GQEBERHA – At eight years old, Ruan van der Kuil stepped onto a stage for his first singing competition — and walked away with the winning title.

More than a decade later, the Gqeberha singer-songwriter, known as RVDK, is preparing to take that same love of performing to Eastern Cape festival stages this September, fresh from winning Country Song of the Year in the Eastern Cape at the Afri-Indie Awards.

With a growing catalogue of original music, chart success behind him and a string of live performances ahead, Van der Kuil is hoping the festival season will help introduce his music to even more listeners.

One of his upcoming appearances will be at the Loerie Nartjiefees on 26 September, where he is scheduled to perform at 09.30. The 33rd annual family festival will also feature Jan Jan Jan, Irene-Louise van Wyk and Mario Plaashond.

The festival organisers describe Van der Kuil as bringing “extra energy” to the event, a fitting description for an artist whose performances have become an important part of his growing career.

A love of music from an early age

His mother and manager, Sharon, says his love of music started long before the awards and festival stages.

“Ruan started performing at a very young age, in churches and at local community gatherings,” she says.

“At eight years old, he entered his first singing competition and won. From there, he just kept going.”

Over the years, Van der Kuil has continued to hone his craft through talent competitions, showcases, corporate events and live performances.

He has performed at festivals around South Africa, including the KKNK, Kirkwood Wildsfees, Splash Festival and Liggie Festival in Pretoria, as well as the Loerie Nartjiefees.

From local stages to original music

He is equally comfortable behind a microphone as a singer or master of ceremonies, but his own music remains at the centre of his ambitions.

His sound combines Afrikaans pop and sokkie influences with modern country and country-pop, with Van der Kuil particularly passionate about country music.

That passion has translated into a growing collection of original songs and recent releases.

His catalogue includes Plek in My Hart, Waar Ek Wil Wees, Ek Sal Weg Vlieg, Climb the Ladder, Die Leeukuil, One Shot and Nashvegas.

Van der Kuil’s recent success has also extended to the charts. Die Leeukuil reached number one on the Bay FM Afrikaans Top 20, while Climb the Ladder has received national airplay and chart recognition.

Recognition for a growing music career

Then, on 25 August, came another major milestone when he was named the Eastern Cape’s Country Song of the Year winner at the Afri-Indie Awards.

The recognition comes after years of entering competitions and talent shows, where he has frequently placed first.

For Sharon, seeing her son receive recognition for his original music is particularly rewarding.

“He works very hard at his music and he really wants people to hear his original songs,” she says.

“His biggest challenge is getting more of his original music out to the public and securing bigger stages where he can showcase it.”

‘There is truth in every song’

Despite the growing recognition, Van der Kuil remains focused on building his career and reaching larger audiences.

For him, music is more than performing in front of a crowd. “Music means the world to Ruan,” Sharon says. “There is truth in every song he writes.”

That connection to his music is something he hopes to carry into the busy festival season, where live performances offer an opportunity to connect directly with audiences.

The Loerie Nartjiefees will be one of those opportunities, with Van der Kuil opening the festival’s live entertainment programme.

For the eight-year-old who once walked onto a stage for his first singing competition, the journey has already taken him from local community performances to some of the Eastern Cape’s best-known festivals.

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