The well-known Dutch singer, Stef Bos, combined forces with a well-known South African singer, Koos Kombuis. After an interview with Bos, in which he explained the reasons for the song which they were about to sing and also expressed some concern that it could be misunderstood, the singers combined in a song which characterized God and the Devil. The theme was Good and Evil. “God” would sing the positive and the “Devil” would sing the negative. There was a playful mood between the two singers.
The Complainant argued that the combination between Good and Evil and the underlying theme that the two were interdependent, with “God” joining in the song, was offensive to the religious convictions or feelings of the Christian section of the SA community. In fact the song denigrated God and was blasphemous. Other complainants were equally perturbed.
The Tribunal of the Commission held that the song should be judged within the context of cabaret and that there had been no intention to offend or blaspheme. However, it also held that the song was sung in the wrong programme. As a result of its complexity and likelihood of being misunderstood, the song should have been included in an art programme, broadcast after the watershed.
As to content of the song, the complaint was dismissed. As to time and slot, it was upheld.
The tribunal expressed its disdain at the manner in which a voice-over before the insert warned listeners that they should not listen to the song if they were “old women with wet pants” (the Afrikaans would include panties). “Warning” not only in poor taste, but also derogatory of females and the elderly.