South African network giant MTN South Africa on Tuesday announced that a ‘Silent Choir’ will amplify the iconic Gwijo song, ‘Mtakamama’, also known as ‘Thina Siyazalana’, for the deaf community ahead of the Springbok group stage clash with Scotland in France on September 10.

France is hosting the World Rugby from September 8.

The silent version of the iconic Gwijo song is inspired by last month’s recognition of South African Sign Language as the country’s 12th official language.

MTN SA brand and marketing GM Nomsa Chabeli said the silent Gwijo pays tribute to the diversity of South Africa and aims to inspire South Africans, including the deaf community, to rally behind the Springboks as they defend their World Champion title next month.

MTN collaborated with St Vincent School for the Deaf, a prominent institution known for its dedication to providing quality education to hearing-impaired or hard-of-hearing students.

The ‘Silent Choir’ is made up of 16 children aged between 15 and 18 and is led on-camera by the Cathy Williams of St. Vincent School for the Deaf, with the off-camera support of Mmatlou Moloto and Sophia Rudham.

“The Silent Choir is an offshoot from our new TV ad, in which we tap into the passion of Gwijo and allow the power of ‘Mtakamama’ to be the golden thread that rallies the nation. The song connects all South Africans to the Springboks and declares that our 60-million voices, in all 12 official languages, are behind the Boks as they ready themselves to defend the ultimate prize in France,” said Chabeli.

The network giant hopes that through the initiative it will not only be celebrating South Africa's rich cultural heritage with Gwijo but also ensure that the melody of the anthem resonates with all South Africans, regardless of their hearing ability.