyDeleteJust voted :) Goodluck
ReplyDeleteHa great for you guys FreakWinSee you sound real South African with good Spirit . Im sure you will win because even my nerves feel you Vibs. you guys work't hard and deserve it good luck C O P A colleage.
ReplyDeleteFreakWinSee: Amazing sound and upbeat. Great work guys, you've got my vote.Ash.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses for FREAKwinsEE!!
ReplyDeleteDuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuune!!
ReplyDeletefor FreeekwinSEE
YES you put the heart of africa in the beat now thanks FREAK WIN SEE. that should have been done long ago. now its alive ALIVE at last. yessssssssssssssssssssssssfreakwinsee.....
ReplyDeleteGo FreakWinSee we behind you all the way
ReplyDeleteI think FreakWinSee has git it just right. This is what our anthem should sound like in the stadiums
ReplyDeletecollege is the only deservant winner!! Red black white! Nothing else matters!
ReplyDeleteFreakwinsee you sing professional hope to hear that in the stadium when im there.GOD bless you for that.
ReplyDeleteMelina your singing is great BUT we still prefer FreakWinSee cos it suits the whole 2010 vibe - so we voted for FreakWinSee
ReplyDeleteThis is a national anthem not a song with hip hop music. The Maritzburg College rendition is by far the most suitable. The rest of the world will be watching and we need to show respect for our anthem.
ReplyDeleteCollege you are SIMPLY THE BEST and definite WINNERS whether you win this competition or not. You sing our anthem with dignity, respect and incredible harmony. You make yourselves and your School proud.
ReplyDeleteIm glad the public can decide which one they like. Go FreakWinSee you can hear how proud you are of our anthem.
ReplyDeleteYou rock Maritzburg College! Lets show them that KZN rocks and that FREAKwinsee sucks
ReplyDeletethere is only one winner if people are true to quality, soul, emotion, feel...the only really representative voice ZAMI ....it is a pity this competition is being judged by many on friendship and association rather than on vocal ability and that special goose-pimple feel when you know in your heart of hearts this is something special,South African and the need to be representative.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way those freakwin people are getting genuine votes. no offence but they suck!! its such a pity that the vote was put out to the public because clearly they are voting for themselves!! I was going to vote for Maritzaboys or Zami but the unfiarness of this contest has discourage me. Im not even going to bother. this competition suck. and thats coming from a REAL person!!
ReplyDeleteIt is such a shame that the public are going for the superficial sensatinalism of that Pop-sounding Freak entry. I wonder if you would actually like to hear that live at Soccer City against Mexico. Turning a hard-fought-for and moving hymn into another teen "doef-doef" song.
ReplyDeleteL
For a long time now, I have held it close to my heart that the anthem of South Africa as one of the world's best anthems - even better than our own. Whenever I hear it, I think of the 1995 "World In Union/Le Monde Uni" and it brings me almost to tears. The young boys, as well as Zami - portray the Nkosi Sekelela iAfrica with such majestic feeling and harmony that even I would get back onto the international football field, stand lined up with my team and feel the emotion evoked by it. This remix that I hear reminds me of that time when Christina Aguilera "hip-hopped" the Star-Spangled Banner. The magic is just lost. Je suis très heureux pour la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2010,and I can't wait to be there, mais je ne me sentirais pas patriotique à l'écoute de cette chanson. I don't know if the FreakWinseee carries it across. Take away all of the computer-mixing hopskip beats and what do you get? Aller Maritzburg, aller Zami!!
ReplyDeleteMarc Vaughn-Umberg de Ciprioen
part of the criteria in this competition and what will count when the judges tally the votes is originality. while entries like Maritzburg and Zami are beautiful and emotive, they in no way are original. some of the entries, while adding some spice to the anthem as we know it, clearly are mindful about not completely butchering the nation's beloved anthem. but good luck to everyone participating.
ReplyDeleteMaritzburg Boys...You sound absolutely real...no music just your beautiful voices. I am honored and proud to be the mother of a child (two next year) in that beautiful school. Maritzburg College is well know for having the most amazing unity that I have ever seen in a school! All for one and one for all!! Go Boys go....
