Band Members:
Francois Van Coke Hunter Kennedy Johnny De Ridder Wynand Myburgh Jaco Venter.
They released their first EP, As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand which can be translated into English as If you play with fire you will get burnt.
Soon thereafter, they released the track, Hemel op die Platteland translates into Heaven in the countryside which made history when it became the first Afrikaans song to be officially playlisted on one of South Africa 's English national radio stations, 5FM .
Their first complete album Lugsteuring translates into Air disturbance, produced by John Paul De Stefani, was released in 2004, followed in 2005 with another EP, Monoloog In Stereo (Monologue in stereo).
The single Brand Suid-Afrika (Burn South Africa) was released in 2006, followed by the album Swanesang (Swan Song) .
Fokofpolisiekar have performed at various venues throughout South Africa and in October 2005 they toured the United Kingdom.
Their official site can be found at http://www.fokofpolisiekar.co.za/
View these links to their other social network websites:
Band website
Facebook Fan Page
Band's Blog
Vernietig Jouself
Fokofpolisiekar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Met rooiwyn en sigarette sit ons in 'n minimumveiligheidstronk
Kom ons sing oor presteer in 'n sisteem van gehoorsaamheid
Kom ons sing oor jou verleppende persoonlikheid
Vernietig jouself
Daar is 'n drang in my, 'n instinktiewe haat
Vir instansies van die bewussyn
Ons almal pak die kole, ons almal stook die vuur
Ons almal bou die mure wat idees bestry
Ons is die rebelle wat misluk het
Ons almal kak die reëls uit waaraan ons almal verstik het
Vernietig jouself
Dis moeilik om die kettings af
Hulle maak dit aan jou binnegoed vas
Dis moeilik om die kettings af te breek
The song Vernietig Jouself by Fokofpolisiekar is a commentary on the pressures and expectations of society, particularly in the context of the university culture in Stellenbosch. The first stanza paints a picture of a group of people gathered together, drinking wine and smoking cigarettes, but in a minimum-security prison. This is a metaphor for the constraints and limitations that are placed on individuals by societal norms and expectations. The chorus, "Vernietig jouself" (destroy yourself), is a call-to-action for individuals to break free from these chains and live their lives on their own terms.
The second stanza delves deeper into the singer's personal struggles with societal conditioning. The lyrics express a deep-seated hatred for institutions of consciousness and a desire to break free from the constraints of religious ideals. The lines "Ons almal bou die mure wat idees bestry" (we all build the walls that fight ideas) and "Ons almal kak die reëls uit waaraan ons almal verstik het" (we all break the rules that suffocate us all) speak to the idea that society often stifles creativity and individuality in the name of conformity.
Overall, Vernietig Jouself is a powerful anthem for those struggling to break free from the chains of societal expectations and live their lives to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Kom ons sing oor kuier op Stellenbosch
Let's sing about hanging out in Stellenbosch
Met rooiwyn en sigarette sit ons in 'n minimumveiligheidstronk
We sit in a small space with red wine and cigarettes
Kom ons sing oor presteer in 'n sisteem van gehoorsaamheid
Let's sing about achieving in a system of obedience
Kom ons sing oor jou verleppende persoonlikheid
Let's sing about your decaying personality
Vernietig jouself
Destroy yourself
Daar is 'n drang in my, 'n instinktiewe haat
There is a desire in me, an instinctual hate
Vir instansies van die bewussyn
For entities of consciousness
Konditioneer my, Bybel vir my
Condition me, Bible for me
Ons almal pak die kole, ons almal stook die vuur
We all gather the coals, we all stoke the fire
Ons almal bou die mure wat idees bestry
We all build the walls that resist ideas
Ons is die rebelle wat misluk het
We are the rebels who failed
Ons almal kak die reëls uit waaraan ons almal verstik het
We all shit out the rules that suffocate us all
Vernietig jouself
Destroy yourself
Dis moeilik om die kettings af
It's difficult to break the chains
Hulle maak dit aan jou binnegoed vas
They make it attach to your inner being
Dis moeilik om die kettings af te breek
It's difficult to break the chains
Contributed by Chase W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.