When Hantjie Jansen hears the unexpected news that his uncle Jaques, Drum Major of the Old Righteous Blues Kerskoor, is finally resigning, he sees himself as the perfect candidate for new Drum Major, a role he was born to. This is his chance to revive the skills and ranking of the once illustrious band. His brother Elvin is a little less optimistic about Hantjie’s chances.
Twenty years before, the community had been ruptured during a bloody leadership battle for the reins of Old Righteous Blues, led by Hantjie’s father. Families were split into enemy camps, the town divided into no-go-zones, and the band itself split in two, giving rise to the rival New Old Righteous Blues with Hantjie’s father as Drum Major. Revenge for this travesty was swift, resulting in Hantjie’s mother being forced to take the children and move back into her mother’s house.
Upon his father’s death, a certain Mr Cupido became Drum Major. Both Hantjie and Elvin – now considered the best Kerskoor trumpeter in the Western Cape – were affiliated with the original Old Righteous Blues band, living with the shame of the band’s slow and painful demise under the leadership of their mother’s brother, Oom Jaques.
Unbeknown to Hantjie, his brother Elvin has been practicing in secret with the rival band, in preparation for the day when he leaves to join them…
Hantjie tries out for new Drum Major, confident that he is their only choice. But that is not to be, the position has already been promised to the lacklustre and inexperienced Lamont, Hantjie’s cousin – a cruel punishment meted out upon Hantjie for his father’s sins.
One morning, while passing the local school Hantjie has a new and revolutionary plan for the marching squadron of the band. He realises that he can revitalise the band with colourful new ideas and routines that would capture the imagination of all the youth, if only he got the chance to show them off.
Hantjie and Risi, daughter of Mr Cupido, leader of the rival band, have been secretly dating since their school days. Hantjie asks Risi to introduce him to her grandfather, a legendary Drum Major in his day, and one of the founders of the original band in the 50’s. Risi is uncertain, it would risk exposing their relationship, but relents. Risi’s grandfather is impressed with Hantjie’s ideas which could revolutionise the tradition of the Kerskore. But he will need the support of his band members to do so and be prepared to go up against a bitter and biased committee. It will take all Hantjie’s resolve to make his dream come true and restore the band to its previous glory.
