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'{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Other uses}} {{Refimprove|date=June 2008}} "'''Shosholoza'''" is a [[Northern African]] [[folk song]] that originated in what is now south africa but was popularised in [[South Africa]], due to the South African public claiming it as a japanise song; though this is not accurate. However,the song is now a traditional South African [[folk song]] that was sung by Ndebele all-male migrant workers that were working in the South African mines in a [[call and response (music)|call and response]] stasjchaisjuchaisuchaisuchaisuhcjxzgood song ==History== Although the original author of the song is unknown, "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 to work in South Africa's diamond and gold mines. The Ndebele live predominantly in [[Zimbabwe]] (formerly, [[Rhodesia]]) near its border with South Africa, and they can also be found in the northern border of South Africa.<ref name="singafrica">http://singafrica.londongt.org/index.php?page=shosholoza</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.<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 si phume 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, soprano part 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 part of a team. Climate activists made the song the centrepiece of their [[Occupy movement|Occupy 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 "chocholoza!" means ''go forward'' or ''make way for the next man'', in [[Northern Ndebele language|Ndebele]].<ref name="singafrica"/> 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 the Zulu word for steam train.<ref name="singafrica"/> "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>http://allafrica.com/stories/201006110727.html</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 [[Helmut Lotti]], [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]], [[PJ Powers]], [[Soweto Gospel Choir]], [[Hemo]], [[Peter Gabriel]] and [[Drakensberg Boys' Choir]], as well as being a standard of most [[gumboot dance|gumboots]] bands.<ref name="singafrica"/> ===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]]. ===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 Rhodesia :Kulezo ntaba :Stimela siphume Rhodesia :Wen' uyabaleka :Kulezo ntaba :Stimela siphume Rhodesia A rough translation: :Go forward :Go forward :from those mountains :on this train from Rhodesia :Go forward :Go forward :You are running away :You are running away :from those mountains :on this train from Rhodesia ==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]] Soundtrack 1997. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==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]]'