Top 5: South African parody songs

Okay Wasabi – Dudla

‘Dudla’ is the spin-off of DJ Citi Lyts’ song ‘Hamba Nge Vura’ featuring Sjava and Saudi. The song is about the Volkswagen VR6 as a preferred mode of transportation for picking up girls and partying. Wasabi speaks about always being around fat people. The parody version mirrors the original song in rhythm and in the cadence of Sjava and Saudi.

ZANews – Wrecking Ball

ZAnews is a satirical South African puppet show that is famous for its caricatures of public figures. Following the former public protector Thuli Madonsela’s damning Nkandla report, ZAnews released a version of Miley Cyrus’ chart-topping song ‘Wrecking Ball’. The ZAnews version features a puppet depicting a teary-eyed Thuli Madonsela talking about being seen as a wrecking ball by the ruling ANC.

I Am Vertigo Man – Papa ne Chakalaka

In 2014, self-proclaimed skhanda god K.O released ‘Caracara’, a song about his penchant for travelling and relaxing with beautiful women in a VW Microbus. The song was remade by I Am Vertigo Man, who in the song expresses his love for pap and chakalaka.

Prince Sathekge – Gupta’s Paradise

Gupta’s paradise is a remake of American rapper Coolio’s 1995 song ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’, which itself is a remake of Steve Wonder's ‘Pastime Paradise’. Sathekge’s ‘Gupta’s Paradise’ explores South African President Jacob Zuma’s alleged corrupt relationship with the infamous Gupta family.

Tats Nkonzo – Loliwe

Tats Nkondlo is a comedian and former host of South Africa’s Got Talent. A skilled guitarist and satirical singer, Tats hosted a segment called the Morale Index during the run of satirical TV show Late Night With Loyiso. Here Nkondlo sings about the issues affecting South Africa using the tunes of famous songs. One such song was ‘Loliwe’, in which he covered topics such as the Marikana massacre.