1 Aug – 19 Sept 2026 · Open to SA schools

Sing it. Play it.
Dance it. Remix it.

Boom Chakalaka is one of the songs in The Ear Academy's library - built to be played with, not just performed. This term, we want to see what your class does with it.

Enter the Challenge → Hear the song
🏆 Winning school takes home R15,000 in instruments - The Ear Academy × Bothners
The Chakalaka Challenge mascot
Sing itPlay itDance itRemix it Sing itPlay itDance itRemix it Sing itPlay itDance itRemix it
The song

One track. However your class hears it.

Boom Chakalaka is designed to flex - for a full class performance, a small group, or a solo entry. Play it straight, or pull it apart entirely and rebuild it as your own remix.

There's no wrong way in. Non-specialist teachers and seasoned music leads are equally welcome.

📢 Want to remix it?

Download the individual stems - vocals, percussion, melody and bass - and build your own version from scratch.

Download the stems
Any format welcome

Four ways in. Pick one, or mix them.

This isn't a talent show - it's an invitation. However your class wants to make Boom Chakalaka theirs is the right way.

🎤

Sing it

Solo, choir, or the whole class belting it out

🥁

Play it

Any instrument, any skill level - recorders welcome

💃

Dance it

Choreography, freestyle, or a full class routine

👏

Remix it

Body percussion, mash-ups, or the stems reworked

How to enter

Three steps. That's it.

1

Register your school

Fill in the form below with your school and contact details - takes under a minute.

2

Create your entry

Perform Boom Chakalaka as it is, or remix it using the stems above. Singing, instruments, dance, body percussion - any format, any combination.

3

Upload it

Attach your video or audio file directly to the form below. You'll get a confirmation once it's landed.

Posting publicly? Tag us and use the hashtag -
#ChakalakaChallenge
Judging

What our panel is looking for

Creativity

An original take on the song, performed or remixed

Musicality & rhythm

Timing and musical engagement, at any skill level

Participation & spirit

Enthusiasm and involvement across the group

Effort

Care taken in the entry - not production quality

"Everyone has a song. This is your chance to showcase your skills and share it with the world."
- The Ear Academy
Why we're doing this

Everyone has a song in them

The Chakalaka Challenge is a chance for every student, class and school to showcase their skills and share their version of Boom Chakalaka with the world - however they want to make it their own. One school walks away with R15,000 in instruments, thanks to our partnership with Bothners.

Enter now

Register your school & upload your entry

Entries open 1 August and close 19 September 2026.

Good to know

A few common questions

Who can enter?

This challenge is open to schools, students and classes across South Africa. Whether it's one student with a recorder or a full class performance, we want to see it.

What if we want to remix the song instead of performing it live?

Download the stems above and rebuild the track however you like - that counts as a full entry, judged on the same criteria as a live performance.

Is there a file size limit for uploads?

Keep video files under 100MB where possible. If your file is larger, trim the clip or reduce the export resolution before uploading.

Can we submit more than one entry?

One primary submission per school. If you send multiple attempts, let us know which one is your final entry.

When will the winner be announced?

Entries close 19 September 2026. Our panel will review submissions the following week, with the winner announced shortly after.