Sorry South Africa
Dear South Africa,
On August the 23rd, you trusted me to sing our national anthem, nKosi Sikelel' at the live announcement of our 2011 Springbok Rugby World Cup Squad on SuperSport. What I did with this given task and honor is, I failed, very badly.
I was completely overwhelmed by the enormity of the occasion and I not only flubbed most my lines but I also completely desecrated a moment that was meant to send the Boks off on their next mission with pride and confidence.
Today has been the darkest and longest day of my life. I have spent every waking hour apologising to any and all media and so herewith my final apology, in writing.
To the haters: I get it. I would be mad too, though not quite as murderous as some have expressed, but, I get it, you're angry and rightfully so. I am truly sorry. It was a genuine, nightmare of a mistake.
The SARU: To think that I have not only been likened to but may have even surpassed the last embarrassment you had to endure makes me sick to the stomach and words will never express my shame. For this, I apologise.
To SuperSport: You trusted me to handle this task on live television and, for the first time in my life, I froze and completely messed it up at the expense of your stations credibility. Thank you for allowing me to say sorry in person, on film this morning.
To the Boks: I am honored to call you friends and I am sorry if you in any way feel I disrespected any of you on this most momentous of occasions. Very respectfully, I hope my 'scene' has taken some immediate pressure off you and given you some time to chill away from the negative limelight that has unfortunately consumed me. Congratulations on your selections. I believe each and every one of you are beyond worthy and you have an amazing team of help and guidance to help you go all the way.
To my fans: You have been so amazing and I am lucky to have you in my life during this time. Your combined love and understanding has literally saved me today.
Lastly, to you, the diverse, beautiful people of SA: Please know my heart. I am truly gutted. Theres nothing I wouldn't do take last night back but its done and I pledge that I will do all I can to restore your faith in me as a patriot. Let's focus on the job at hand with our boys abroad and pour positive energy out towards them throughout this campaign and beyond.
Going forward, I will endeavour to correct this mistake. I will sing the anthem again, many times and for the rest of my life. If I flub the lines ever again, know that my heart is singing with the confidence, accent, diction and conviction of every language represented in this most beautifully diverse song.
And now, I'm moving on. What will be, will be. My actions will continue to be my loudest voice and I pray that we continue to live and strive for freedom, peace, love and tolerance ;)
Thanks for reading this.
Peace
Ard
Showing 101 Comments
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Ard - thanks for the apology - these things can happen but you have taken it on the chin and I admire how you"ve made youreself available today to apologise live on all the media formats. As you said, it"s over, it"s done, and it"s time to move on.
August 24, 2011 at 22:35pm - Comment
Why not put out an acoustic version of the anthem for people to download and use as our ringtones during this time when we all need to think of our boys in NZ and keep our country in our hearts! -
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Quit being so hard on yourself Ard :) You"re only human, It could"ve happened to anyone. This will pass soon and everyone knows you"re still a great artist. -Big fan always :)
August 24, 2011 at 22:53pm - Comment -
I dont ever comment on things like this. and actually I"m not even in South Africa I"m living abroad. So as unusual as this is for me I am going to comment! My fist memory of you is sitting in my nephews room and listening to his "cool" new cd which was a Just jinger one. Second memory was an article and photo shoot of you and your then girlfriend/ model. Honestly this is not how I will remember you and I think that the whole thing is super funny! I cant even remember the name of the other guy that every one made fun of when he sang the anthem. The point of my comment is this, my third memory of you will be this, your apology because I think that tihs is the only time where your character and real personality showed through. big up for you man and seriously dont sweat it, people still love joost v der westhuizen and steve hoffmeyer pampoenkop! that says a lot!
August 25, 2011 at 00:16am - Comment -
Shame dude. everyone cocks up once in a while, I feel sorry for you that it happend to you on TV. Any reasonable person would forgive that, and as for the unreasonable ones - let he who hath never cocked up or frozen under pressure cast the first stone.
