$1.8-Million ‘Peace Song’ Widens Rift Among S. Africans
A multimillion-dollar “peace song” unveiled by the South African government on state-run television this morning drew mixed reviews, from “nice” to “thundering flop.”
The song idea, based on the “We Are the World” fund-raising effort, was intended by the government’s Bureau for Information to bring South Africans together.
But its $1.8-million cost touched off waves of indignation.
“Together, We’ll Build a Brighter Future” was aired on breakfast television after weeks of ballyhoo by the Bureau for Information.
Opposition spokesman Peter Soal of the Progressive Federal Party said the song squandered taxpayers’ money and is typical of the “arrogance and incompetence” of the ruling National Party.
Said Adele Lucas, a promotions consultant: “The song was nice and warm, with a Bob Geldof feel about it.”
Muntu Myeza, speaking for the Azanian People’s Organization, said the recording was a “thundering flop, a ridiculous anti-climax.”
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