As the Springboks get their Rugby Championship title defence under way on Saturday, there will be natural interest from especially those heading to Ellis Park to know who will be singing the SA anthem before kick off.
At such an iconic ground, and for what will be the Springboks’ biggest Test of the year to date, there is every expectation that it will be a rousing rendition of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika on Saturday.
It has now been confirmed to TheSouthAfrican that the SA anthem will be sung by Lloyd Cele, a South African singer, songwriter, and musician who rose to prominence as the runner-up on the 2010 season of Idols South Africa.
His journey to success has been an inspiration to many, as he came from a disadvantaged background in the township of KwaMashu.
Before his time on Idols, Cele was a self-taught musician who played the guitar, keyboard, and saxophone. He had a strong musical background from his church, where he was a worship director and a youth leader.
While he had a passion for music, he initially pursued a career in software engineering, but his love for music remained a constant in his life.
In 2010, Cele’s life changed when he became a contestant on Idols South Africa. He quickly became a fan favourite and made it to the finale, where he was the runner-up to Elvis Blue. In a remarkable gesture of friendship, the two finalists agreed to split the prize money, regardless of the outcome.
Following his Idols success, Cele released his debut album, ‘One’ in 2011. The album, which he wrote and composed most of the songs for, was a commercial and critical success.
It won the South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Pop Album in 2012 and featured collaborations with other prominent South African artists like Loyiso Bala. Some of his hit songs include ‘Make It Easy’, ‘My Air’ and ‘Thando’.
SA anthem to ramp up the ‘gees’ before Springbok Test
Beyond his music career, Cele has also become a television and radio presenter, and he has lent his name to various charitable causes.
Meanwhile, the Australian anthem will be sung by South African pop musician and vocalist Lee Scott, who gained recognition as a solo artist and as a member of the popular South African group Hi-5.
Will you be at Ellis Park?
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