Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
Rainbow Nation Kids in collaboration with IMAD Khayelitshe Junior Choir
To celebrate Heritage Day, Rainbow Nation Kids proudly releases a special rendition of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, performed by the IMAD Khayelitsha Junior Choir. Produced by Lungi Naidoo and Ryan Sackanary at Milestone Studios in Cape Town, this version brings fresh meaning to the national anthem through the hopeful voices of children. More than a song, this project is a tribute to identity, unity, and the power of youth. It encourages young South Africans to engage with the anthem as a symbol of history and pride, while connecting generations through shared reflection. For Lungi Naidoo, this collaboration is both personal and purposeful — a heartfelt tribute to the nation’s legacy and a celebration of the next generation's potential. Now available on all major digital platforms, this moving anthem invites listeners to sing, reflect, and embrace the promise of a brighter future.
Zulu Nursery Rhymes
Rainbow Nation Kids in collaboration with Nyanganye Primary School
Rainbow Nation Kids was founded by South African singer-songwriter Lungi Naidoo, whose passion for storytelling and cultural preservation shaped the heart of the project. Drawing from her own childhood memories, Lungi created a series of songs that reflect the beauty, language, and joy of growing up in South Africa. Zulu Nursery Rhymes, was a collaborative project recorded with the students of Nyanganye Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal. The album, produced by Ryan Sackanary, was designed to honour Zulu heritage and childhood expression through music. It also inspired a companion book featuring 10 traditional and original isiZulu nursery rhymes with English translations, bridging generations through song and story. Through each song, illustration, and lyric, Rainbow Nation Kids promotes representation, belonging, and joy—offering young families a meaningful way to celebrate culture while creating new traditions for the future.
Zulu Nursery Rhymes: Making of the Characters
Rainbow Nation Kids and Anja Stoeckigt
A key part of Zulu Nursery Rhymes was creating characters that today’s children could truly see themselves in — playful, diverse, and full of personality. For founder Lungi Naidoo, it was essential that the visuals reflected the spirit of the Rainbow Nation: a new generation of South African kids growing up proud of who they are and where they come from. To bring this vision to life, Lungi partnered with Anja Stoeckigt, founder of the local illustration studio Paper Tales. Anja lovingly referred to her early sketches as “stick people,” but each drawing grew into a vibrant, expressive character, built entirely from scratch based on Lungi’s creative ideas and cultural vision. From the hairstyles to the clothing, every detail was thoughtfully designed to promote inclusivity, representation, and cultural pride. These aren’t just characters on a page — they’re reflections of the children reading the book, celebrating their stories, languages, and identities in a way that feels both familiar and empowering.
