South African singer and song writer Steve Hofmeyr dumped R5 000 worth of U2 concert tickets in the Jukskei river, because of Bono’s take on “shoot the boer”, he tweeted on Sunday.
“I have just dumped my R5 000 worth of U2 tickets in the Jukskei. I’m going home. I can find no context for that song. Sorry & goodbye,” read a tweet, at around 2pm on Hofmeyr’s Twitter profile.
Hofmeyr, who also seems to hold tickets for the upcoming Neil Diamond concert, said he hoped the American artist kept his “trap shut” about politics.
“All I ask is that Neil Diamond keeps his political trap shut until after Sweet Caroline,” he tweeted two hours later.
Irishman and U2 front man, Bono told the Sunday Times in an interview that there was nothing wrong with political songs, but not at public gatherings.
He said: “I was a kid and I’d sing songs I remember my uncles singing … rebel songs about the early days of the Irish Republican Army,”
‘There’s a rule for that kind of music’
Bono then proceeded to sing one of the songs and its lyrics spoke of “carrying guns and readying them for action”, the weekly newspaper said.
“We sang this and it’s fair to say it’s folk music … as this was the struggle of some people that sang it over some time.
“But would you want to sing that in a certain community? It’s pretty dumb,” he said.
“Yet, it’s about where and when you sing those songs. There’s a rule for that kind of music,” Bono said.
Hofmeyr describes himself on Twitter as an “Author, angry activist, talk show host, bookworm and daddy with two-million units sold and a SAMA [South African Music Awards] award for Best Selling South African Artist 2004”.
U2 performed in Johannesburg later on Sunday at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.
Hofmeyr’s comments got twitter user IfUSeeKStanny saying: “The most intelligent thing to do regarding racist @steve_hofmeyr is to ignore the dumb ass afrikak”.
Hofmeyr retweeted on this comment with: “@IfUSeeKStanny Try”.
Another Twitter user, journalist and author gussilber said: “Honestly, What kind of example is Steve Hofmeyr setting? Pollution of the Jukskei is already a huge problem.
Georginaguedes said: “Can’t say how delighted I am that there’s no chance of bumping into Steve Hofmeyr tonight.”
“He’s a toss. Literally RT @gussilber: Steve Hofmeyr has just dumped R5 000 worth of U2 tickets in the Jukskei in protest against Bono,” grightford said.
User AfricanFlute said: “This is dedicated to Steve Hofmeyr.: * singing* Ek wil huis toe gaan, na mama toe, die Jukskei rivier is vol U2 kaartjies!”
Hofmeyr could not be reached for comment on Sunday afternoon. – Sapa