The world is full of talent, and thanks to social media, we discover new stars every day. While it helps shine a light on incredible skills, it also brings attention to serious issues—one of them being homelessness.
One homeless couple took the internet by storm when a video of them performing outside Desmond Tutu’s Church in Cape Town, South Africa, went viral. At first, no one knew who they were, but their powerful voices and amazing guitar skills stunned both passersby and online viewers. The world was captivated by their music, but also shocked to learn that such talented people were living on the streets.
As soon as the video surfaced, people everywhere wanted to know more. Who were these gifted musicians? How did they end up in this situation? The mystery only made the world more curious, and social media users worked tirelessly to uncover their identities.
The person behind the viral video was Yvette London, a tourist visiting Desmond Tutu’s Church. As she explored the area, she heard beautiful music filling the streets. When she turned around, she saw the couple performing and quickly pulled out her phone to record. Little did she know, that simple act would change their lives. Since Yvette posted the video online, it has gained over 3 million views and has been shared countless times.
Determined to learn more, Yvette asked her tour guide to help find out who these musicians were. After asking around, they finally discovered their names—Millicent Nhlanhla and her partner, Thabani.
@yvettelondon0 An update on the Homeless South African singers. @Street Wise Band #southafrica #soutgafricantiktok #capetownsouthafrica #capetown#streetwiseband ♬ original sound – Yvette London423
Once their identities were revealed, the couple was overwhelmed by the love and support pouring in from around the world. Encouraged by the response, they decided to form their own musical group, naming it Street Wise Band. Yvette shared another update, announcing that Millicent and Thabani had also started a TikTok account to share their music and a Venmo account for donations. It’s unclear how much support they received, but we can only hope many generous people helped them along the way.
Their journey didn’t stop there! As Street Wise Band continued to gain fame, their videos reached new heights on social media. Before long, it seemed they were no longer just street performers. They started posting clips of performances in actual venues, making it clear that their dreams of becoming professional musicians were starting to come true. Yvette’s video had done more than just make them famous—it had opened real doors for them.
Their story caught the attention of media outlets around the world. Even the UK’s popular show, The Chalk Show, invited them for an interview to talk about their success and newfound journey.
Months after their big break, Street Wise Band is still going strong. They continue to post videos of their performances, share their story, and connect with their growing fanbase on YouTube and TikTok. While they are still busking, it’s clear they love what they do, and their journey is far from over. With each passing day, they gain more followers, and hopefully, more opportunities to turn their passion into a full-time career.
If you want to support Street Wise Band, you can subscribe to their YouTube channel or visit their official website for more updates on their journey. Let’s keep cheering them on as they chase their dreams!
