Short Documentary: GHAM! Ons het lyn
GHAM! Ons het lyn offers an intimate glimpse into the world of The Temple Boys: Chadley Dick, Dylin Adams, Terriano Duimpies, and Ronin Johannes. This group hails from Ravensmead near Cape Town, and their Afrikaans hits in the Gqom genre, including “Saggies”, once seemed like an opportunity to escape the Cape Flats for these four young men. But three years after their viral TikTok fame, the group now grapples with broken dreams, questions of identity, and the challenges of growing up.
This raw documentary captures the group’s resilience, humour, and do-it-yourself spirit, as well as their battle to keep the dream alive, even after being financially exploited by some of their agents.
Director Eric Says, also known as Eric Snyders, shares more about the documentary:
How did you discover the Temple Boys, and what inspired you to bring this documentary to life?
I’m a producer and director interested in understanding how popular media and culture shape community and identity. Music plays a big part in the stories I connect with.
My brother Wesley, a music producer based in Elsies River, introduced me to the Temple Boys before they became popular. And when they went viral with “Saggies”, I naturally followed their journey. Their fusion of Afrikaans lyrics with Gqom beats fascinated me – especially considering this unique blend originated in Ravensmead.
The emergence of a new sub-genre rooted in Afrikaans is what initially drew me in. I thought the Silwerskermfees would be a great platform to introduce this sound. But as we started spending time with the guys, we realised there was also a deeper story of perseverance, hope, and exploitation beneath the surface.
The four were remarkably open and honest with you. How did that influence your approach?
It took time to build that trust – with them as a group, and as individuals. The hardest part was figuring out what the real story was. Our editor, Dirk Smit, was brilliant in the way he shaped the narrative. As a director, it’s easy to get lost in the details. Dirk brought an outside perspective that really helped mould the story. The film truly came to life in post-production.
What message do you want to share with GHAM!?
We live in a country full of challenges, and one of them is highlighting the untapped potential of our youth. It might sound like a cliché, but I hope the message comes through: no matter who or where you are, if you want to do something, start with what you have. You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect. The guys’ self-help mindset is truly inspiring.
Any standout moments during your time with the Temple Boys?
On the last day and a half of filming, we shot at Mr. Gham (Dylin)’s house. What really struck me was how warm and welcoming everyone was – to the boys and us. This is a violent environment they live in, yet the warmth was palpable.
During the day, it felt like we were on the set of a superhero movie, with kids yelling and running around everywhere. Everyone wanted to be on camera. Our cinematographer, Alfonzo Franke, was the main man. Granny Anne baked koeksisters for everyone. It was a truly heartwarming experience.
It sounds like everyone contributed something to “Saggies”, but was there one person behind the lyrics?
That’s the craziest part – they never actually wrote down the lyrics. It was just a jam session. “Saggies”, especially, was Mr. Werkhom (Chadley)’s lyrics, which happened to match the beat perfectly. Apparently, he has no idea where it came from – he just started with “get your learner’s before you try to drive me …” and the rest is history.
What I did notice is that they don’t take themselves too seriously. The rawness of their lyrics is what binds them.
The dark side of poor management is also addressed in the film. The group believes they were exploited by their agents. Were any steps taken?
No, unfortunately not. None of the artists or their families had the knowledge or contacts to challenge the agents. The guys were young and naive, and their parents didn’t know any better. So, there were no agreements in place to protect them. That makes it incredibly hard to seek any real justice for what happened.
Do you think the Temple Boys’ careers can reignite?
They’re back in the studio and just released a new single titled “My Man, My Man”. They’re also working on a new album and have started performing again. I believe this marks the beginning of their comeback, and it’s important that this documentary serves as a timely reminder for them – a way to reconnect with who they are. I have no doubt that the Temple Boys will find success again.
What’s next for you as a filmmaker?
I’m working on my first feature-length documentary, Finding Vicus. It’s about the search for South Africa’s own Justin Bieber – Vicus Visser. It’s a wild hunt for a decade-old sensation, from a time before going viral was even a thing.