WATCH Stellenbosch University Choir Performs Die Donker

Over 60,000 people and counting have enjoyed this beautiful performance by the Stellenbosch University Choir – Die Donker (The Dark). As one YouTube user (Jason Tillett) says: “Afrikaans never sounded more beautiful! Ongelooflik ❤️” (The English translation is at the bottom of the article.) Update, 1 Feb ’21: Over 339,000 have now viewed this video on YouTube.

The audio was recorded at Woordfees on Thursday 12 March 2020 (pre-Lockdown in South Africa) in the Endler, Stellenbosch; and the videos were recorded between 4  and11 May 2020 at the homes of choristers during lockdown.

The video includes two Afrikaans songs, arranged by André van der Merwe – Die Gang by Christopher Torr,  performed by Laurika Rauch, and Klein Tambotieboom by Die Heuwels Fantasties.

WATCH VIDEO: Stellenbosch University Choir – Die Donker

YouTube users have loved the video, even those who aren’t South African! Nathalie H said: “Oh I LOVE this! I’m Dutch and we speak basically the same language as this song is in ? you guys kill it all the time! Like we say in our country: “ik ben sprakeloos” ❤️”

Another said: “Front row seats to the best choir in the world.??? The sound engineers also did such an amazing job.” Dr Gerhard Roux is credited as sound engineer, and Regardt Visser for video production.

Kate Mwariri said: “Because the dark always comes before The Light. Beautiful example of self distancing, yet coming together for something magical…”

And August Hesh added: “This the South Africa I want to live in ! Love Yall ??❤”

English Translations:

DIE GANG (The Corridor):

In the dark corridor, I saw a light, but the flame was delicate and frail.
I yearned for springtime on my uncle’s farm without electricity.
My aunt said, “My child, my child, love and moths are blind.”
The flame is delicate and frail, and like a thief, it can disappear in the night.
Deep within the corridor, I yearned for something.
The wind was singing that spring would bring love.
I could hear the day withering – it was only the sun disappearing.
And as certain as the earth that turns, a cock would crow again.
One evening the night turned to day as the storm erupted with all its force.
And I hid in the corridor because I was afraid of the electricity.

KLEIN TAMBOTIEBOOM (a farm in the Limpopo Province of South Africa):

When the shadows come to fetch me, and when the good Lord does not look out for me,
when the ozone layer perishes
and falls into a chandelier of stars,
lay my heart to rest in Klein Tambotieboom and scatter my ashes across the Bushveld horizon.