The South African military brass band played Tyla's 'Water' at the State of the Nation Address outside Cape Town City Hall.
Image: X
South Africa’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) took an unexpected pop culture turn on Thursday, February 12, when the national military brass band played “Water” by Tyla ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address at Cape Town City Hall.
While the moment may have been intended as a nod to the Grammy-winning global star, it sparked mixed reactions online.
A video shared on X by broadcast journalist Mandy Wiener captured the band’s performance, with a caption pointing out the irony of the song choice amid South Africa’s ongoing water crisis.
The military brass band standing outside Cape Town City Hall during the State of the Nation Address.
Image: Vuyile Madwantsi
Some fans were thrilled to hear Tyla’s chart-topping hit performed at such a major national gathering.
“I thought I was hearing things, but ‘Water’ by Tyla was really played by the army band at the SONA right now 😭😭,” commented @rkivescortis.
“Why is a band playing a song titled water a problem? That band is not the government. The water crisis is the government’s problem, not the band’s problem,” wrote @Lwae88.
Others, however, were less impressed, with many describing the moment as tone deaf, given that millions of citizens continue to face water shortages.
“Just shows how far removed the ANC is from the reality of its citizens,” added @MustLoveDogs32.
The backlash around the Sona moment comes during a week when government officials have already faced criticism over comments linked to the water crisis.
Just a day earlier, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi came under fire after revealing that he sometimes books into a hotel to bathe when water outages affect his area.
Lesufi commented while addressing residents during a visit to a reservoir in Brixton, insisting that officials do not receive special treatment and experience the same shortages as everyone else.
His remarks, however, did not land well with the public, including celebrities. Media personality Thando Thabethe reacted to a video of Lesufi’s comments shared on X with nauseated face emojis.
On the other hand, "Podcast and Chill" co-host Sol Phenduka weighed in by sharing how he handles the water outage.
“When this happens, I shower at the gym. Booking a hotel is a different level that one,” he wrote.