Rainbow Nation Kids is the brainchild of KwaZulu-Natal singer, songwriter and producer, Lungi Naidoo. The first release under the Rainbow Nation Kids brand is Zulu Nursery Rhymes, a 10-track album out now via Platoon and the accompanying children’s book published by Soutie Press available at all good bookstores nationwide.
The Rainbow Nation Kids – Zulu Nursery Rhymes Book can also be purchased online globally here: https://www.rainbownationkids.
As the founder of The Lungi Foundation, an NGO that works closely with children from rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal, this project means a lot to Lungi Naidoo as it affords her the opportunity to give back to the next generation by sharing some of her own experiences that helped and moulded her while she was in school.
Talking about the project, Lungi Naidoo shares: “My vision for the Rainbow Nation Kids album and book is to help bring music back to schools – education through music. As a child, I was taught through singing and it helped me learn faster, because melody records differently in the brain, so I could remember information quicker and easier.”
She adds: “My 2-year-old nephew knows all the lyrics to a few YouTube songs which has helped him with speaking fluently. I thought, wouldn’t it be great if we had content online for our kids in African languages, so they can also learn to speak in an African language regardless of their race.”
The album features a mix of traditional Zulu children’s songs, as well as three originals written and produced by Lungi Naidoo and Ryan Sackanary.
@lunginaidoo Check it out an share www.rainbownationkids.co.za ❤️♬ original sound – Lungi Naidoo
“I grew up in rural KwaZulu-Natal and all the games we played as little kids, are still some of my favourite childhood memories. I remember sitting in my granny’s kitchen next to the fire hearing stories and singing together with my cousins.”
“We sang nursery rhymes when we cleaned, when we washed clothes, when we took long walks to the river, or when we went herb picking with the next-door aunties. I’m grateful that I can share these songs from my childhood with a new generation.”
“I am so delighted that Nokulunga saw the need to educate our children about these important rhymes. We need to know and appreciate who we are and where we come from. A learning nation is a better nation. Ligothswa lusemanzi.” – Yvonne Chaka Chaka
“Music is always a source of joy, inspiration and celebration in African societies. Nokulunga has succinctly captured the joy it brings to the young.” – Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse
TRACK DESCRIPTIONS
Nampaya oMama – is about pay day and our mums coming home after going to the stores the whole day to buy groceries. The excitement is unmatched because this is the only time you will get a chocolate or chips. Sometime if it was your birthday that month, you knew that there would be a cake as well. The innocence of how the small things in life would light up a child’s whole being.
Imithi Igoba Kahle – taught us about the trees and how they would sway on a windy day. This song also taught us about the birds and their nests and the importance of always making smart decisions because the bird always made their nest in a spot where the wind would blow it away.
iAfro yami – this song is the most import song on the album. I only started growing my natural afro 4-years ago. I was ashamed of my natural hair and using relaxer and wigs was the only solution to managing my unruly hair. Knowledge and freedom of the mind is an awakening that I never knew I needed. Afro’s are part of who we are as Africans, and my daughter knows that her hair is part of her identity no matter how she decides to wear it. She must understand that before she styles it, curls, straighten or braid her hair, that in its natural form is where it is its best. This song is about understanding who you are and appreciating it even if you grow and become a different version of yourself.
Emakaya – this song is about my granny’s home, eNyangaye. This is where we spent every Sunday morning till afternoon. The beauty of the night sky filled with stars, the fireplace songs and stories that my grandparents would tell. The smell of the earth and goats outside. I loved going to my granny’s and this song pays homage to both my grandparents.
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