Examine individual changes

'{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Other uses}} {{Refimprove|date=June 2008}} "'''Shosholoza'''" is an [[Nguni languages|Nguni]] song that was sung by the mixed tribes of miners mining gold in [[South Africa]]. It is a mix of Zulu and Ndebele words, and can have various other South African languages thrown in depending on the singers. It was sung by all-male African workers that were working in the South African mines in a [[call and response (music)|call and response]] style. The song is so popular in South African culture that it is often referred to as South Africa's second national anthem. ==History== Although the original author of the song is Masingita Ngoveni, "Shosholoza" is a traditional miner's song, originally sung by groups of men from the Ndebele ethnic group that travelled by steam train from their homes in Zimbabwe (formerly known as [[Rhodesia]]) to work in South Africa's diamond and bitch gold mines. The Ndebele live predominantly in [[Zimbabwe]] near its border with South Africa.<ref name="singafrica">{{cite web|url=http://singafrica.londongt.org/index.php?page=shosholoza|title=Untitled|website=singafrica.londongt.org}}</ref> The song mixes [[Northern Ndebele people|Ndebele]] and [[Zulu people|Zulu]] words and is Zimbabwean in origin even though the two ethnic groups are very similar (see [[Nguni languages]]).<ref name="singafrica"/> Some people argue that the song describes the journey to the mines in South Africa, while others say it describes the return to Zimbabwe.<ref name="singafrica"/> It is also sometimes sung "stimela siphume Rhodesia". According to cultural researchers Booth and Nauright, [[Zulu people|Zulu]] workers later took up the song to generate rhythm during group tasks and to alleviate boredom and stress.<ref>Booth, D. and Nauright, J. 2007. Embodied Identities: Sport and Race in South Africa in Contours: A Journal of the African Diaspora, Spring 2003, Vol.1, No.1, accessed 09/08/07</ref> The song was sung by working miners in time with the rhythm of swinging their axes to dig. It was usually sung under hardship in [[call and response]] style (one man singing a solo line and the rest of the group responding by copying him).<ref name="singafrica"/> It was also sung by prisoners in call and response style using alto and soprano parts divided by row. The late former South African President [[Nelson Mandela]] described how he sang Shosholoza as he worked during his imprisonment on [[Robben Island]]. He described it as "a song that compares the [[apartheid]] struggle to the motion of an oncoming train" and went on to explain that "the singing made the work lighter".<ref>Mandela, N. 1994. Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, London: Little, Brown and Co., p. 394.</ref> In contemporary times, it is used in varied contexts in South Africa to show solidarity in sporting events and other national events to relay the message that the players are not alone and are always a part of a team. Climate activists made the song the centrepiece of their [[Occupy movement|Occupy]] [[2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference|COP17]] rally on 9 December 2011, the final day of the [[UN Climate Summit#2011 United Nations Climate Change Conference|United Nations climate treaty]] negotiations. Activists were calling on negotiators to "Stand With Africa" and agree to a legally binding and effective treaty.<ref>http://oneworldgroup.org/2011/12/09/flashmob-protest-on-last-day-of-cop17-durban-south-africa/</ref> ==Meaning== The song was usually sung to express the hardship of working in the mines. It expresses heartache over the hard work performed in the mines. The word ''Shosholoza'' or "tshotsholoza!" means ''go forward'' or ''make way for the next man'', in [[Northern Ndebele language|Ndebele]].<ref>Hadebe, S. 2001. Isichazamazwi SesiNdebele, Harare: College Press Publishers.</ref> It is used as a term of encouragement and hope for the workers as a sign of solidarity The sound "sho sho" uses [[onomatopoeia]] and reminiscent of the sound made by the steam train (''stimela'').<ref name="singafrica"/> Stimela is an Nguni word for steam train. "Kulezo ntaba!" means (At those far away mountains), "Stimela Siphume eZimbabwe" (the train come from Zimbabwe), "Wen' uya baleka" (Because you're running away/hurrying).