Shosholoza

Shosholoza is a popular South African song. It was composed in 1959 by Todd Matshikiza. The Zulu word Shosholoza means " Courageous look ahead " or " We attack ."

It was originally sung by Ndebele miners from the then Rhodesia, while they entered the mines in the Transvaal. Traditionally Shosholoza sung in changing patterns as call and response of groups of men.

Versions

The song has been known since the 1960s in the United States and in Europe. Pete Seeger sang it in his concert at Carnegie Hall on June 8, 1963, which is considered a milestone. There is also a version of the butterflies from the year 1971. In Germany the song, among others from the movies The crocodile and his Hippo (1979, on the soundtrack CD in Italian spelling ciocio - ciociolosa ), The Gods Must Be Crazy is (1980 ) and Invictus - Invictus (2009 ) is known. Many more contemporary artists interpreted this folk song, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Themba Mkhize, PJ Powers, The Glue, Peter Gabriel, Heinz Rudolf Kunze and Helmut Lotti.

The text varies slightly with the different performers. Here is an example text:

" Shosholoza Shosholoza Ku lezontaba Stimela siphum ' eSouth Africa Wenu yabaleka Wenu yabaleka Ku lezontaba Stimela siphum ' eSouth Africa "

" It's moving fast, moving strong through these mountains Train from South Africa you're driving you're driving through these mountains Train from South Africa "

In previous versions was sung instead of " South Africa" ​​" Rhodesia " (English for Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe) to hear the crocodile and hippopotamus be including in the aforementioned film.

Sports

In 1995, the song was sung in the stadium, as the South African national team won the Rugby Union World Cup in 1995.

During the Football World Cup 2010 in South Africa sang the African helpers, who worked for the German national team, the exodus of players from the square Shosholoza.

Other meanings

• The type of train Shosholoza Meyl
• This name also carries the South African sailing team, which has participated in the America's Cup. It is the first African sailing team in the more than 150-year history of the America 's Cup.
• The German choir project Shosholoza sings and dances for projects in South Africa who are involved with music and theater for reconciliation between black and white, crime prevention and education about HIV / AIDS. It was originally established to provide a voice of nonviolent anti -apartheid movement in South Africa.