19 December 2018

INTERVIEW: The singers of Klein Kroontjies Kersfees

Having a summertime Christmas means that South Africans don’t ever really get Christmas carols and songs about winter fuel, sleigh bells and dashing through the snow. But now we’ve got our own collection of Afrikaans Christmas songs thanks to SA musos Nianell Thompson, Anna Davel, Lloyd Cele and Pierre Greef.

Now only streaming on Showmax, the Klein Kroontjies Kersfees special tells stories of Santa’s toy factory, Christmas trees and Father Christmas’s sled, giving South African kids an adorable way to celebrate the magic of Christmas.

We wondered what these singers’ favourite Christmas carol was, and every one of them answered Oh Holy Night. Anna says, “There is something magic and mystical about that song.”

In the spirit of giving and cheer, some of the musicians shared their favourite things about the festive season with us.

Nianell Thompson

Having a great meal with loved ones, spending time together, Secret Santa gifts and my kids decorating the Christmas tree.

Anna Davel

I have a very large family, and it usually is a very joyous occasion. I love the excitement of the children on Christmas eve. We do not give expensive gifts, but I love the ceremony of choosing and wrapping the gifts, and decorating them and the anticipation of the kids. I also enjoy the fact that we do Christmas eve the South African way – usually with a braai and then on Christmas afternoon we have a cold meat or leftover lunch with potato salad, gammon and ice cream.