Traditional South African
During the student demonstrations in Soeweto this song reportedly turned back heavily armed South African riot police.
We’re not afraid to go to prison
Freedom is the cause for which we fight
We are the united children of Africa
Freedom is the cause for which we fight
This heavy load upon our shoulders
Will require all our strength.
We’re determined to win our freedom.
Words and music: Traditional South African
Arranged: Miguel Heatwole 1993
Often a big finisher at our gigs is this South African collection. It starts with Thina Sizwe, a poignant demand for the land stolen from the black nation by the whites. Reflecting the admirable ability that people sometimes have of celebrating in the face of adversity the exuberant Afrika O Afrika urges her people to “dry your tears! Who’s crying now?” – and we follow this with Makhosikazi a militant song from the women of South Africa for their sisters everywhere. The melody, carried by the sopranos, is traditional but the two counterpointed harmonies are by Miguel Heatwole. The medley closes with a tribute to Nelson Mandela that we learned for his 1990 visit to Sydney and sang again for him ten years later. Rolihlahla is Mandela’s first name and it translates as “pulling the branch of a tree” – meaning a troublemaker.
As for us, the black nation, we cry for our country which was taken by the whites. We say they should leave our land. The children of Africa cry for their country.
(call and response)
Thina Sizwe – Thina Sizwe esintsundu
Sikalela – Sikalela izwe lethu
Elathathwa – Elathathwa ngabamhlope
Elathathwa – Elathathwa ngabamhlope
Mabayekhe – (Sithi) mabayek’ umhlaba wethu
Mabayekhe – (Sithi) mabayek’ umhlaba wethu
Abantwana – Abantwana be Africa
Bakhalela – Bakhalela izwe labo
Elathathwa – Elathathwa ngabamhlope
Elathathwa – Elathathwa ngabamhlope
Mabayekhe – (Sithi) mabayek’ umhlaba wethu
Mabayekhe – (Sithi) mabayek’ umhlaba wethu
Thina Sizwe – Thina Sizwe esintsundu.
Africa, O Africa !
Who’s crying now?
Be comforted mother
Who’s crying now?
Afrika, O Afrika
Ngubanina olilayo?
Thula mama, thula mama
Ngubanina olilayo?
Women, it is our year.
When they touched the women
They touched a grinding stone
Watch out, you’re going to die
Makhozikazi
Ngula nyaka wethu
Wathint’ abafazi
Wathinta imbokodo
Basopha uzakufa
(call and response)
Rolihlahla Mandela
Freedom is in your hands
Show us the way to freedom
In this land of Africa
Mandela, Mandela, Mandela
Mandela says freedom now
Now we say away with slavery
In this land of Africa
Solidarity Choir 