This Time for Answers: Freshlyground Questions FIFA Over Waka Waka Millions
A controversy has erupted over the royalties from Shakira's global hit "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)," the official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Freshlyground, the South African band that collaborated with Shakira on the track, is seeking transparency over the song's proceeds, worth millions of dollars.
The song, which has garnered over 4.3 billion YouTube views and close to a billion streams on Spotify, was meant to support African charities, according to the original agreement. However, Freshlyground co-founder Simon Attwell claims that the band has spent over a decade trying to get clarity on whether the proceeds ever reached the intended African charities.
The Dispute Over Charitable Funds
Attwell expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, stating that the band was initially told that artists could choose the charities, then that only Shakira could, and eventually that the money had been handed to FIFA for their "20 Centres for 2010" initiative. The problem, Attwell said, is that the FIFA initiative reportedly closed in 2014, leaving unanswered questions about what happened to the royalties that have continued to flow in since.
FIFA's Role and Responsibility
Freshlyground is now demanding answers from FIFA about the fate of the charitable funds. "Waka Waka is still making money today, and the streams don't lie. Whether those funds are still meant for charity or just vanishing into a black hole of football bureaucracy is what Freshlyground would like to know," Attwell said.
The song's success was unprecedented, becoming the most successful World Cup anthem ever. However, the dispute highlights concerns about cultural appropriation and the use of African music for global gain without proper recognition or compensation to the original creators.
Background of the Song
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" draws inspiration from "Zangalewa," a 1986 song by the Cameroonian band Golden Sounds. The original track was a marching anthem widely recognized in Africa for its energetic beat and motivational lyrics. Despite its success, the song's legacy has been marred by accusations of uncredited borrowing from the iconic Cameroonian song.
Source - Lead News Online/Leticia Okpoti
