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 African'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.The song mixes Ndebele and Zulu words and is Zimbabwean in origin even though the two ethnic groups are very similar.Some people argue that the song describes the journey to the mines in South Africa, while others say it describes the return to Zimbabwe. It is also sometimes sung "stimela si phume Rhodesia". According to cultural researchers Booth and Nauright, Zulu workers later took up the song to generate rhythm during group tasks and to alleviate boredom and stress.The song was sung by working miners in time with the music beat as they were 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).It was also sung by prisoners in call and response style using alto, soprano part divided by row. Former South African President Nelson Mandela describes how he sang Shosholoza as he worked during his imprisonment on Robben Island. He describes it as "a song that compares the apartheid struggle to the motion of an oncoming train" and goes on to explain that "the singing made the work lighter".
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.
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.
This a-capella version is particularly fun. Enjoy!
Shosholoza | Kulezo ntaba | Stimela siphume South Africa
Wen' uyabaleka | Kulezo ntaba | Stimela siphume South Africa
A rough translation:
Go forward, on those mountains, train to South africa
You are running away, on those mountains, train to South Africa
