SA: Mamelodi Sundowns announces theme song competition finalists

In June, the football club called on young musicians to compose a two-minute song ahead of the club's 50 years anniversary celebrations in December. Participants were asked to compose songs in any of South Africa's 11 official languages, as well as the two Khoisan languages of Xun and Khwe.

“From the thousands of entries that were received since the #SingWithSundowns launched in June, 11 finalists were announced as voted for by the public,” a statement reads.

As part of the challenge's build-up and journey to discover the winner, the 11 finalists were each awarded R30 000 ($1 700) in cash. The 11 finalists are as follows:

• Kamogelo Msimango – Setswana
• Lufuno Maliga – Venda
• Hlohonolofatso Abraham Mahate (Hloni & Faki) – Sotho
• Jeffery Zukile – Xhosa
• Nqobile Mbandlwa – Zulu
• Obed Malahla – English
• Jim Ntuli – Ndebele
• Hazel Rammone – Afrikaans
• Esai Shivambu – Tsonga
• Lawrence Makhubedu – Sepedi
• Nontuthuko Lekhuleni – Swati

“Music has always been a great part of my life,” Msimango said. “During my school days I was known for singing solos and acapella as well as for being in the school choir.”

Maliga said: “I am very happy for the R30 000 that I have won, I thank the Lord for it as it came at the right time. This will help me and other people who depend on me. This has also inspired me to take my music talent forward.”

Hloni & Faki said: “We are going to share the R30 000 winnings between ourselves and we will also give some to our keyboard player who has helped us through this journey. Should we win the R1 million, this would change our lives forever, including that of our families.”

Meanwhile, the public will vote to determine the winning song. The overall winner will be awarded R1 million, while six runners-up will be awarded as follows:

• Second prize – R600 000
• Third prize – R500 000
• Fourth prize – R400 000
• Fifth prize – R300 000
• Sixth prize – R200 000
• Seventh prize – R100 000

Listen to the songs by all the finalists here.