Words & Music: Traditional South African
Senzenina is a dignified complaint, an outcry against being forced to suffer merely for having dark skin. Most of us folks in the choir are on the pale side, but feel that when an injury is done to some of our human family, then all sisters and brothers should take up the cry. The process of internalising the experience of others is one that brings us all closer together. It is the essence of solidarity, and when it involves sharing music, then joy and sorrow are communicated in a universal language.
Lyrics:
Senzenina? Senzenina?
Wenzenina uMandela?
Sono sethu bubumnyama
Wabulele afe wonke
Senzenina? Senzenina?
Translation:
What have we done?
What has Mandela done?
Our only crime is being black!
They have killed, let them die, all of them!
What have we done?
