A young man’s return to his roots forms the heart of this stirring new film for Spotify Africa.

Khuphuka Nathi is a call to connect, not only with music but with the rhythms that bind us to culture, to memory, and to home. Filmed in KwaZulu-Natal and driven by local rhythm and music, the film follows a young man’s return to his Zulu roots.

Each beat of the soundtrack sets off a ripple: in the earth, in the wind, in the spirit of the people he meets along the way. Sam’s cinematic but grounded approach to this journey gives us a beautifully authentic look at what it means to reconnect.

“This story has Zulu culture at its heart,” says Coleman. “But the idea of coming home, of finding yourself through music, is something everyone can feel.”

Spotify Africa “Khuphuka Nathi” Directed by Sam Coleman

CREDITS

CLIENT: Spotify South Africa

Head of Marketing RSA: Sithabile Kachisa
Consumer Marketing Manager RSA: Kevin Seturumane

AGENCY: Machine / Publicis Groupe Africa

CCO: Peter Little
Group Exec Creative Director: Jabulani Sigege
Creative Director: Nkululeko Vilakazi
Group Head: Mantwa Toka
Copywriter: Audrey Nyamcherera
Group Account Director: Sindy Mazibuko
Senior TV Producer: Wakhile Sihole

PATRIOT

Director: Sam Coleman
Exec Producer: Zayd Halim
Senior Producer: Lauren Dugmore
Production Manager: Olivia Murdoch
Production Coordinator: Jodi Benzimra

CREW

1st AD: Graham Hickson
2nd AD: Sphelele Ndlovu
DOP: Pierre De Villiers
Art Director: Candice Drury
Wardrobe Stylist: Amy Zama
Wardrobe Assistant: Nadia Omar
H&MU: Lisa Bailey
Stills Photographer: Mike Bell

POST

Post Production (offline): Priest Post Productions
Editor: Amelia Cohen
Post Producer: Michelle Duvenage
VFX Artist: Hilton Henstock

Post production (Online): The Refinery
Colourist: Kyle Stroebel
VFX Supervisors: Rory Mark & Eddie Addinall
Post Producer: Simone Fanti

MUSIC

Aquanote Productions
Engineer: Lovemore Nkuna
Music: Ndabo Zulu

LEAD

Manqoba Khumalo