ReplyDeleteJust had a look at the facebook group. I think melina deserves to win this, her entire song has beautiful harmonies which she has done herself. shes a one woman choir! now thats talent! I also like Martizboys, but the best is Melina no doubt. I happen to be a choir member at my school and it takes a lot to sing different voice parts. go MELINA!
ReplyDeleteI think that these insights can have a greater impact if posted on Facebook? It is great to see us voters actually substantiating our choices and actively contemplating the situation. I think that many voters fly headlong into the beat-ridden freakwnsee clip. Let's go Maritzburg, Zami, Melina - let's decentralize this thing from Joburg.
ReplyDeleteWow, if this is anything to go by - I can't wait for the opening ceremony. I amazed by the talent and colorful musicality of your colleges. Treasure them.
ReplyDeleteIt is evident that block voting is ruining the intent of this contest...the final voting was delayed by three days losing many would-be individual voters. Within a couple of hours of opening one finalist had three figures and regardless of quality some have the backing of large organisations. Either the voting should be extended by the delay or the prize money divided among finalists.
ReplyDeleteThank you! At last, someone who agrees that FreakWinSee must have somehow been tipped off about the delayed opening of the voting. As soon as it opened, they were already on over 200 - how the hell is that?
ReplyDeleteThe SA anthem is a prayer. It has a particular tune. It's correctly sung with their OWN harmonies by the guys from Maritzburg. It's not a pop song with the wrong tune in the opening of the Afrikaans section like FreakWinSee. They show disrespect for the anthem by doing it that way.
ReplyDeleteThis is a national anthem, and whilst the harmonies are open to interpretation, the tune is not. For that reason, FWS should be disqualified. Go Maritzburg College - beautiful, and true to the original!
ReplyDeleteFWS should be disqualified for cheating and disgracing our national anthem!!!
ReplyDeleteThere are two subjects: 1.) mass voting immediately after the delayed semi-final results could be interpreted as a delay to allow some people to get their blocks in place and others to have lost votes - but at least is a total embarassment to the sponsor who has kept very quiet on this mess.
ReplyDelete2.) Traditionalism or not - whereas it started out as a hymn it was totally readapted as the National Anthem. One of the problems with music is that traditionalists think it should become a museum piece where true artists are creative and music is a 'live'art moving with life...classical styles are not representative of South Africa and have minority market appeal.If something is good it is good and should not need justifying.
If it is to be true to anything the anthem should be true to South Africa and carry the flavour and support of all sections of this Rainbow Nation. Whereas there are some good accurate singers in several of the presentations Zami is the only one with true grit and feel and togetherness of South Africa
ReplyDeleteTHe FReeeks Are a true presentation of the SA National anthem??? This Competion Might as Well get Ras Dumisane win it! Guys You Gotta Hear THe Full Version of Zami on youtube!! Just type Zami Mdingi I've Never Felt So Proud Of this Country! Even The Afrikaans part makes sense now!
ReplyDeleteOkay so if we knew this was a not so serious school competition we would not have taken it seriously, its been a waste of time and money. You should have said it was 4 to 16 age group. Freak is useless and Maritzburg a nice but a heard it before attempt. Zami on the other hand is the only true power house in the stable of 10 but unfortunately she left school a few years ago and doesnt have the power of grade 1 to 10. I think everyone else should be awarded 1000 votes to make this competition fair. Come on man lets do it right. Zami for President....
ReplyDeleteWE WANT ZAMI TO WIN BE FAIR SHE IS THE VOICE OF AFRICA...
ReplyDeleteHaving followed this competition with interest from the beginning because it sounded like a wonderful way of building up spirit before the world cup and giving talented South Africans the opportunity to be heard. The organisers haven't adhered to any of the dates set, starting with the entry deadline and continuing with the voting dates. 90% of the top 10 finalists were late entries, Maritzburg College and Freakwinsee being the 2 I remember being on time. What's the point of rules if you don't stick to them? The rules state that contestants must be older than 16.Matriculants are 17/18 years old.The whole country is free to vote so ...?
