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André Rieu refuses to speak Afrikaans

Johannesburg – André Rieu, King of the waltz and musical hero to many South Africans, still refuses to speak a word of Afrikaans or even Dutch onstage. 

The Dutch violinist is visiting South Africa for a second time with his Johann Strauss Orchestra and their passionate performances. Rieu has achieved record sales through his DVDs in South Africa.

Last year already many of his fans asked why Rieu did not speak a word of Afrikaans or Dutch on stage.

He has toured across the globe, always making an effort to speak at least a word of the language of the country in which he is touring.

Rieu is aware that many of his fans in South Africa are Afrikaans speaking and that they are able to understand the Dutch heard on the DVDs.

Country's demographic

When Volksblad asked Rieu in an official enquiry why he does not speak Afrikaans or Dutch onstage in South Africa, he said: "No comment."

Rieu is planning another tour to South Africa in 2012 where according to his agency's spokesperson Anneke van der Westhuizen, he will be performing in the Coca-Cola Dome.

"He wanted to make it easier for his fans to travel to the show, because not everyone will be able to travel all the way to Sun City. He also hopes to then see an audience that is a better representation of the country’s demographic."

Rieu has said that he would like to see an audience that is 50% black and 50% white. Last year, he asked the Bloemfontein Children's choir to perform with him in his hometown of Maastricht in the Netherlands. His condition that the choir should consist of 50% black members, was heavily criticised.



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