Professor’s New Song “Is’koqokoqo” Raises Awareness About Cash-in-Transit Heists in South Africa
South African kwaito star Professor is using his music to speak out against cash-in-transit heists and the devastating risks these crimes pose to security guards and communities. His new song, “Is’koqokoqo,” featuring Essa Kay and Larny, forms part of a campaign aimed at raising awareness about these violent robberies and encouraging young people to reject crime. The track addresses the difficult social and economic conditions facing many South Africans, particularly young people who struggle to find employment and opportunities to improve their lives. However, Professor stresses that poverty and unemployment should never become excuses for harming others or engaging in criminal activities. Through the song, the veteran musician delivers a message of unity, responsibility and the importance of considering the consequences of decisions made in the pursuit of money.
Professor, whose real name is Mkhonzeni Langa, comes from Umlazi, south of Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. Known for his contribution to South African kwaito, he has built a music career around songs that connect with local audiences and reflect aspects of everyday life. His musical catalogue includes popular tracks such as “Imoto,” “Jezebel” and “Fingerprints.” With “Is’koqokoqo,” he turns his attention to a serious public safety issue that continues to affect the country. Rather than focusing only on the financial losses caused by cash-in-transit robberies, Professor highlights the human cost of these crimes, particularly the danger faced by security personnel who transport cash. His latest release demonstrates how established musicians can use their platforms to bring attention to social problems and encourage more responsible choices.
Cash-in-transit heists involve the robbery of vehicles or operations transporting money between businesses, banks and other financial institutions. These crimes can involve firearms, explosives and violent confrontations, placing security guards, members of the public and even the perpetrators at risk. Although criminals may target the money being transported, the consequences extend far beyond the immediate financial loss. Security guards face the possibility of serious injury or death while carrying out their duties, while nearby motorists, pedestrians and residents can also be exposed to danger. The violence associated with these robberies can leave lasting emotional and financial consequences for families and communities. Professor’s “Is’koqokoqo” draws attention to these risks and challenges listeners to consider the lives affected whenever a robbery takes place.
The scale of the problem remains a concern in South Africa. According to figures attributed to the Cash-In-Transit Association of South Africa, nearly 120 robberies were recorded between January and mid-August 2026. This reported figure highlights the continued need for public awareness, crime prevention and stronger efforts to protect people involved in cash transportation. Each incident represents more than an attempt to steal money, as it can expose workers and bystanders to potentially fatal violence. Professor’s campaign uses music to bring the issue into everyday conversations, particularly among listeners who may not regularly engage with formal crime prevention messages. By connecting the subject to a familiar musical style, he aims to encourage people to think about the broader consequences of cash-in-transit heists.
Professor has made it clear that limited employment opportunities cannot justify criminal behaviour. He acknowledges that unemployment and poverty create serious challenges for many South Africans, but argues that harming other people is not an acceptable way to overcome those difficulties. His message recognises the frustration experienced by people who struggle to find work or support themselves and their families. At the same time, he warns that criminal activity can have devastating consequences for everyone involved. A person who participates in a robbery may face arrest, imprisonment or death, while innocent workers and members of the public may suffer injuries or lose their lives. Through “Is’koqokoqo,” Professor encourages listeners to consider these outcomes before making decisions that could permanently change their futures.
The song also addresses the influence of peer pressure on young people. Professor believes that some individuals become involved in crime because of the company they keep or the desire to gain acceptance within a particular social group. When criminal behaviour is presented as a quick route to money, status or recognition, vulnerable young people may feel pressured to follow the same path. However, these choices can expose them to violence, criminal prosecution and long-term difficulties that make it harder to build stable lives. Professor argues that unity and positive relationships can help young people resist these pressures. His message encourages them to support one another, pursue lawful opportunities and recognise that a better future does not have to come at the expense of someone else’s safety.
Growing up in Umlazi has helped Professor understand some of the challenges faced by young people trying to survive in difficult circumstances. His background gives context to his comments about unemployment, social pressure and the choices people make when opportunities appear limited. Rather than dismissing these struggles, he acknowledges that they require serious attention and collective action. However, he also emphasises the importance of personal responsibility and the need to avoid solutions that put other lives at risk. His call for young people to unite reflects the belief that communities can help create safer environments by encouraging positive behaviour and rejecting criminal activity. Through his music and public message, he seeks to promote a culture in which cooperation and lawful ways of earning a living take priority over violence and quick financial gain.
The involvement of Essa Kay and Larny adds to the collaborative nature of “Is’koqokoqo.” The recently released song brings together the artists around a shared message about the dangers of cash-in-transit heists and the importance of making responsible choices. Kwaito has long provided a platform for artists to reflect the experiences, concerns and aspirations of South African communities. By using the genre to address a current social issue, Professor connects entertainment with a message intended to encourage reflection. The song gives listeners an opportunity to engage with the subject through music while considering the consequences of violent crime. Its campaign focus also places the release within a wider conversation about the role that musicians and other public figures can play in promoting social awareness.
Professor’s approach highlights the potential for music to contribute to crime prevention discussions without replacing the practical measures needed to address crime. Songs can help make difficult subjects more accessible, especially when artists speak to audiences who recognise their experiences and cultural references. However, lasting progress also depends on effective policing, support for victims, employment opportunities and community initiatives that help young people develop safer alternatives. Families, schools, community organisations and local leaders can all contribute by creating environments where young people feel supported and have access to positive guidance. Addressing unemployment and poverty also requires sustained efforts to expand opportunities for education, skills development and lawful employment. Professor’s message reinforces the idea that individual choices matter, while recognising that communities and institutions also have important roles in tackling the conditions that can contribute to crime.
Through “Is’koqokoqo,” Professor delivers a direct message against cash-in-transit heists and the violence that puts security guards and ordinary South Africans in danger. By combining his experience as a kwaito artist with concerns about unemployment, peer pressure and youth development, he encourages listeners to reject crime and consider the consequences of their actions. His message does not dismiss the economic difficulties facing many people, but stresses that those difficulties should not lead to decisions that destroy lives or result in imprisonment. The song also calls for greater unity, urging young people to support one another and seek better opportunities through lawful means. As South Africa continues to confront the dangers of cash-in-transit robberies, Professor’s latest release adds a musical voice to the call for safer communities, personal responsibility and a future in which financial hardship does not become a reason to put human lives at risk.