ReplyDeleteIt is not fair that some of the entrances come from the township and dont have internet to even vote for themselves..there should be radio station that can give ppl a chance to hear the contestants..so people make an informed deceision and vote via sms..Bcos the email thin is not democratic...these people entered to sing not to make campains like polititiacs...Id Be very Dissapointed if Freekwinsee wins and It'll mean theyll be the face of the country's most treasured Anthem..
ReplyDeleteSo its looks like the Freaks are going to win, how strange, how weird, how ridiculous. I SAY NO TO THEM SINGING OUR ANTHEM. Give them the money and burn the recording. Sis
ReplyDeleteTO THE ORGANISERS: PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CHEATERS AT FIRST POSITION! COULD YOU GIVE US JUDGES VOTES ON EACH CONTESTANT SO THAT WE KNOW THE TRUTH. IF FREAK WINS, HONESTLY I WILL BE EMBARRASED TO CALL MYSELF A SOUTH AFRICAN! THEIR VERSION IS DEGRADING AND IT LOSES THE DIGNITY OF THE PRAYER.
ReplyDeleteIts amazing what people will do for money.
ReplyDeleteIf we all gave in to traditionalists we would not have the waltz or jazz or rap or kwaito or computers or cell phones or our new free country. Im glad I have the right to choose.
ReplyDeleteWe can all have our favourites but can anyone in their right minds call it genuine when Freakwinsee currently stand at three times the votes for Melina and TEN times a true talent like Zami...come on sponsors it is not doing anyone's reputation any good...Freakwinsee may have a different approach but the disparity in votes can not reflect the nation's appreciation...just look at the negative comments
ReplyDeleteFreakwinsee sing the wrong tune in part of the anthem - for that reason they shouldn't be a finalist. The way they start the Afrikaans section is an insult to the Anthem and to SA.
ReplyDeleteRemember the fuss and anger when Ras Duminasi messed with the anthem? Freakwinsee's version is in the same category. There is a melody which they have messed with. The rules, apart from the dates and so on, say the contestants must KNOW the words and tune of the anthem. Freakwinsee don't! This is not an example of a wrong chord or one slightly wrong note. it's a whole section that's wrong. No one who CARES about the anthem would vote for them.
ReplyDeleteI want to see the so-called judges report. Did they REALLY make the choice shown in the list of finalists? This competition has been a failure from the start - utterly disorganised and inadequately thought out. The result is a shambles.
ReplyDeleteI fail to see how anyone can cheat in this competition. Some people it seems are just jealous or dont understand the competition. I see FreakWinSee as the most creative interpretation. I hope you guys win.
ReplyDeleteFreakwinsee definately sing loud and proud. you guys rock.
ReplyDeleteFor me this competition is a sad reflection of the musicality (or lack thereof) of the voting public. The current leaders (FWS)do a fine job of butchering our national anthem, and I think it's very sad that the world will be led to believe that that's the best we have to offer. Let's remember that this will be televised around the world, although I hope the judges have the sense to forgo that part of the competition. Well done to those competitors who produced beautiful and creative music without ignoring the basic underlying TUNE...
ReplyDeleteYup, Freakwinsee sing loud and proud, (very loud in fact), just not in tune... let's be honest..
ReplyDeleteI think Freakwinsee should sing it with Ras - imagine the cacophony!
ReplyDeleteone way or the other these votes are fake.. considering the semifinals and finals. the total number of people who voted is not even more than the number of votes from one of the top group.. this competition was supposed to be based on the judge's decision not this crap..
ReplyDelete"A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills and uses these skills to accomplish his goals."
