Slavery to Liberation- The African American Experience, 2019a

35
setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South
Afrika
Protect South Africa, South Africa
Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,
Afrikaans
Out of the blue of our heavens
Out of the depths of our seas
Over our everlasting mountains
Where the echoing crags resound
Sounds the call to come
together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for
freedom,
In South Africa our land.
English
The national anthem of South Africa in many ways mirrors the unique
transformations of the country. Not only does the anthem combine two different songs
and contain five languages, but it also begins in one melodic key and ends in another.
The combination of these distinct characteristics along with the anthem’s relatable
pulse, alacritous tempo, unique history, and compassionate birth have afforded it much
international recognition including The Economist’s Best National Anthem in the World
award in 2017. Many of these characteristics can be seen in gumboot dancing that
commonly uses different languages, includes a variety of ethnic references in its dance
sequences, and epitomizes the African spirit of Ubuntu, which means “togetherness.”
One of the many contributing factors of gumboot dancing’s continued exposure
and prominence in South African dance culture is its significant presence in the cultural
landscape of the country. Gumboot dancing can be found in all walks of life, including
education. Post-apartheid education saw significant revisions along with an emphasis on
traditional music and dance in schools. An Outcomes Based Education System focused