There is a place called Donkerbaai.

It may not appear on any South African map, but spend a few minutes listening to the Afrikaans band’s music and you might recognise it immediately. It is December on the coast. Old friends are together. The sun is warm, the pace is slow and, for a moment, the noise of everyday life fades away.

That is the world Corné van Niekerk and Robert Mitchley are building with Donkerbaai – a fictional coastal town born from their shared love of nostalgia, South African culture and the strange experience of becoming adults while still feeling like kids.

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The pair have been making music together since high school, but Donkerbaai represents a new chapter. Their previous projects were louder and often channelled negative emotions. With Donkerbaai, they wanted something different: music that feels positive without being superficial. “Donkerbaai is an Afrikaans band that creates music rooted in nostalgia,” said Van Niekerk. “It’s the feeling of being at the coast in December, reconnecting with old friends, and finding love.”

Their latest single, Net Ek en Jy, captures that feeling. Born partly from the frustration of daily routines and the relentless rush of modern life, the song is an invitation to stop, breathe and appreciate the quiet moments – even when the noise of life refuses to disappear completely. Its message is simple: “Live,” said Van Niekerk.

The track also marks an important milestone for the band, who worked with acclaimed producer Peach van Pletzen – a collaboration Van Niekerk describes as a dream come true. Cape Town rapper Harry CBY adds another layer, bringing a laid-back style and lyrical depth to the song. The accompanying music video takes listeners to the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, where warm, tropical scenery complements the track’s beachy atmosphere. Slow-moving shots and nostalgic montages reinforce the idea of simply soaking in the moment.

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Based in Linden, Donkerbaai draws inspiration from the suburb’s creative energy. “Linden feels like a creative hub,” said Van Niekerk, adding that seeing familiar faces from the industry has motivated the band to keep creating.

Building an audience independently is not easy, particularly in a crowded social media landscape, but creative freedom makes it worthwhile. For Van Niekerk, Donkerbaai is more than a band. “To me, Donkerbaai is a testament to how far I’ve come as a person, and a way to express and connect to that,” he said. Perhaps that is why Net Ek en Jy is worth pressing play on.

You do not need to be on holiday. You don’t need to be beside the ocean. You just need three minutes to slow down. Donkerbaai will take care of the rest.

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