August 25, 2011 at 07:55am - Comment
-not really a fan, just a logical person -
Hey Ard, it"s human nature to make a mistake. We South African"s should all know that inherenty. Chillax! Anyway. let"s not labour this. I dig "Fire" - great song - and this will hopefully follow us through the RWC to glory and beyond. ps. great gig at Rod and Karen"s spot ;)
August 25, 2011 at 07:57am - Comment -
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I can only imagine how difficult these last few days have been for you. We are all human and make mistakes, and anyone who holds this against you should take a deep look into their own hearts and recognise their own mistakes, which I"d be willing to bet are a thousand times worse than they"d ever admit. Take heart and know that those that matter had already forgiven you the moment it happened. May your star continue to rise.
August 25, 2011 at 08:29am - Comment -
No worries man, not the end of the world, much more important things to worry about in this world. Keep on keepin on!
August 25, 2011 at 09:21am - Comment -
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Ard. you are a brilliant entertainer and artist and most certainly a great ambassador to South Africa. What happened, happened, you have apologized and it is time for the country to move on. If they can"t, well that"s their problem and need to do some soul searching to become better people like you are.
August 25, 2011 at 09:30am - Comment
Strongs man! -
Yesterday is the past. Tomorrow a mystery. May today be your present. in both senses of the word. Awesome apology for those that did not have the grace to hear your spoken one or feel your pain. Peace to you!
August 25, 2011 at 09:49am - Comment -
Ard. you"ve apologised, now stand tall again. You"ve handled it well but I am sure its been a great wake up call to raise the bar
August 25, 2011 at 09:53am - Comment -
Brave man, brave words. I believe you when you say that you"ll sing the anthem "for the rest of my life". Enough said South Africa, lets move on.
August 25, 2011 at 10:24am - Comment -
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Ard, you are still a magnificent singer, and I will still listen to your music.my son just love your music.all will be ok and your fans will still buy your music.Strongs my friend.
August 25, 2011 at 10:49am - Comment -
Hey Ard, You know how good you are. Let"s turn this into a positive. So many South Africans of my age (bloody late forties!) busk the words. So why not offer to teach us the words phonetically? We could turn this into a fantastic LeadSA type thing. It could be very positive. You or your publicist contact me let"s work it out .FAST. This is a fantastic opportunity. My regards,
August 25, 2011 at 10:51am - Comment
Pam -
I am so glad you are done apologising, cause i think your apologies have been gracious and sufficient! (and it really is not that big of a deal- and i say this as a proud south-african, but yesterday 14 kids died in a bus accident, everyday thousands of kids in Somalie die of hunger- tHAT"S A BIG DEAL AND NEWSWORTHY-I think people need a little perspective!) Your reputation as a great artist and an even better person is the only thing that counts. Please dont waist another minute thinking about this! Enjoy the charity concert *
August 25, 2011 at 10:55am - Comment -
Feel you Ard, thanks for the apology. Just so you it"s spelt: Nkosi sikelel" iAfrika
August 25, 2011 at 11:03am - Comment -
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Ard, you are amazing.
August 25, 2011 at 11:17am - Comment
Please perform at Synergy, and sing the National Anthem? I PROMISE we"ll all sing with you.
Thanks for the apology, now it"s time to move on to bigger and greater things.
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From here on in if somebody can"t forgive then the fault lies with them. I just wish the team had jumped in to help. would have been so unreal people would have thought it was scripted :) Peace man.
August 25, 2011 at 11:30am - Comment -
Hey we all stuff up, mostly when we%u2019re singing it in a crowd or in our car%u2026it happens. We know you love your country, your heart is there, even if the words weren%u2019t! Apology accepted :)
August 25, 2011 at 11:43am - Comment -
What"s done is done. Simple as that. We all make mistakes and you have apologised so it is time for people to move on. I think Rouvanne"s idea is brilliant. Record a version that we can all have as our ring tone and make it free to download. Unite behind the Boks!
August 25, 2011 at 11:46am - Comment
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