CONTROLLING MUSIC – A DANGEROUS COURSE IN 2025

In 2025, South Africa remains deeply divided over the legacy of apartheid-era songs, reigniting debates around free speech, historical trauma, and political resistance. The controversial freedom song "Ayesaba Amagwala" ("Cowards Are Afraid"), which includes the lyric "dubula ibhunu" ("shoot the Boers"), continues to fuel tensions. The ANC defends it as cultural heritage, while critics condemn it as hate speech—a debate that mirrors global struggles over music, memory, and justice.

The song resurfaced when Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led supporters in chanting it during protests over land reform and economic inequality. The lyrics, originally tied to anti-apartheid resistance, now collide with modern South Africa’s fragile racial reconciliation. Courts have ruled the phrase "dubula ibhunu" unconstitutional, but the ANC and EFF argue that banning it erases history and stifles free expression.

This controversy isn’t isolated. Worldwide, governments are tightening controls on music under "hate speech" laws, algorithmic censorship, and political pressure. In the U.S., legislators have targeted rap lyrics as criminal evidence, while authoritarian regimes silence dissent through music bans. The rise of AI-driven content moderation further complicates matters—who decides what’s "dangerous" art?

Music has always been a weapon of resistance. From slave spirituals encoding escape routes to punk rock mocking dictators, songs mobilize the oppressed. But in 2025, the battlefield has expanded: streaming platforms, social media algorithms, and AI-generated music reshape how dissent spreads. The question isn’t just what we sing—but who controls the soundtrack.

The Science of Sound and Society  

Studies confirm music’s psychological impact—whether rallying crowds or inciting violence. Militaries use sound as a weapon; corporations deploy earworms to manipulate consumers. Yet attempts to "sanitize" music ignore its role in confronting injustice. Banning a song won’t end inequality, just as censoring hip-hop won’t stop police brutality.

Freedom Songs or Fuel for Conflict?  

The ANC insists "Umshini Wami" ("Bring Me My Machine Gun") honors liberation struggles. But in 2025, as economic despair grows, such songs take on new urgency. Land redistribution remains unresolved, and racial tensions simmer. Meanwhile, global far-right movements weaponize their anthems, from neo-Nazi bands to authoritarian pop.

The Global Threat to Musical Dissent  

If South Africa criminalizes lyrics, what stops other nations from banning anti-war punk, anti-capitalist rap, or LGBTQ+ anthems? Music platforms already suppress "controversial" content—often silencing marginalized voices first. The real danger isn’t the song itself, but who gets to label it "dangerous."

The Future of Music  

As artists navigate AI, censorship, and political backlash, one truth remains: music is power. The sounds of 2025 will reflect our struggles—whether for freedom or control. So ask yourself: What music will you make? And more crucially—*who will try to stop you?*

Allen L. Johnston  

The Music Specialist  

www.asha.com