Pretoria singer and songwriter Lucia Poggenpoel’s new song Jakarandastad is making waves.

Poggenpoel said the track, released on October 23, brings peace and celebrates the beauty of Pretoria.

She has collaborated with a young local musician and student, Jacques Geldenhuys, known as ‘Jacques not Jack’. Poggenpoel, who is also a music teacher and a marathon runner, said she met Geldenhuys at an Irene running race.

The duo love nature

“We decided to write a song and collaborate since we both write about love, beauty and nature,” said Poggenpoel.

She said they wrote the song ‘from scratch’.

“Both of us live in Pretoria and we just love to write about nature, life and love. Sometimes we live in this busy city with hectic schedules. But looking at something beautiful like the jacaranda trees brings us hope and peace for this beautiful city, Pretoria.”

She said travelling around Pretoria and seeing the purple flowers on all the jacaranda trees inspired her to write this song to educate people about the beauty of the city.

“We wrote the song in two days, but it took us two weeks to record and produce it.”

Love letter to Pretoria

She said Jakarandastad is more than just a song.

“This song is so much more than just music – it’s a love letter to Pretoria. You can hear in every note that the motivation behind this song comes from a deep, personal love for this city. It’s not just about the purple flowers. It’s about what those jacarandas make us feel.”

She said it is about driving in Lynnwood, Brooklyn, Sunnyside or Rietfontein in September and October, and for a moment, everything just feels okay again.

Poggenpoel said the song clearly reminds people that although Pretoria is a busy city and moves so fast, it still has a soul.

“The beauty still exists, right here, above our streets. That we live in a city that literally blooms for us every year.”

She said listeners will pick up nostalgia from the song.

“Even if you left Pretoria years ago, this song will make you homesick because the melody feels like a slow drive under purple trees. But most of all, they will pick up love.”

She said the song also reminds people that Pretorians are the most welcoming people.

“Pretoria and the community are one of the most welcoming places I have ever lived in. Usually if I go out and meet new people at a braai in Pretoria I feel at home. People are so warm and welcoming. I love that you can go to Irene Farm or Wolwespruit and it feels like you are out of the city, and the next moment you can go to Atterbury Theatre and watch an awesome show. That’s how amazing this city is.”

She said people can listen to and download the song on every streaming platform under the names Jacques not Jack and Lucia Poggenpoel.

Soundtrack to unwind

She said through the song they also want people to relax a bit and unwind.

“Sometimes, if you feel overwhelmed and overworked, this song will calm you down and take you down memory lane through the nature and beauty of the Jacaranda City.”

She said they lead busy lives.

“Jacques not Jack is a student studying, gigging, singing and writing at the same time. As for me, I do gigs and teach music to students. Jakarandastad is all about peace, beauty and hospitality in Pretoria.”

Listen to the song here:

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