Bring your song

The work has to come from your hands — Suno or a tool like it to try, or write and record it yourself. Do not send a track someone else already made. Suno's free plan is for trying. A shortlisted song needs a downloadable file you have the rights to; if we shortlist you, we will cover that download or a month's subscription.

We are not choosing between machines and musicians. People who have never published a song may open Suno and try; singers and producers who already work this land walk in as they are.

Let it sound like home. Sesotho, Afrikaans, or English with an African tone — the languages of these towns and farms. If it could play here and feel like it belongs, you are in the right key.

This is not a talent show for its own sake. You enter to stand with the Mafube First election campaign — a song as a way of showing up for the work in the wards.

We play what we take at our tables and gazebos outside the voting-station boundary, on the transport, and at ward gatherings on the days that count. Not inside the station, and not in the queue. Before the day we confirm that line with the presiding officer or our PLC.

You may send as many as three songs — no more. Pick the ones you want heard. Leave the rest in the folder.

Send it on this page only: one form, an audio file — MP3, WAV or M4A, no longer than five minutes — your name, town or ward, whether you are a South African citizen or a permanent resident, and a phone we can reach. A YouTube channel is welcome.

You must be 18 or older, and South African — citizen or permanent resident. Under 18, a parent or guardian signs with you. Candidates, campaign staff and the judges may not enter. You do not have to live in Mafube.

No attacks on other parties or their candidates. No promises this municipality cannot keep — no title deeds, no land, no guaranteed jobs. Nothing insulting to any group of people. We will remove any entry that breaks this, and we will not explain twice.

By entering you confirm the song is yours and you have the right to let us use it. You keep your copyright and your name stays on the work. You give Mafube First permission to play, share and keep it for this campaign and afterwards — permission we cannot lose and do not pay for, anywhere in the world. You may still use your own song anywhere else.

There will be a prize. We will name it and its value by Friday 16 October 2026. It is not a cash swap; any tax sits with the winner; we pay within 30 days of the announcement. We may invite the winner to an event — an invitation, never a condition. Come for the song and this campaign, not the purse.

Entries close Friday 30 October 2026 at 17:00 SAST. Winners are announced Monday 2 November 2026. Judges — named by Friday 16 October 2026 — listen for a song that belongs to this place, stands with the campaign, and can be played at our tables. Their decision is final. We may choose not to use any entry, including a winning one.