There’s a reason the comments keep coming in from every corner of the globe. Stille Waters has struck a nerve, reminding listeners of love, loss and moments that stay with us long after the music ends.
Western Cape, South Africa (22 December 2025) – The Stellenbosch University Choir has never just been about perfect notes. It’s about emotion, connection and the kind of singing that makes people stop scrolling and actually listen.
Their new song, Stille Waters, has done precisely that.
Within days of its release, the performance began rippling across social media, drawing deeply personal reactions from listeners in South Africa and far beyond. It wasn’t long before the comments shifted from admiration to something more intimate, reflections on memory, grief, love and belonging.
The Stellenbosch University Choir is no stranger to global acclaim. Consistently ranked among the world’s leading choirs, the ensemble has become one of South Africa’s most respected cultural ambassadors. Under the guidance of André van der Merwe, the choir has spent years proving that technical excellence and emotional honesty can, and should, exist side by side. That combination is evident throughout Stille Waters. The arrangement is delicate yet assured, allowing space for vulnerability while remaining anchored in precision. For many who have listened, it feels less like a performance and more like a shared moment.
“These students won’t remember a single lecture of their time at University, but the time with this choir and this superb conductor will be forever etched in their minds,” a social media user shared.
Another listener, writing from thousands of kilometres away, spoke to the choir’s extraordinary reach.
“Do you get a download directly from Heaven? Stellenbosch is nearly 10,000 mi (15,500 km) from me, requiring 14+ hours of flying time and thousands of US Dollars. Lord knows that if I could, I surely would go and visit and stay as long as the South African gov’t would allow. I’m no youngster, but I do consider each of you my younger brothers and sisters. God bless you and all that you continue to do to bring wholesome acapella music to the world. Thank you (from the other side of the planet).”
Praise for the choir’s musical leadership has been equally heartfelt.
“If it has André van der Merwe, then it has the best in the world.”
“This choir is a gift and a blessing to humanity. I pray for Sir André Van der Merwe to live long so that he may enjoy the fruits of his works.”
Speaking to Good Things Guy, André explained that Stille Waters is an eloquent Afrikaans love song that reflects on the fleeting nature of love and life, while firmly affirming that love itself never truly disappears.
“While I was processing the loss of a loved one, the song played on the radio, and its final lines hit me in the gut. ‘En as die maan weer opkom, sal ek onthou: ek was vir ’n rukkie ook ’n bietjie lief vir jou.’ (‘And when the moon rises again, I will remember: for a little while, I was also a little in love with you).’”
“In that moment, the song became part of my own journey. I arranged it as a way of beginning a process of acceptance and healing.”
He added that the timing of the release felt particularly significant.
“During the festive season, feelings of loneliness and loss are often amplified. My sincere hope is that others might find some consolation in these unfeigned lyrics. Although the song is in Afrikaans, its message is profoundly universal.”
The arrangement also serves as a tribute to two towering figures in South African music.
“This arrangement is also a tribute to the remarkable husband-and-wife team of Christopher Torr (composer) and Laurika Rauch (singer). Earlier this year, Laurika announced her final public performance at the Afrikaans is Groot concert in Cape Town, a moment that felt both celebratory and deeply poignant.”
When asked about his wish for South Africa this festive season, André returned to the values that have shaped both his career and the choir.
“My wish for South Africans is that we continue to learn how to embrace our shared heritage. A striking example of this is the Stellenbosch University Choir: when we sing one another’s languages, we learn and grow as human beings. Embracing each other’s cultures does not mean sacrificing our own; it simply shows that we care enough to try.”
“Over the past 20 years, I have witnessed a fascinating truth: when South Africans work together, we create something truly unique and inspiring. True Ubuntu is not merely a ‘rainbow word’—it is powerful, transformative, and deeply uplifting.”
In a noisy digital world, Stille Waters has reminded people why choral music still matters. It slows us down, invites us to feel, and gently connects strangers across borders and backgrounds… one shared breath, one shared harmony at a time.
Listen to it below:
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