What is the Jerusalema Dance Challenge going viral in South Africa?

Team Udayavani, Sep 25, 2020, 4:14 PM IST

The Jerusalema Dance Challenge, a South African internet craze, is sweeping the African continent.

People from across countries are uploading videos dancing to Jerusalema, a song by South African DJ and record producer Master KG.

The Jerusalema dance challenge was endorsed by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week ahead of the country’s plan to open up to tourism on 1 October

Also, Cyril Ramaphosa said, “ To reflect on the difficult journey we have all travelled, to remember those who have lost their lives, and to quietly rejoice in the remarkable and diverse heritage of our nation”

Speaking on the country’s Heritage Day he said: “And there can be no better celebration of our South African-ness than joining the global phenomenon that is the Jerusalema dance challenge. So I urge all of you to take up this challenge on Heritage Day and show the world what we are capable of.”

The 2019 hit “Jerusalema” by Master KG and Nomcebo Zikode has received international attention after clips of South Africans doing the #JerusalemaDanceChallenge went viral on social media.

As reported by The Guardian, in the upbeat Zulu-language track, the singer implores God to take them to the heavenly city of Jerusalem and the song as now been streamed more than 60m times on Spotify.

The global challenge began after a group of friends in Angola shot a video of themselves dancing to the song in February, when the pandemic was beginning to look more serious and lockdowns were imminent.

The dance has become a viral sensation. Clips of dancers across the globe now include nuns, construction workers, police officers, waiters and fuel attendants.

[WATCH]: @WitsUniversity responds to the call by President @CyrilRamaphosa to take up the #JerusalemaChallenge ?? #HeritageDay2020 #JerusalemaDanceChallenge #MyHeritageYourHeritage pic.twitter.com/0JkwmmqY4d

— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) September 24, 2020