With the FIFA World Cup around the corner, this choir brought football nostalgia to the streets of Paris with their own powerful version of Waka Waka.
Paris, France (25 May 2026) – With the FIFA World Cup now just around the corner, the timing could not have been more perfect for a little wave of South African football nostalgia in the streets of Paris.
Thanda Choir recently turned heads with a street performance of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), giving the iconic football anthem their own proudly South African twist as crowds gathered to watch, record and sing along.
Some stood smiling, others pulled out their phones immediately, while a few quietly soaked in the atmosphere as the performance brought a little bit of 2010 World Cup magic back to life. And honestly, with football fever slowly building again ahead of the World Cup, the song still hits home for many South Africans.
Waka Waka is more than just a song. It brings back memories of packed fan parks, vuvuzelas, makarapas, celebrations in the streets and the feeling of the entire country rallying behind football during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Now, years later, Thanda Choir somehow managed to recreate a small piece of that feeling thousands of kilometres away from home.
Judging by the reactions, the world is still listening
@thanda.choirWorld Cup is around the corner 🇿🇦
Editor’s note: We have covered the controversy related to the Thanda Choir’s finances, which has seen the 16 founding members leave to form the Lizwi Choir. You can read that story here. However, the remaining Thanda Choir members continue to share their voices, and we honour that too.


South Africans Turn Stickables Craze Into Full Tummies for Animals in Need!
These Surprising Leopards of South Africa Also Deserve Some Love!







