Mthandeni SK and Herman Kleinhans unite for 2027 Rugby World Cup project

Maskandi star Mthandeni SK and Afrikaans singer Herman Kleinhans have joined forces in a musical collaboration aimed at bringing South Africans together ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The two artists are leading Hamba Nathi 2027, an independent South African initiative that plans to use music, sport and community experiences to celebrate the country's shared identity.

Their opening collaboration, titled Hamba Nathi, combines Mthandeni SK's Maskandi sound with Kleinhans' musical style, featuring lyrics in isiZulu and Afrikaans.

The project was announced on Wednesday, with organisers describing it as the beginning of a broader national journey towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Hamba Nathi hopes to use music and rugby to create moments of shared joy, pride and belonging among South Africans.

The initiative's vision includes live music and rugby experiences, community participation and documentary storytelling, with organisers saying they want to reach people in both major cities and smaller towns.

Participation will also be possible through digital content.

Further artists, sporting participants and partners will be announced as their involvement is confirmed.

Event dates, venues and participation details are still being finalised.

"Hamba Nathi's invitation is to let the music be louder than the noise," the statement reads.

South Africans, artists, communities and prospective partners are invited to follow the project and register their interest through its website.

The initiative is administered through Bokfest (Pty) Ltd, with GoFlexxi handling ticketing and audience participation, while BOOKA coordinates artist bookings.

Mthandeni SK and Kleinhans are the project's co-lead artists.

The organisers say the initiative is built around the belief that music and sport can create connections across communities.