A top Cape Town gospel musician has come under fire on social media after posting teasers to his new song, Die Here is Kwai.
Neville Diedericks, aka Neville D, from Kalksteenfontein, is currently in studio recording the single with Jesme Swartz, which is to be released next month.
But Neville, 41, had no idea his song title would cause so much controversy after he posted a short clip of the song on Facebook.
The shocked father of four and Grammy nominated artist says people are crucifying him for using the word “kwai”, his own spin on the word “kwaai”.
“I’m from the Cape Flats, we use the word ‘kwai’ to describe something amazing, wonderful, mind-blowing,” he says.
“I know people relate to this word and can recognise that it means something good and so I’m saying God is kwai because it’s how I felt when I wrote this song.”Neville says he was never into writing or singing Afrikaans music, but took the chance in 2013 when his mother passed away.
“I’ve been in this industry for over 20 years and have worked with international artists such as Yolanda Adams, Israel Houghton, New Breed and more for 10 years of my career and so I was never into Afrikaans.
“I did one Afrikaans song in honour of my mother and then from there on I decided to pursue it.”
Facebook users commented on his post last week, calling it disrespectful.
Maryann Davids wrote: “Don’t like the song... kwai is not the way to describe my God. Christians must stop to compare God with these worldly things and words. My God is a God of order. That’s why he says in his word don’t become like this world.(sic)”
Leonor A. Klassen posted: “Not a fan of this song... I do not think that ‘Kwai’ is an appropriate expression of God. Anyway, to each their own.”
Pieter Hendricks wrote: “Nee los ma, reguit hel toe.”
But Neville says he won’t change his song lyrics or let the comments keep him from releasing the song.
“I’ve literally been sent to hell by someone because of a word.
“Ek is vannie Cape Flats, ek praat soe en sing soe.”
Neville releases the song and music video on 15 August.
The video will be released on YouTube and the audio version will be available on all digital platforms.