Shakira's World Cup song met with criticism

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Shakira's World Cup song met with criticism

3News NZ

Shakira

Shakira

It seems New Zealand isn't the only country using imported material to create their World Cup anthem.

FIFA has released its official song for the upcoming Football World Cup in South Africa, but it's not striking the right chords with South African fans.

The new song 'Waka Waka - Time for Africa' was officially rolled out by radio stations across South Africa on Thursday. It is a collaboration between Colombian pop star Shakira and South African band Freshlyground.

On radio DJ Jenny Cryws-Williams' radio show, the lines lit up when the song was first aired on Thursday.

Many listeners were calling in to voice their disappointment that Shakira, a non-South African, had been chosen to record the song.

Cryws-Williams believes that the FIFA World Cup is a South African event and therefore should be sung about by local talent.

"We (are) going to put on a fantastic World Cup, why don't we have South Africans doing it for us?" says Cryws-Williams.

Others were more direct about their disapproval of the song.

"It's horrible, it sucks. I'm not standing for it, I mean, what is our president doing about it?" says Lindi Munonde, a resident of Johannesburg.

However other Johannesburg residents believe that by using international singers the song reflects the global attraction of the World Cup.

"The soccer World Cup is not just about South Africa, it's about South Africa hosting it, and bringing the world to South Africa" said Heidi Botes.

Shakira and Freshlyground will perform the song at the World Cup kick-off concert in Soweto, South Africa, on 10 June.

American singer Alicia Keys will also perform at the concert.

FIFA's original line-up for the kick-off concert was criticised by South Africa's government, which said that it didn't include enough local performers.

APTN / 3 News

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Comments

7/05/2013 3:29:21 a.m.

Maxman wrote:

In my opinion, world cup shakira song was very interested although not talks about the host country, but all african countries

12/09/2011 5:30:25 p.m.

Lilly wrote:

SOOOOO COOL! LOL!

1/08/2010 3:45:42 a.m.

mohammd reza wrote:

hi my name is mohammd reza i reaiiy downloads song (shakira)

20/07/2010 10:19:31 p.m.

Aatiqa wrote:

That is the best song of the world cup.
plz forword me a title song of world cup.

19/07/2010 8:21:34 p.m.

sarah wrote:

hi ! im sarah I really love footbal I live in iran and i will be happy to be with you

16/07/2010 3:30:12 p.m.

sujon wrote:

a great song

12/07/2010 11:20:30 p.m.

furkan wrote:

thanks

17/06/2010 9:48:47 p.m.

TB wrote:

Sorry for South Africa. No blame at all.Point of thick culture and the bloody past history,ever dehumanising.The wound healed but an injury kept irritating.Let the whole world work to heal the injury too. And Shakira made a golden attempt.

12/06/2010 11:57:18 p.m.

Mark wrote:

Where do you get this rubbish from, the song is huge in South Africa, where i work in SA we were playing the song and dancing to the song yesterday in our offices, one of my African co workers emailed me the words, i have it as my ring tone, its on the radio all the time, people end thier Facebok Status updtes with Waka Waka, dont try and make a story thats not there to make news when for once this country is really united, its so great to be South African right now and your just so jeleous cause your not here. Waka Waka

12/06/2010 10:15:44 a.m.

EA wrote:

I agree with LJ, the World Cup is about diversity, and personally I really like the song both in English and Spanish.