Ryan Swano
GHAM! Ons Het Lyn offers an intimate and unfiltered glimpse into the lives of The Temple Boys – Chadley Dick, Dylin Adams, Terriano Duimpies, and Ronin Johannes – a music group from Ravensmead near Cape Town. Once hailed as breakout stars thanks to their viral Afrikaans Gqom hit “Saggies”, the group became a symbol of hope, creativity, and youthful ambition on the Cape Flats. But three years after their moment in the spotlight, the documentary reveals a more complex story of struggle, identity, and resilience.
Making Afrikaans Gqom Go Viral
There’s no doubt that Afrikaans Gqom music has become a phenomenon, and the Temple Boys proved something new to many other South African artists. Your ability to make your music in a new obscure sub-genre go viral on social media platforms without an official release through a record label is a viable avenue into the music industry.
The documentary that chronicles the Temple Boys journey will be showing at the 2025 kykNET Silwerskermfees and the film festival organisers hosted a Q&A session with the director of GHAM! Ons Het Lyn.
Directed by Eric Says, also known as Eric Snyders, GHAM! captures the highs and lows of four young men who once dreamed of using music as a way out. Their rise to fame was marked by raw talent, DIY production, and an irresistible mix of Afrikaans lyrics with Gqom beats – a sound born right in Ravensmead. But as quickly as the spotlight found them, it faded, leaving behind difficult questions and a fight to keep their dreams alive.
Capturing the Intersections Between Media, Music and Identity
Snyders was drawn to the Temple Boys not only for their innovative sound but also for the deeper themes their story represented. A filmmaker deeply interested in the intersections between media, music, and identity, he first learned about the group from his brother Wesley, a producer in Elsies River. What began as an interest in their genre-blending music evolved into a powerful documentary about youth, exploitation, and perseverance.
WATCH: Amptelike lokprent: Gham! Ons Het Lyn kykNET Silwerskermfees 2025
Building trust with the Temple Boys was key to the documentary’s emotional depth. The group opened up about their journey, including how they were financially taken advantage of by unscrupulous agents. Lacking legal guidance and support, they found themselves tied to no formal contracts – a painful lesson that reflects the vulnerability of young artists from under-resourced communities.
Community Spirit and of Enduring Kindness
Despite setbacks, the documentary doesn’t dwell in despair. It highlights the group’s humour, self-belief, and community spirit. From jam sessions that birthed hit songs like “Saggies” without a single lyric ever being written down, to heartwarming moments with their families and neighbours, the film balances grit with warmth. A standout moment occurred during filming at Dylin’s home, where the Coloured neighbourhood they are from came alive with joy.
Children surrounded the crew, eager to be part of something bigger. Even Dylin’s grandmother baked koesistes (not koeksisters) for everyone – a reminder of the enduring kindness found in difficult places.
Snyders hopes GHAM! resonates as a broader message to South Africa’s youth: start with what you have. The Temple Boys are proof that talent, drive, and a little resourcefulness can lead to extraordinary things. Their story also underscores the need for better artist protection and guidance in an industry often unkind to newcomers.
What Lies Ahead for the Temple Boys and for Eric Says?
Now, with a new single, “My Man, My Man,” released and an album in the works, the Temple Boys are staging a comeback. This documentary might just be the spark that reignites their journey.
Check Out and Download Temple Boys CPT – My Man My Man
As for Snyders, he’s already deep into his next project – a feature-length documentary called Finding Vicus, a decade-spanning search for South Africa’s forgotten teen idol, Vicus Visser.
As part of the 2025 kykNET Silwerskermfees Film Festival, the Documentary Gham! Ons Het Lyn will show at Rotunda on Thursday 21 August at 10:00am followed by a Q&A Session with the filmakers, and it will hopefully become available for streaming on DStv kykNET and Showmax in the near future.
