A row has erupted in Limpopo, as several political parties, the South African Council of Churches, Christian organisations and individuals are protesting against a poem rendered by a Grade 10 pupil during the birthday party celebration for Premier Ngoako Ramathlodi.

Young Tumi Makudubela, of Sawmills School, rendered the poem to Ramathlodi at his 48th birthday party, held Glenshield Hotel, Makgobaskloof on August 24. The poem, a parody on the Lord's Prayer, reads like this: "Our Premier who art in the parliament. Hallowed be thy government. Thy constitution come. Thy will be done in rural areas as it is done in urban area. Give us each day our Masakhane and Democracy, and forgive us for our impatience as we forgave the boers for apartheid, and lead us not into poverty, for thy is the democracy the power and the rules. Forever and ever Limpopo." The outcry started immediately after the poem was published in the government's newsletter, Great North News, this week.

The DA's provincial Art and Culture spokesperson, Mr Sydney Opperman, said he intended to send a letter of protest to the premier's office to pursuade him to distance himself from the poem. He said he would also refer the matter to the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural Religious and Language Communities. Opperman also raised a concern that the poem was published in a paper paid for by the taxpayers.

Mr Ishmael Mnisi, the editor of the paper, said people should understand the poem is Tumi's view, not his paper's view. "We publish people's views in all our publications. So, this is Tumi's viewpoint and must be granted. The school also sanctioned the poem. Everybody was shocked when hearing the poem rendered during the function, including myself. We even debated about it in our editorial meeting before we published it. However, our constitution respects individuals' views, that is why we decided to publish it, and I do not regret it," said Mnisi. Mnsi also added that people should appreciate the talent and the potential Tumi has instead of criticising him, as it will destroy him. "Let us redirect the potential of this boy, if we think it is misdirected in this poem."

The school principal, Mr Jerry Ramohlale, said there is nothing wrong with the poem. "Why are they against it? They are misinterpreting the poem. Ramathlodi is the son of God and he will never have the same powers as God. We are just saying Ramathlodi is doing good on earth. God is greater in charge of heaven."