
Lifestyle

Local musician encourages Jews to ‘dance again’
Up-and-coming musician, singer, writer, and poet, Bongani Mehlomakhulu was so upset by what he saw of the Nova festival massacre on 7 October 2023, he was inspired to write a song about it.
“I watched a documentary on the Nova festival massacre on BBC,” he said. “The tragedy gripped my heart, and I did what I know best. I put pen to paper to try to articulate the horrors I saw, but also to create a message to the Jewish community and to the world at large that despite the terror of the day, we can dance again.”
His song was facilitated by Christian community leader and South African Friends of Israel (SAFI) volunteer, Clive Mashishi, who said he wanted to arrange such a song campaign in South Africa anyway. He was subsequently introduced to Mehlomakhulu and his team, and said he believed it was the hand of G-d that everything was brought together to release the single and set the campaign in motion.
Mehlomakhulu has worked with numerous local and international artists, such as KVRVBO, SpheraQ, and China Charmeleon, lending his voice to tracks like Shall I Take a Bow and God Given.
He said he believed the theme, ‘We will dance again’ had gripped the world, and he hoped the song would offer hope to all those traumatised by their ordeal. But even more importantly, he and Mashishi want the world to know that the majority of South Africans support Israel.
The song, written and spoken by Mehlomakhulu, was put to a backdrop of other local musicians. Its dance beat is reminiscent of music played at a large-scale dance event or festival. The producers hope that the song helps to heal the trauma of that day and encourages the local Jewish community to dance and have fun again.
One of the song’s lines reads, “United under the given circumstances, we appreciate being given second chances.” Both Mehlomakhulu and Mashishi said they believed Israel’s story was already a miracle, and that it was through Hashem’s grace that after the tragedy and trauma, the people of Israel would have a new beginning. However, to realise this “second chance” fully, they believe healing needs to happen, and this is where the music comes in.
Mashishi and Mehlomakhulu were among those watching the news this past weekend as the first three hostages were released. “It was an exciting, joyful moment,” said Mashishi. “But it was painful. We ask how they will come back to normal life after their life has been so interrupted and after being in such a hard space for so long.”
However, as the song’s lyrics say, “We appreciate being given second chances.” Mashishi and Mehlomakhulu are celebrating the second chance the released hostages have been given at life.
Mashishi said they planned to tour South Africa and abroad, including Israel, to perform the song, and would have dancers on stage to bring forth an impactful message. They plan to have their first stop in Lesotho, in collaboration with SAFI.
While they bring the song to different destinations, they intend to educate people about what happened at the Nova festival as they believe not enough coverage has been given to the sheer horror of the event or the devastation of the 7 October massacre.
“There are still people who believe that the massacre didn’t happen,” Mashishi said. “We need to tell people the truth.
“The Nova festival massacre was horrific, and it has left a scar in the heart of Jewish citizens. How many Jewish parents are now fearful of allowing their children to go to events? We want to encourage Jewish people not to give up, and to dance and play music again. In the past, in South Africa, even during apartheid, music played a big part in bringing revival and instilling truth and hope.”
Mashishi said they planned to release the song last year, but thanked G-d for the timing. “Something was missing from the song. We realised it was the blast of a shofar. We believe that every time the song is played, it will prophetically announce the victory of the people of G-d. The shofar is like the trumpet, and when the trumpet is blown, the walls of Jericho will fall.
“We want to bring the song to the world,” said Mehlomakhulu, who wants to disseminate other such songs through YouTube which “speak to people’s hearts and bring truth and revival to the world”.
“The world was traumatised with Israel on the day, and we will dance alongside Israel as it rises to dance again,” he said.
