GLM TEAM 
KOO and our mothers have lived parallel to each other for over 80 years and because of that KOO is elevating Mother’s Day celebrations from a routine celebration to a nationwide love song and movement that calls on us all to raise our beautiful voices in song to our mother figure’s where it matters most, the hearts-ears, through: iGwijo
IGwijo, a traditional form of call-and-response singing, that is often used to uplift spirits, unify groups, and express deep emotions is sure way to spread love all over the country. This year, KOO is turning it into a tool for heartfelt storytelling, encouraging people across the country to compose and share their own songs dedicated to the mother figures in their lives.
“Mothers don’t just make meals they make memories, and so many of those memories were made with KOO products on the table. ‘A Song for Ma’ is our way of saying thank you with rhythm, heart, and harmony. It’s a celebration of every mother and mother figure who has shown up with love, care, and a plate full of comfort. We’re calling on schools, students and teachers across South Africa to take this opportunity to share their Song For Ma, ” shared Marketing Manager for KOO at Tiger Brands Neo Dikamotse.
‘A Song For Ma’ , stemming from the iconic version ‘ Thank You Mom’ that was echoed around South African homes more than 30 years ago and is still endearing to countless adults from all walks of life today, gives birth to a new expression of the same love. This modernised expression gives South Africans a chance to put their unspoken gratitude into words, turning emotions into something tangible, lasting, and deeply personal. The song will set the tone for the movement starting with a singing competition that celebrates love, food and nurture, echoing the gratitude we carry for the women who raised us, kicking off from 29 April to mid-July 2025.
In South Africa, war cries and iGwijo bring people together across different generations, backgrounds, and cultures. At the heart of this campaign is IGWIJO—a powerful form of group singing that connects people, helping celebrate, support, and express our emotions as one.
Excited to be at the helm of the anthem, the Gwijo Squad said; “We’re incredibly honoured and excited to be partnering with KOO on such a powerful and meaningful movement. Being able to pay tribute to these extraordinary women through igwijo – something so deeply rooted in our culture, is profound. With ‘A Song for Ma,’ we’re bringing our full energy, harmony, and emotion to the table. This is more than just a song, it’s a love letter to the women who’ve shaped us, fed us with food for the bodyand the soul, and carried us through life.”
The KOO Song for Ma competition invites South Africans to raise their voices in celebration, calling on schools across the country to compose and perform their most powerful Gwijo tributes to the remarkable women who shape our lives with full energy and team spirit dressed in uniform, representing themselves and their schools.The video should be 1min-2min long. Rally the school to perform a #KOOSongForMom whether it’s an anthem or war cry, pupils must make something specially created to thank Mom for how she has fed their bodies and souls. Schools or students must tag @KooFoodSA in the caption. Use the hashtag – #KOOSongForMom. Participants stand a higher chance of winning when they mention how their moms used KOO in their meals and how those meals made them feel . The caption must include the school’s full name. The competition will run from 29 April to 31 May 2025.
Whether you’re a student, educator, or simply someone looking to pay tribute to a mother figure, the KOO Song For Ma competition is a unique and meaningful way to experience the appreciation this Mother’s Day and for the students, a chance to win cash prizes up to R30 000 for themselves and prizes to the value of R200 000 for their school. These include a possible revamp your tuck shop, a chance to have a cafeteria upgraded for the school or musical instruments or transportation that’s KOO branded.
Follow the KOO’s social media pages on Facebook: @KOOFoodZA, X: @Koo_Food, Instagram: @Koofoodsa to find more on how you can enter and more on the amazing prices up for grabs.
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