Drakenstein Municipality, fresh from winning the Gold Award as the Best Municipality in the Western Cape for service excellence, has launched a community anthem designed to inspire pride and unity.
Executive Mayor Stephen Korabie said the song, simply entitled “Drakenstein”, aimed to market the valley, highlight its beauty and strengthen a sense of belonging.
“We already have a world-class offering and felt it was time to complement it with a song of equal calibre. It is about shared identity – my destiny, your destiny, our destiny.”
The anthem was written and composed by celebrated South African artist Frieda van den Heever and recorded with professional sound engineers.
According to Municipal Manager Dr Johan Leibbrandt “the final product is something everyone in Drakenstein can be truly proud of.
The song captures our spirit and will stand the test of time.”
The lyrics celebrate the valley’s landscapes – “where I can breathe again, between a river, a vineyard and a mountain” – while recognising its people and neighbourhoods.
From Paarl to Wellington, Saron to Simondium, Mbekweni to Val de Vie the verses call communities out by name:
“Gouda, Hawequa, Voorstraat, Dal Josafat …
Newton, New Orleans, Groenberg, Pearl Valley …
Denneburg, Van Wyksvlei; this is where we choose to stay.”
Other lines highlight unity and shared heritage: “Drakenstein – my nest, my wings, rich with culture, alive with unity, it’s our home, it’s our destiny.”
The anthem also weaves in echoes of South Africa’s national pride: “It’s my Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika, dis waar die kranse antwoord gee, ja.”
The municipality said its hope is that the song will soon become a familiar chorus across schools, churches and community gatherings as an anthem for a place that many proudly call home.
