‘Ras Dumisani vibes’: Saffas drag US anthem singer [video]

US singer Coda Whit trended on social media after South Africans roasted her rendition of the US national anthem. Some have even likened her performance to that of SA singer, Ras Dumisani, who butchered Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika in 2009.

US SINGER GETS ROASTED OVER NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMANCE

The Springboks played the All Blacks for the first time ever, and to mark the historic Greatest Rivalry finale, a US singer, Coda Whit, was invited to sing the American anthem.

Whit – an actress and music artist – performed The Star-Spangled Banner before the fourth and final test match at the M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday, 12 September.

The Baltimore match, which boasted a 68,000 packed stadium, came ahead of the US’s plans to host the 2030 Rugby World Cup. 

While the Boks won 43-28 and claimed the series 3-1, Whit’s performance was the centre of much conversation on social media.

Here’s what X users had to say…

@sboshmafu: “Why is the US anthem being sung at the rugby? And badly too?”

@bakkies93: “Was so awful to listen to. I muted it”

@jpboshoff: “That was rough!”

@FickWillem: “The US anthem came with Ras Dumisani vibes”

RAS DUMISANI’S VIRAL RENDITION OF ‘NKOSI SIKELEL IAFRIKA’

The US singer found herself being compared to Ras Dumisani, who was condemned by South Africans for his dismal performance of the national anthem ahead of the Springboks vs France test match in 2009.

Not only did he sing off-key, but he also forgot some of the lyrics!

Dumisani, however, was unfazed by his performance, which was also chastised by Springbok players like Victor Matfield.

He told the Guardian: “No one told me they were upset with the singing,” he said.

“In fact, someone just came up to me and told me how beautifully I had sung. Everyone at the stadium told me I sang well, even after the match. The Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika has been my tune since I was a baby. How can I not know the words?”

He later admitted his anthem performance was “sabotaged” by organisers.