RAS Dumisani’s rendition of our national anthem made me nostalgic and had me in stitches (“Anthem debacle raises storm of criticism, anger”, The Herald, November 17) as it reminded yours truly of the patrons at Lydia’s Shebeen in New Brighton’s White Location. They sang far better when tipsy than our own “Eric Donaldson” who must have had serious abdominal pain (the way he was wincing while singing) or auditioning for the next Pink Panther franchise!

I hope Steve Martin was watching that talented comedian. – Luyanda Marlon Kama, KwaDwesi, Port Elizabeth.

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THE national anthem debacle in Toulouse last week is akin to the national flag being flown at half-mast.

It is only right and fitting for a wounded anthem to be played for a wounded country, and here I am not talking about the score. – JJ Ossher, Uitenhage

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REGARDING singing of the national anthem in tune I am in the process of finding out whether I can do a free MP3 of the melody of the national anthem (is there a copyright on it?) partly for the following reason:

One can get microphones that pull the pitch of the singer to the pitch of the melody electronically. The singer always sings in tune as long as the backing track has a melody.

As I compose free tunes I wish to do a free MP3 tune (along the lines of my free tunes at http://www.ilike.com/artist/ Swayseeker/) of the national anthem that singers can use. – Eddie Miller, Central Hill, Port Elizabeth