Kurt Darren’s performance at the DA conference over the weekend has been widely criticised.
Images via Instagram: @kurtdarren/ Twitter @our_da
‘Cultural appropriation: Kurt Darren dragged over DA gig [watch]
‘John Vuli Gate’ part two? Kurt Darren’s rendition of a popular Mafikizolo track at the DA Congress had many Twitter users cringing…
Kurt Darren’s performance at the DA conference over the weekend has been widely criticised.
Images via Instagram: @kurtdarren/ Twitter @our_da
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been criticised for everything from its elected leader – John Steenhuisen, again – to its entertainment, Afrikaans singer Kurt Darren.
Not for the first time, the latter performed at the party’s congress over the weekend.
But not everyone was feeling his Afro-Afrikaans fusion musical performance. In fact, some went as far as to accuse him of cultural appropriation.
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DA PUNTS ITS ‘PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN’ ENTERTAINMENT
Over the weekend, the DA held a two-day conference in Midrand, Johannesburg. The meeting was to announce its new leadership, namely John Steenhuisen.
Entertaining the “diverse” crowds were local singers Lloyd Cele, Vicky Sampson, and Kurt Darren.
Vicky sang her famous anthem African Dream, whilst Kurt and Lloyd performed an interesting rendition of Mafikizolo’s Ndihamba Nawe.
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Kurt Darren’s song was a cover of the hit song with his own twist. The singer’s version – Kom Bietjie Hier – was recorded in 2009 and then again with the Soweto Gospel Choir in 2020.
The official Twitter account of the DA tweeted: “Proudly South African entertainment is lighting up the stage in Johannesburg today at the largest #DAcongress2023 in history.”
Here’s a look at his performance at the DA congress…
‘OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY’ SAYS TWEEPS OF KURT DARREN
Meanwhile, Twitter users shared their thoughts about Kurt Darren’s performance, which wasn’t kind.
Many tweeps lamented the party for being “out of touch” and “ignoring” their “young, female and black” members.
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Here’s what a few had to say.
@ShanMoff: “‘Kom bietjie hier’? I don’t remember that in the original.”
@wiesiede: “Cultural appropriation used, as usual, to pretend you are inclusive whilst showing you are just performing.”
@WamuwiM: “That blue party opened its congress with an unfortunate medley (including an appearance from Kurt Darren) that ended with Vicky Sampson doing that tired Rainbow Nation staple, African Dream. It tells you everything you need to know about their apprehension of the future.”
@KiblinFlinn: “Very pushed and unnatural. I hope one day you can truly integrate with the African people on the ground.”
@Vince_Banks: “If your best run conference highlights the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Pata Pata, Kurt Darren, & Ndihamba Nawe, you are out of touch with reality. You are also clueless & have no real plan for where you’re headed. The future is young, black, female & vibrant. Again the DA has lost the plot.”
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