ReplyDeleteGUYS GUYS GUYS, you have all done so amazingly well but what is honestly the point in backstabbing eachothers versions of the SA NATIONAL ANTHEM! YOU ARE ALL FROM THE SAME COUNTRY & should all be proud of eachother for getting so far in the competition!! Its very sad to see how many poeple bitch and backstab eachother. BE HAPPY for eachother!! You are ALL SOUTH AFRICAN and should all be very proud to be that no matter who wins the competition!! STOP WITH THE FREAKWINSEE negative comments!! Its not right and its not fair!! The have done amazingly well and SO HAVE EVERYONE!! Be happy for them and stop trying to bring eachother done ALL THE TIME!! ITS NOT WORTH IT!! Just enjoy the competition and honestly your ment to be a team!! Fair enough you have done different songs but there is NO POINT arguing and backstabbing eachother!! So much for "Sounds the call to come together, and united we shall stand" STAND TOGETHER AND BE PROUD OF SA AND THE COUNTRY!! YOU DO IT TOGETHER!! PLEASE STOP THE BACKSTABBING BITCHIENESS, its ridiculious x
ReplyDelete"A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills and uses these skills to accomplish his goals." THANK YOU!! You have all done so amazingly well and be proud of eachother!!
ReplyDeleteI like the way Freakwinsee sings the SA anthem with a African drum beat to it, never mind what the looses have to say about it, they never came up with something original.
ReplyDeleteFreakwinsee deserve to win. that sounds proudly South African oow it so does. lots of us are going to sing together and remember this version just watch and see.
FREAKWINSEE IS CHEATING AND I CAN PROVE IT!
ReplyDeletei just wanted to see what the fuss was all about. I went to go listen to this freakwinsee's song. lol now I understand what the fuss is about. they suck. its bad no really its bad. Im a good music critic and thats one BAD remix. it SHOULD be sung with Ras Dumisani! lol
ReplyDeleteI went through all clips unlike some of yol. I cn tel u nw tht the deserving entries are melina(has amazing harmonies), mthabisi(has done a tender acoustic version), zami(has a powerful voice), sfiso(has used only his voice to come up with something touching) and maritzburg(young talented kids who have done well.. There you have it. The best in the semi finalist. Chose from there judges.
ReplyDeleteStop asumin that the judges are idiots. They are not. They will chose the best or atleast someone good enough. I like the one with the guitar. Its different. Melina is also a breath of fresh air. Are singing the conventional harmonies and did it nicely. Stop focusing on fighting and look at the good ones.
ReplyDeletein my opinion: 1st - Melina 2nd Maritzboys 3- Zami (all those three are the most talented)
ReplyDeleteI think 1st - Maritzboys , 2nd Melina 3rd Zami
ReplyDeleteOkay there has been enough hating on this page so Im not going to continue with it. I just think, Zami Melina and Maritzboys are the best!! I dont kno why Freakwinsee is leading, I really don't.
ReplyDeleteHey College,
ReplyDeleteYou make me proud!
May the best win, that's you guys.
Keep singing, you lift our spirits!
Robyn
Robyn dont u think College is too typical? I'v heard that kind of anthem many times before. its unoriginal. every school has a choir who can do that. Im just being honest.
ReplyDeleteI very much doubt that there are many schoolboys who can develop their OWN harmonies and sing it perfectly in tune without accompaniment - Maritzburg's may sound typical but it needs to be listened to carefully to hear their unusual and OWN harmonies. It's a very original version - oh, and unlike Freakwinsee, it's the correct tune...
ReplyDeleteJayz
what a pity strong opinions are regarded as 'backstabbing'. Surely if so many South Africans feel the same about Fws there must be something to it. We need to feel proud and moved when we hear the anthem and they, unlike some of the other entrants, don't touch our hearts. The world will be listening and I doubt they will be moved by Freakwinsee either...it's very jarring, especially at the end. The MC boys have a depth and warmth in their sound. Go guys!
ReplyDeleteI don't see any backstabbing here, anonymous ;) just honest comment! To be fair, this is a competition and generally competitors compete, and don't work together. If we want to be proud South Africans we have to admit when we make a mistake, and let's be honest FWS just DON'T get it right - nothing personal. And Dan, if you can prove they are cheating, please do so and save our country's pride!
