Bok van Blerk

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Bok van Blerk, born Louis Pepler, is a controversial South African musician who sings in Afrikaans. He became famous in 2006 for his rendition of "De la Rey" by Sean Else and Johan Vorster.[1]

Contents

[edit] Early life and career

Van Blerk went to Hoërskool Die Wilgers (school) in Pretoria.[2] After his study he spent time working abroad.[1]

In March 2006 Bok van Blerk and the Mossies released the album Jy praat nog steeds my taal (You still speak my language). The same album was rereleased in October 2006 under the name De La Rey and solely credited to Bok van Blerk. According to Van Blerk "and the Mossies" was removed because his fellow singer, Tanya van Graan, was too busy with modelling. Van Blerk is accompanied by Jaco Mans (and occasionally Manie van Niekerk) on lead guitar, Francois Coetzee on bass guitar and Nathan Smit on the drums.[1]

[edit] "De la Rey" controversy

Transvaal vierkleur flag with patriotic inscription
Transvaal vierkleur flag with patriotic inscription

On 6 February 2007 the South African Department for Arts and Culture's issued a statement regarding the song "De la Rey" (which is a tribute to Koos de la Rey) regarding the controversy that arose due to the popularity of the song with right-wing Afrikaners, who interpret the lyrics as a call to armed battle.[3] [4] At some of his concerts some audience members have flown the old South African flag and the Transvaal Vierkleur. The Orange Free State Vierkleur is shown in the De La Rey video as part of the period scene depicted in the song and video. In a Huisgenoot article the magazine challenged Minister Pallo Jordan to comment on the song and the message it is said to contain. In the statement the Department deplored the possibility that the song could be hijacked by right-wing circles, but wished the singer good luck. The Minister also stated that he has no problem with protests or mobilisation from the opposition, as long as they occur within the framework of the law.[5] [2]

Van Blerk himself says that he does not identify himself with the old South African flag, nor does he want to be associated with it. But he does promote Afrikaans and has refused to participate in the concert organised by the 94.7 Highveld Stereo radio station because of their policy not to play Afrikaans music.[6] He also makes it clear that he does not side with the Boeremag, that he does not believe violence to be a solution to problems and that General De la Rey was pro-peace.[2] Koos Kombuis also points out that Van Blerk's rugby-song is about a coloured rugby player, Bryan Habana.[7]

[edit] De La Rey album

On 19 February 2007 Van Blerk was granted the award for the best musical video in the first MK89 awards, for the De La Rey video.[8]

The songs on the album De La Rey (Jy praat nog steeds my taal) are:

  1. De la Rey
  2. Praat nog steeds my taal
  3. Vodka en OJ
  4. Hatfield Jol
  5. Die Bok kan blêr
  6. Lenteblomme
  7. So waai die wind
  8. Stuk van jou
  9. Op Walvisbaai
  10. '68 Chevy
  11. Katie
  12. Girls in bikinis
  13. Habana!

Released: 2005, production: Mozi Records, distribution: Select Music.

[edit] External links

He has a new CD out with the title "Ons vir jou Suid-Afrika"

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c ,Tanya de Vente (Vrouekeur) "Bok van Blerk, 'n bok vir sports, accessed 23 February 2007
  2. ^ a b c Rapport, Hanlie Retief gesels met Bok van Blerk, accessed 23 February 2005
  3. ^ Song Wakens Injured Pride of Afrikaners, Michael Wines, The New York Times, 27 February 2007
  4. ^ Afrikaans singer stirs up controversy with war song by Chris McGreal in Johannesburg, The Guardian, 26 February 2007
  5. ^ DKK, Ministry of Arts & Culture on Bok Van Blerks’s Supposed Afrikaans “Struggle Song,” De La Rey and Its Coded Message to Fermenting Revolutionary Sentiments., accessed 23 February 2007
  6. ^ Die BurgerBok sê aikôna vir ou landsvlag én 94.7, accessed 23 February 2007
  7. ^ Litnet Bok van Blerk en die bagasie van veertig jaar, accessed 23 February 2007
  8. ^ MK89 Die MK Awards – Al Die Wenners, accessed 23 February 2007