The 2026 Chakalaka Challenge winner

🎉 A HUGE congratulations to Chris Nissen Primary School! 🎉

They won because of the creativity, energy and enthusiasm that went into their submission. Thank you to every school, teacher and student who sang, played, danced and remixed their way through Boom Chakalaka.

Hear the song → How entries were judged
🏆 Their prize: R15,000 in instruments - The Ear Academy × Bothners
The Chakalaka Challenge mascot
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The song

One track. However your class hears it.

Boom Chakalaka is one of the songs in The Ear Academy's library, built to flex for a full class, a small group or a solo performer. Play it straight, or pull it apart and rebuild it as your own remix.

The Challenge may be closed, but the song isn't going anywhere. Keep it in your music lessons this term.

🎧 Hear Boom Chakalaka

📢 Still want to remix it?

The individual stems - vocals, percussion, melody and bass - are still available for your class to play with.

Download the stems
How it played out

From entries to a winning school

1

Entries closed

The Challenge ran from 1 August and closed for entries on 5 October 2026.

2

Our panel reviewed every entry

Each entry was judged on the same four criteria, whether it was a full class performance or a remix built from the stems.

3

Chris Nissen Primary School won

Their entry took the top spot and wins R15,000 in instruments from The Ear Academy and Bothners.

Posting your performance? Keep sharing it with the hashtag -
#ChakalakaChallenge
Judging

What our panel is looking for

Creativity

An original take on the song, performed or remixed

Musicality & rhythm

Timing and musical engagement, at any skill level

Participation & spirit

Enthusiasm and involvement across the group

Effort

Care taken in the entry - not production quality

"Everyone has a song. This is your chance to showcase your skills and share it with the world."
- The Ear Academy
Why we're doing this

Everyone has a song in them

The Chakalaka Challenge is a chance for every student, class and school to showcase their skills and share their version of Boom Chakalaka with the world - however they want to make it their own. This year, Chris Nissen Primary School walks away with R15,000 in instruments, thanks to our partnership with Bothners.

Entries closed

That's a wrap on entries

The Chakalaka Challenge ran from 1 August to 5 October 2026 and is no longer accepting entries.

Thank you for taking part 🎶

To every class that shared its version of Boom Chakalaka: we loved seeing your students make the song their own. Congratulations again to Chris Nissen Primary School. Thank you to every school that entered.

Questions about your entry? Email chakalaka@the-ear.com.

Want more songs like Boom Chakalaka in your classroom?
The Ear Academy gives your school a full, curriculum-aligned music programme that any teacher can deliver with confidence.

Explore The Ear Academy →
Good to know

A few common questions

Who won the 2026 Chakalaka Challenge?

Chris Nissen Primary School. They won because of the creativity, energy and enthusiasm that went into their submission.

Can we still enter?

No. Entries closed on 5 October 2026, so we're unable to accept new or late entries.

What does the winning school receive?

R15,000 worth of instruments, made up of R7,500 from The Ear Academy and R7,500 from Bothners.

Can we still use Boom Chakalaka and the stems in class?

Yes. The full track and the stems are still available above for your class to listen to, perform and remix.

Who judges the entries?

A panel from The Ear Academy judged every entry against the four criteria above: creativity, musicality and rhythm, participation and spirit, plus effort.