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that people will insult the judges by saying one of the contestants they chose is bad. Id like to thank the judges and the organiser for letting the people vote for the one they feel is the most creative. Great compitition guys. Thanks again
ReplyDeletefrom my opinion, this competition has been done for pure spirit and patriosim nothing else so i dont see why so many of you are complaining, REALLY....you cannot CHEAT the system as its ONE vote per IP address, the only way people can get high numbers is by having ppl that like them to vote therefore can as ppl to vote for them....WHATS UNFAIR ABOUT THAT? and the judges votes couldnt be buyest, as the contestants were random...im an outsider and went through the rules and regulations. YOU people that have nasty things to say are just jealous that whoever you want to win are not in the lead, get over yourself...NEO owes you NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletethe freaks seriously suck! come on people, appreciate some decent art and vote for Maritzburg College!
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see, once the auditors get involved (which I assume they will, considering the value of the prize), whether the results stand. Could this be a repeat of the Idols fiasco??
ReplyDeleteFSW, FTW
ReplyDeleteFreakWinSee, For The Win
FreakWinSee has an amazing groove, best of luck peeps
ReplyDeleteI agree, I'm not sure this voting system can be correct!
ReplyDeleteFreakWinSee! FreakWinSee! FreakWinSee!
ReplyDeleteCan you actually believe that FreakWinSee is actually winning?! They are a complete humiliation to our country; my TV will be off for the duration of their performance if they win! On the other end of the spectrum, College voices give me goosebumps! I will stand proud with them and sing my heart out if they win. VOTE COLLEGE EVERYONE!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG can you actually believe that FreakWinSee is actually winning actually. I will actually just actually scream if they actually win. Actually I will actually. The tone actually! And the actual drums! Its too much! Its actually too much!
ReplyDeleteGoosebumps! The Maritzburg College boys are simply the best. Well done boys
ReplyDeleteGo Maritzburg College!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMaritzburg College smashed Glenwood on National TV this weekend...... now they can smash everyone else and sing the anthem on INTERNATIONAL TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go College!! ex College boy! class of 2009!
ReplyDeleteFSW rocks you off your socks!
ReplyDeleteGo College boys!!! You make us so proud! Have seen the game on TV too...... pitty i never took my son there...... Go College! Come on everyone, lets all vote for MARITZBURG COLLEGE!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWe love you COLLEGE!! Take it home boys.
ReplyDeleteEast Coasters
Well done College Boys....you sing the Anthem as it should be sung, with great musicality, dignity and pride. Whatever the votes say, you make us proud!
ReplyDeletethere is no way this voting system can be right!!COLLEGE is by far the best - the rest look silly!!
ReplyDeleteMohau, Thabani, Brandon, Phinda - I am so proud of you. I really look forward to hearing you four at Speech Day. Well done boys!!!
ReplyDeleteNo!!! No!!! Freeaks Congradulations for the suckest anthem...And all the deaf people that did not even hear your version but just voted...How did you do it? Cheats!
ReplyDeleteWell done to the artists. You are all really good and I wish you all the best.
ReplyDeleteFreakwinsee I think you guys are really good despite the above comments, they are just jealous and scared. You guys are great artist and should keep up the good work. Not only do you guys have great voices but you also conduct yourself in a respectable manner. Come on every one stop playing dirty by trying to get freakwinsee taken off. They have done nothing wrong, as far as I know being liked is not cheating.
You are all great and even although only one can win you are all winners.
I'm not for anyone but come on freakwinsee are not good at all. Just a thought. I think the other contestants are better but the judges have the final say.
ReplyDeleteMelina is the best!
ReplyDeleteIts easy to manipulate votes. and in this case, I dont want to get anyone in trouble but a certain entrant/group's vote has increased at a certain pace from the begining. that could only mean one thing.... proxys and macros. I dont want to get anyone in trouble but Im an IT specialits and its pretty easy to see whos cheating.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dan! Finally, someone who knows what they're talking about. There's things like "disabling cookies", "using proxy sites" etc. No wonder a particular entrant was sitting at 200 votes AS polls opened. Sad.
