A local “boere-punk” band, The SP Originals, was recently invited to play at the annual Rocking for Rhinos festival, in Hoedspruit, alongside some of the country’s most notorious artists, such as Crash Car Burn, Cutting Jade and The Sunday Punchers, to name but a few.
The Rocking for Rhinos Organisation is a non-profit organisation that works hand-in-hand with the anti-poaching units and create awareness of the situation on the ground by communicating with people of all ages through arts and culture.
“With poaching in an uncontrollable state, we have to make use of every opportunity and skill we have to enable us to gain the upper-hand on this sick situation,” the SP Originals said.
“These animals can’t fight for themselves.”
To ensure that the focus remains on the rhinos, bands that join the cause aren’t paid to play at the festival.
There have been talks that a sister festival might be established in Johannesburg early next year.
In its second year, the Rocking for Rhinos festival was a two-day event that brought people to the heart of the problem.
Surrounded by beautiful mountains, wild animals and the bush, one could not help but feel saddened by the fact that there are people out to destroy it.
Based in Elsburg, The SP Originals is a collective of six diverse musicians, five of whom also play in other bands.
The band fused the traditional sounds of “boere musiek” with the intensity of punk music and some would say controversial lyrics, to create an upbeat, energetic sound to which South African youths can easily relate.
Through their music they address indigenous issues that South Africans face daily.
The band is currently busy recording their long-awaited single, “Straight to Hell”, at Uninfected Independent Studios, in Wadeville.
The band is also working to create the video for the song.
For more information about Rocking for Rhinos visit the organisation’s website at www.rockingforrhinos.org
For bookings, videos and more information on the band, find them at www.facebook.com/sporiginals
