When Buhle Mda, a member of a South African acapella singing group The Soil, said "Dance with me," over 200 Chinese and South Africans began to sway to the rhythm of the music. 

On July 18, The Soil was invited to perform for a Chinese audience at the National Center for the Performing Arts inBeijing, as part of the Year of South Africa inChina, a collaborative event by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and the South African Embassy in Beijing, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of South Africa's freedom. It aims at promoting South African culture in China and improving the understanding between the two countries. 

"I never did this before in my life," said Cao Ying, a Chinese girl who was invited by the artists onto the stage to dance. "I'm too shy. It is frightening even to think of the idea of dancing in front of so many people. But tonight I did it and I really enjoyed it." 

Her father was also invited to dance with the singers. The man in his 50s tried his best to catch the beat of the music. "Their music featuring an African style is so encouraging and has the magic to make everyone want to join them and feel happy," he said.  

Earlier this year, many events have been held and more will be staged in the following months of the year to introduce the food, history and cinema of South Africa.  

"Today marks one of the days we want to show Chinese people as much we can about South African culture. Today we showcase the music ofSouth Africa," said Ntsika Fana Ngxanga, a member of The Soil group.  

"Our music is influenced by the music both before and after apartheid. We give a 20-year journey of howSouth Africahas transformed through music. They can understand how much we went through as a nation and how we are as a nation. There's really a lot to celebrate. We hope we shine that light through tonight's performance," Ngxanga said. 

The group's musical style is evident in its rhythmic vocal bass line, with constant beat boxing whilst the remaining voices contribute to the choral and polyphonic accompaniment. Their music features an eclectic mix of musical genres such as jazz, hip hop, Afro-pop and Afro-soul.

Defined as Kasi Soul, The Soil strives to fuse their voices to deliver melodic and harmonious messages that are aimed at uplifting and healing souls all around the world.

"A special thing about our music is that it speaks to your heart and speaks to your soul, although most of the songs are in our African languages," said Mda. She believes their music can pass the message to Chinese hearts across the hedge of the language. And she was right.

Their performance won sustained cheering and clapping, as well as a high pitch of excitement that only the best artists can induce from the reserved Chinese audience who usually like to hide their emotions.

"They have beautiful voices," said Liu Meiqi, a young mother who took her little girl with her to watch the performance. "Through sing and dancing, their joy is infectious."

"This is exactly the same as what we can get in South Africa," Ngxanga shouted at the end of the performance, as the Chinese audience bombarded the stage to get photos with the singer. "Now Chinabecomes my second home."

About The Soil 

The Soil believes the first member of the group exists in a spiritual form as the Creator of all. The other three members of the group take a physical form: Buhle Mda, Luphindo Ngxanga and Ntsika Fana Ngxanga.

Their self-titled debut album by The Soil was released in 2011 and it has surely taken South Africa by storm with hit singles Joy, Baninzi and Iinkomo, all regularly aired on South African radio stations. The debut album has gone platinum and is still going strong.

The Soil has won Best Soul artist at the SATMA awards 2012.

On November 30, 2013, The Soil received the Best Afro-Pop Music Video award at the Channel O Music Video Awards for their video Iinkomo ft Zakwe.