ReplyDeleteLeanne
Interestingly, it is now 20h45 and I have logged in and out of this page and the number of votes has changed. This competition was meant to close at 18h00 (was it not - correct me if I'm wrong) so once again the rules have not been applied! Come on guys, this competition is a joke!
ReplyDeletehmmm I see the time on my previous posting says 11h46 am - it is in fact 20h46
ReplyDeletethis competition is ridiculous! clearly freakwin is cheating and I have a feeling the organisers are in on this! who knows maybe it was planned for freakwin to win anyway!! this is competition is really a joke hahahahhahaha!!
ReplyDeleteLOL dan u say u didnt wanna get anyone in trouble but I think u may just have! we all know freakwinsee is cheating! I knew it from the beginning, I just knew it!!
ReplyDeleteHow can they cheat if you can only vote once?
ReplyDeleteI hope the organiser actually see these comments - they'll have a fit, lol. GO MARITZBURG COLLEGE
ReplyDeleteFreakwinsee, went to a large High Schools, Benoni High, there are almost 2000 students, and Alberton High school. They also attended COPA college, and the students of the college are behind them all the way. They are active in their communities, on many different levels Their comuntites are behind them. They have originality.
ReplyDeleteFreakwinsee certainly have originality. Like making up a brand new tune for the Afrikaans and English part of the anthem.
ReplyDeleteAnd how come seconds after voting started Freakwinsee had exactly 200 votes which stayed like that for a couple of hours?
Yay, let's go Benoni Primary!!
ReplyDeleteNow it has come out...this is NOT a music competition to find the best and most repreesentative rendition of the National Anthem but an inter-school/college knock out with organised mass voting for institution pride! The failure of the organisers not to open the voting on time, to allow it to over-run in the semi-finals and by a few hours - rather than a few days to make up their mess - also contributes to it becoming an embarassment or moreso a joke. Anyone winning may be richer in their pockets but will they be richer as people knowing this was not an open result in so many ways? Let's see who goes on to greater success...my guess would be Zami and Melina.
ReplyDeleteGo FREAKWINSEE !!!!!!! I couldn't stand the National Anthem ( so boring and no one ever knew all the words ) until I heard your version. I think you are FANTASTIC . Dont let these other people put you off. They just want to stick to the " SAME OLD , SAME OLD ". You have finally made it come alive for all of us. You ROCK guys. P
ReplyDeletethat about sums it up - people voting for the best National Anthem's accurate interpretation who did not like or respect the Anthem as written! Somebody should explain the difference between arrangement and original composition. The British Rock Band the Nice were blocked from changing the 'second' US anthem, 'America'by its writer - Irving Berlin - because they made changes. Unfortunately the SA Anthem is in the Public Domain.
ReplyDeletefreakwinsee ples dont let history repeat itself. we already had a ras dumisani incident, lets not be embarrassed again. your anthem is baaaad. like seriously baaaad.!!
ReplyDeletewho cares if freakwinsee went to a big highscool? we all went to highschool! and some of the contestants are actually in bigger schools and universities. freakwin dont try to find an excuse for ur cheats!! GO maritzburg and Melina! u guys deserve the prize!
ReplyDeleteMelina, Mthabisi,Zami, Sifiso. Maritzburg are awesome, but they are four and there is only two tickets to the opening match.
ReplyDeletelol, people people people. R35 000 is for neo africa to give away!! come on, i listened to freakwinsee and i think that they sound cool and as a musician myself, i understand why they might have a following.they are catchy and cool. they cant sing the anthem at a stadium, but neither can William, Macy Grey, or Micheal Bolton who once butchered the US anthem.
ReplyDeletei entered the competition myself, but tell you what...i dont care if i dont win. all of you are just acting like greedy people. the money is not yours!!
SPONSORS!!!!!!! PLEASE GIVE THIS PRIZE MONEY TO SOME ORPHANAGE>>>>PLEASE!!!! THEY NEED IT MORE THAN ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW BEING CONSUMED BY HATRED AND GREED!!! THE ANTHEM REPRESENTS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT HERE!!!! GROW UP!!!!
