Dubul’ ibhunu

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Picture of Boers

Dubul' ibhunu, translated as Shoot the Boer[1] or Kill the Boer[2], is a Zulu-language South African struggle song.

History

Boers (Afrikaans) farmers used to beat, whip, kill, rape and exploit black people during Apartheid and even before Apartheid. This song would inspired many black people to defend themselves and stop fearing the white people who brought trauma to them. It was and is still a way to express anti-Afrikaaner control over black lives.[3] White critics of the song state that is calls for and celebrates violence against the minority white population (Afrikaners) in South Africa, whilst supporters of the song state that it is a liberation song that articulates legitimate and non-violent expression of protest that constitutes an important part of South Africa's history.[4] Depending on the interpretation the song might refer to institutional structures such as the National Party dominated apartheid era government of South Africa or any system of white supremacy and racial oppression; or to specific groups of people such as members of the South African Police Force and Army during apartheid, Boer people, Afrikaners, white farmers, or white South Africans generally. It is similar to, although not to be confused with, the controversial slogan "One Settler, One Bullet".[5]

Origins and Reception

The song originates in the struggle against apartheid when it was first sung to protest the Afrikaner dominated apartheid government of South Africa.[6]

In post-apartheid South Africa the song has been most notably sung by then African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema and then South African President Jacob Zuma. Critics of the song such as AfriForum and TAU-SA state the song encourages and can be partly blamed for the problem of violent attacks on South African farms.[7][8]

In 2011 the South Gauteng High Court ruled that the song was discriminatory, harmful, undermined dignity of Afrikaners and thereby constituted hate speech. The court ruled that Julius Malema, who was brought before the court for previously singing the song at a rally, was not allowed to sing it in the future. Following the ruling Malema changed the wording of the song to "Kiss the Boer" and sang that instead. The following year the African National Congress stated that they would not sing the song any more.[9]

Key Lyrics

The repetitive lyrics of Dubul’ ibhunu[10]:

Ayasab' amagwala

awe mama ndiyekele

dubula dubula

aw dubul'ibhunu

dubula dubula

aw dubul'ibhunu


Translation:

The cowards are scared

mother leave me be

shoot shoot

shoot the Boer

shoot shoot

shoot the Boer

Reference

  1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0306422010379686. Louise Gray. 10 September 2010. SAGE Journals. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18125980.2014.893091. Mabunda M. Thompson & Cindy Ramhurry. 7 March 2014. Muziki. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  3. https://mg.co.za/article/2011-05-19-shoot-the-boer-lost-in-translation/. Genevieve Quintal. 19 May 2011. The Mail & Guardian Online. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  4. https://www.sahistory.org.za/sites/default/files/Vuyisile%20Mini%20paper.pdf. Vuyisile Msila. 20 September 2011. www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  5. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2010-03-29-kill-the-boer-a-brief-history/. Branko Brkic. 29 March 2010. Daily Maverick. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  6. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2010-03-29-kill-the-boer-a-brief-history/. Branko Brkic. 29 March 2010. Daily Maverick. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  7. https://mg.co.za/article/2011-09-12-shoot-the-boer-its-hate-speech-says-judge/. Sapa Afp. 12 September 2010. The Mail & Guardian Online. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  8. https://mg.co.za/article/2011-05-19-shoot-the-boer-lost-in-translation/. Genevieve Quintal. 19 May 2011. The Mail & Guardian Online. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  9. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/01/south-africa-spear-machine-gun. David Smith. 1 November 2011. The Guardian. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  10. https://www.iol.co.za/travel/south-africa/english-translation-of-aw-dubulibhunu-479503. 5 April 2010. IOL News. Retrieved January 21, 2021.