Umshini wami
Umshini wami, also known as Awuleth' Umshini Wami (English, Bring me my machine), is a popular Zulu language "struggle song" used formerly by members of the Umkhonto we Sizwe militant branch of the African National Congress during the apartheid era in South Africa's history. Most recently, the song is identified with the persona of Jacob Zuma, a former MK member and Deputy President of the ANC who later became the President of the party, and is often sung at rallies which involve him and his supporters, including the current composition of the Youth League. Literally the isiZulu expression means 'Bring me my machine'. Either it be a gun, a political machine or something else is subjective and can change within the context and era at which the song is sung.
Lyrics
| Zulu | English |
|---|---|
| Umshini wami mshini wami (lead) khawuleth'umshini wami (Follower) Umshini wami mshini wami, khawuleth'umshini wami Umshini wami mshini wami, khawuleth'umshini wami khawuleth'umshini wami Wen'uyang'ibambezela(Lead) umshini wami, khawuleth'umshini wami(Follower) |
My machine my machine Gun Please bring my machine gun My machine gun my machine gun Please bring my machine gun My machine gun my machine gun Please bring my machine gun Please bring my machine gun You're pulling me back My machine gun, Please bring my machine gun[1] |
Popularity and controversy
In October 2006, the song was made available as a ringtone by Zuma's defence fund through its website.[2] A remix of the song was created by rapper See4 in which the song refers to a microphone rather than a machine gun[3]. The song has gained controversy in 21st-century South Africa because of its association with the violence of the apartheid period, and is increasingly seen as misplaced because of the rise in violent crime throughout the country since the beginning of the current multiracial order in 1994. In 2008, Zuma expressed a somewhat muted displeasure at the singing of it by violent, xenophobic mobs[4].
Umdzidzi wami
Since the Jacob Zuma Rape trial several more versions of this song have been made, as well as some containing lyrics of a satirical nature [citation needed]. The song is in Isiswati and is called Umdzidzi wami or Khawuleth umdzidzi wami. The song is popular in many shebeens and taverns in South Africa.
References
- ^ Lyrics
- ^ IOL - " JZ trust to cash in on Zuma ringtone"
- ^ See4 - "Umshini wami" remix
- ^ "Umshini isn't a song to kill, says Zuma". IOL. Retrieved May 23.
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