Pay channel Supersport may have apologised for Ard Matthew's "embarrassing" rendition of the national anthem, but parliament's portfolio committee on sport and recreation yesterday issued a formal reprimand.
The committee had demanded a meeting with both the broadcaster and the South African Rugby Union to discuss the incident, but it was postponed late yesterday. No reasons were given and no new date was set.
Matthews stumbled at the start of his rendition of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika during a special live broadcast to announce the 30-man Springbok World Cup team.
In a scathing statement, the committee said the national anthem had to be treated "with the dignity and respect it deserves", adding that this incident was preceded by others, which went "against the goal of uniting the country".
"As a committee, we do not find joy in witnessing [displays that embarrass] the country, in an event that was witnessed by the whole nation. This embarrassing incident occurred at a moment when we were celebrating the victory of the Springboks (against New Zealand)."
Matthews, the lead singer of Just Jinger, has apologised on Twitter .
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