Vivien Redelinghuys, a second-year BA sociology and labour relations student at the North-West University (NWU), became an overnight sensation after going viral on social media.

Vivien and a family friend, Anthony Hattingh, posted a video of themselves singing their new single, Hallelujah of Hope, inspired by Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah.

Vivien, who left the campus in Potchefstroom to be with his family in Alberton in Gauteng during lockdown, decided to compose the song after realising a lot of people are suffering from anxiety, depression and extreme sadness due to social distancing.

“When we put this song together, we wanted something that will keep people hopeful and to remind them that things will get better. Anthony and I both feel overwhelmed and are very excited about the video going viral,” he says.

After posting the video on Facebook, the duo’s song received over 60 shares from the public.

The song has since been released on multiple social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram.

Part of a band

Vivien is also part of Members of Society, an upcoming alternative rock band. Along with the other band members Leon Johan Theron, Steven Serrao and Zjack de Beer -who are also NWU students – the band currently focuses on performing cover songs.

He says the band will start composing and performing their own songs once the university reopens.

To view the video click here https://youtu.be/RTyCBrMTA_g and for more of Vivien’s music follow him on Instagram @__viv___ or Facebook at Vivien Redelinghuys.

Vivien Redelinghuys, a second-year NWU student, became an overnight sensation after going viral on social media.