There is an undeniable growing ripple effect South Africans are creating in the world in redefining the greatness of this nation in arts and sports — though these sectors stand as the least state-supported.
“Tag people so I get noticed,” Tyla Seethal, now a Grammy award winner, wrote as a caption for a video she uploaded on Instagram in 2018, singing Billie Eilish's Ocean Eyes.
This was one of her attempts to get recording labels and the world to notice her talents. Five years later, the saying “water is life” proved to be just that for the 22-year-old singer. Her single Water, released in July 2023, has gained more than 382-million listens on Spotify. One of the Edenvale-born singer’s short videos performing the song on TikTok has more than 127-million views, making a point that it should be no surprise she won the Grammy award for it in the Best African Music Performance category.
The youngest South African to win a Grammy has not only amazed the world with her craft, but she has dominated popular culture. She made thousands around the world pour water on themselves while trying to imitate her performance in a viral TikTok dance trend, “the Water challenge”.
As she has graced international stages before she even releases her first album, she remains amazed by her success.
“Everything happening is crazy and I'm proud of South Africa and our music. People love us. I'm so happy. I'm proud and happy that I can be an example for other African girls and guys. South Africa, it's our time to shine,” Tyla said weeks before bagging the Grammy.
Tyla is the epitome of the power of social media. She started as a singer who covered other people’s songs, to being the cover song maker.
Tyla was not the only one who made history at the weekend. Bafana Bafana did the same, changing a losing trajectory of 24 years in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
The Afcon tournament has been a game-changer for the national football team as it qualified for the tournament semifinals for the first time in 24 years, redefining the status quo of long-underachieving national sports teams.
Bafana won a nail-biting game against Cape Verde on Saturday after goalkeeper Ronwen Williams delivered a brave performance, making four saves in the penalty shoot-out at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.
From the Springboks winning the Rugby World Cup 2023, Tyla taking Grammy at 22 and Bafana Bafana breaking records, South Africans are an undeniable global force in sport and art. It remains concerning that the government has done little in their wins. How many of these stars would Mzansi have if only the arts and sports received state investment?
It is time the country's sports and arts ministry realise the importance of this portfolio and encourage the youth to break barriers.
These ladies and gents have shown us success comes in different ways and at times life-changing opportunities lie on a soccer field or behind a mic, but this can only come to light if they learn such is possible in this day and age.
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