<ref name="singafrica"/> In contemporary times, its meaning is to show support for any struggle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201006110727.html|title=South Africa: Shosholoza - the Unofficial Anthem That Will Inspire Bafana Bafana|first=Joseph|last=Opio|date=11 June 2010|publisher=|via=AllAfrica}}</ref> ==Pop culture references== The song is also used in pop culture to convey messages of hope and solidarity for athletes during competitions or in other times of hardship and distress. ===Recordings=== The song has been recorded by a variety of artists, including Pete Seeger, [[John Edmond]], [[Helmut Lotti]], [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]], [[PJ Powers]], [[Soweto Gospel Choir]], [[Hemo]], [[Peter Gabriel]] (as the B-side of his single "[[Biko (song)|Biko]]"), [[Sérgio Dias]] and [[Drakensberg Boys' Choir]], as well as being a standard of most [[gumboot dance|gumboots]] bands.<ref name="singafrica"/> <ref>1960's album</ref> ===Rugby World Cup 1995=== The song gained further popularity after South Africa won the [[1995 Rugby World Cup]], and is a favourite at sport events in South Africa. It was sung by the then Talk Radio 702 Breakfast Show co-host, Dan Moyane. The song was recorded, mastered and released in five days, having been mastered in the UK to get it ready in time for the first game in the 1995 RWC. It was conceptualised and produced by Famous Faces Management's CFF Stuart Lee. The record went gold in sales terms. ====Hollywood==== The South African [[a cappella]] group [[Overtone (musical group)|Overtone]] recorded the song for director [[Clint Eastwood]]'s movie ''[[Invictus (film)|Invictus]]'' (2009). ===FIFA World Cup 2010=== The song was also sung by the South African football team as they came onto the field of play to open the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]]. ===Who is America=== [[Sacha Baron Cohen]] sings this song in an attempt to calm angry Arizonites who do not welcome a construction of a mosque in their town. ===Other references=== The first African challengers for the [[America's Cup]], [[Team Shosholoza]], took their name from the song; as did the [[Shosholoza Meyl]], a long-distance passenger train service operating in South Africa. The song is also used as a campfire song by scouts in South Africa.<ref>http://www.scouting.org.za/songs/southafrican.php</ref> ==Lyrics== The lyrics of the song vary, as do the transcriptions. In the older traditional styles, the words translate to "train from Rhodesia".<ref name="singafrica"/> Such is the version heard in the movie ''[[The Gods Must Be Crazy]]'' and as sung by [[Pete Seeger]] in his album ''[[We Shall Overcome (album)|We Shall Overcome]]''. Here is one example: :Shosholoza :Kulezo ntaba :Stimela siphume South Africa :Shosholoza :Kulezo ntaba :Stimela siphume South Africa :Wen' uyabaleka :Kulezo ntaba :Stimela siphume South Africa A rough translation: :Go forward :Go forward :from those mountains :on this train from South Africa :Go forward :Go forward :You are running away :You are running away :from those mountains :on this train from South Africa ==Soundtracks== *"Shosholoza 2010": [[Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album]]. 2010 *[[Invictus (film)|Invictus Soundtrack]]: Overtone. 2009 *The Drakensberg Boys' Choir: The Very Best of the Drakensberg Boys. DBCS, 2004. *Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Long Walk to Freedom. Heads Up, 2006. *Soweto Gospel Choir: African Spirit. Shanachie, 2007. *[[Io sto con gli ippopotami|Io sto con gli ippopotam]] soundtrack 1979. *[[King Kong (1959 musical)]], London production, 1961. *"Shosholoza '99", performed by [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]] for the soundtrack of Brazilian sopa opera [[A Padroeira]]. ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== * [http://singafrica.londongt.org/index.php?page=shosholoza Learn How to Pronounce Lyrics] [[Category:Ndebele]]<!-- ethnic group category --> [[Category:South African folk songs]]<!-- country category --> [[Category:National symbols of South Africa]]<!-- country category --> [[Category:National symbols of Zimbabwe]]'