3am SA time and I see the voting is STILL open.. come on organisers, get your act together. Why have rules if you're not going to stick to them?
ReplyDeleteIf anyone would wins this competition on good behavior that would be Freakwinsee, they never bad mouthed anyone. "united we shell stand" you have my true support. never mind what happens the end of the day your song will still be heard through out the world. Melina & Maritzburg College love it just as much, soon they will be singing with everyone else. most of the times Hyme is old fashion. we all need to pep things up.
ReplyDeleteIf FWS were cheating I would think their vote count would be considerably higher. FWS sit on 44% and the college on 33%.
ReplyDeleteThe same cheating rule may apply to the college too. They are a college afterall so I would assume they would have access to people who could make this happen for them.
"Dan the it-man" clearly does not lean in favour of FWS so you gotta wonder whom he is in favour of...did you cheat for the college Dan? Mmm.
I know FWS and both of them are honourable kids who simply live for the vibe of music. Its what they and all their friends do. And they would not know where to begin to start rigging this thing.
Congrats FWS. You have a cult groupies already :)
I don't think the money is the main incentive here, rather the honour of singing the anthem for their country at an historic occasion. THat's the bottom line. THANK YOU NANDI FOR POINTING OUT THAT EVERYONE COMES FROM A SCHOOL COMMUNITY INTO WHICH THEY COULD HAVE TAPPED. People don't enter competitions to lose so stop the whinging and whining and finger-pointing and just support your favourites. If people have cheated it'll come out in the end and their victory will be tainted
ReplyDeleteI really dont know what to say, these posts are sad - I am very close to Hayleigh and Mike, FreakWinSee. They are both musically trained and driven - they waited by there pc for the voting to open and hit it running - it is a competition and they have simply competed - they aspire to be like the BlackEyedPeas and it shows. It may not be the perfect rendition of the anthem, but they sung it loud and proud, I know for a fact they have talent and spirit like all South Africans. FWS-FTW
ReplyDeleteJohn C
I dont think that cheating is the thing here, as a contestant you do want to win, else why enter...from the beginning the cut off dates and times havent been followed...maybe it because of this that there is such a huff about cheating. i think everyone played fair and the comments about cheating should be dropped. i agree that the National Anthem should be something respected but if the public likes Freakwinsee then thats their choice. once again, if the cut off times and dates were followed by the organisers then im sure this whole situation could have been avoided. Congrats to all the top contestants...you deserve your achievements.
ReplyDeleteinorder to select a clear winner I think live performances should be held. This would be beneficial to neo africa as the winners of the competition are required to perform live at some stage and I feel that would seperate the studio enhanced acts from the real musically talented individuals
ReplyDeleteHi Yall.. would like to thank everyone who voted for me...WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR ME HAVING TO MEET STRANGERS TRYING TO GET VOTES SINGING FOR THEM, HANDING OUT FLYERS..tHE VENUES THAT ALLOWED ME TO PERFORM, PEOLE THAT HAVE CRIED...MOSTLY MY PRODUCER WHO DID AN BIGGER THAN LIFE TRACK..THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WHICH NOT ONLY WAS BEAUTIFUL TO SING BUT THE MEANING AND ITS HISTORY..NEO AFRICA FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY...ALL THE CONTESTANTS THAT ENTERED WERE BRAVE...MAY THE WINNER ENJOY THE PRIZE AND WAVE THE FLAG HIGH AT THE WORLD CUP..IF YOU WANT TO HEAR MORE OF MY MUSIC GO TO www.codamusic.co.za Feel It!Pls stop hating guys!! wont help
ReplyDeleteDan the IT expert (He claims to be) has NOT PROVED anything except how easy it is to put up a smoke screen. I could claim to be Nelson Mandela and say that I KNOW there has been cheating by any one of the entrants, would you all believe me. Probably not because that’s a bit too obvious.
ReplyDeleteIf the voting times were different from what were stated, they were different for everybody, not just for the current leaders, if you claim that people have been using their schools colleges or friends to vote for them, that is probably true, that is why the GENERAL PUBLIC can vote, it opens it up to everybody. So if you are not in the lead it is because you did not get the votes, and it is just sour grapes when you start making unsubstantiated comments about teams or individuals who have more votes. If You DAN can substantiate before a court of law what you are saying, then put up or shut up. And finally, I don’t like RAP or HIP-HOP, but that does not give me the right to condemn others who do, and if a hip-hop or rap version of the anthem is the one that is chosen by the voters, then so be it, I will be out-voted. So by extension, there is a lot of talent from most of the entrants, Zami, Melina and Maritzboys have been mentioned as very talented, and they all have different styles and versions, but Freakwinsee have got the votes, that is called democracy, and THAT is what we are all striving for in this country. So if your choice didn’t get voted in THAT’S DEMOCRACY.
Ewan
Well said Zami, that is the spirit of the competition, whether you win or lose this particular competition, you will always be a winner with that attitude.
ReplyDeleteEwan
Love your neighbors
ReplyDeleteThere has been a fair game in these parts. Francois Pienaar would agree
ReplyDelete...enough
ReplyDeleteI agree Simon. It's starting to get ridiculous
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard murmurs of this competition and wonderful opportunity, I spent a long time picturing performing at the opening ceremony. Before the competition and prize was clearly established, the vision that rang in my mind was the gift of having the opportunity to sing for my own country at an International event. It is only after the entry had gone that it became clear that an opportunity to physically sing for Banfana and SA was not exactly on offer - but the entry was there for the appreciation of music nonetheless. Yet I have sat here looking at this forum, with a growing sense of sadness. You attack us all, as the finalists, personally when we have only given our interpretation of a Beloved song to you. You attack us for being school children. If that into which we have put our hearts does not appeal to you, it is not up to you to discourage others from appreciating our efforts by this negativity that burden's the site. So what if the younger entrants are both from big, proud schools? I will tell you now that if I had gone and forced people that are in connection with my school to vote for our entry, just for the sake that they are part of the school, the results would be obscured. To tell you the truth, Maritzburg College has the country's biggest active Alumnus Fraternity - thousands of Old Boys who would give their lives for this great school. An Old Boy of the Class of 1933 even drove himself down from JHB for our Reunion Day - now tell me, if we supposedly rallied "allied" votes, wouldn't the tally be standing at at least 11 000? All I could do was to appeal to people to recognise NeoAFRICA's initiative and go to the site in order to appreciate great talent that shows our country's diversity. Call our entry "traditionalist", but I rest in the fact that when I sing - when I am afforded the opportunity to add to harmonious creation...I am at peace. Melina, well done and thank you. I loved your harmonies and the fact that it was all you. Zami, well done and thank you. I loved the African feel, the roundness of the sound. And to Hayleigh and Mike of FreakWinSee, thank you and well done for rocking some bitter people's boats out there and blessing me with your new and vibe-full rendition. I can now sleep at night knowing that, even though some of the people out there cannot accept it - Melina, Zami, FreakWinSee and Maritzburg College (and everyone else that entered) showed South Africa it's diversity. I am glad the polls are closed and those brimming with negativity can move along. All I have to say is: FEEL IT, IT IS HERE!!! Is that not what was primarily intended? Bringing us together in order to welcome the world?
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, too, to Loyiso Bala and Leanne Manas for adding to the grace of this competiton.
What really strikes me is how sporting the contestants themselves are, like Mthabisi, Mohau and Zami. Take a bow, you guys - you set a great example to all of us with your lovely attitude to this competition and to each other.
ReplyDeleteIf I wer One of the judges no1 Zami, 2 Linda and Chad, 3 college...sorry just had to say it from my ear! definitely not gonna hapen like that though...
ReplyDeleteWe would like to give a big thank you to Neo Africa for the great opportunity to participate in this competition, to all the other entrants, who delivered beautiful renditions of our Anthem and to all the voters who supported the competition. Thank you
ReplyDeleteMike and Hayleigh.
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