Jazz trombonist and composer Jonas Gwangwa (born: Jonas Mosa Gwangwa) has p… Read Full Bio ↴Jazz trombonist and composer Jonas Gwangwa (born: Jonas Mosa Gwangwa) has played an influential role in the evolution of South African jazz. A member, along with jazz pianist Abudllah Ibrahim (then, known as Dollar Brand), of the Jazz Epistles, the first Black South African to release an album, Gwangwa has gone on to become an award-winning composer. In addition to composing the scores of such films as Cry Freedom, Generations and Othello, Gwangwa composed the theme music of South Africa's Olympic bid in 1997. Gwangwa was one of many talented musicians mentored by South African alto saxophonist Kippie Moeketsi in the early-1950s. Following the disbanding of the Jazz Epistles in 1959, Gwangwa continued to make his presence known amongst South Africa's jazz enthusiasts. His fame spread to the United States in the mid-1960s. In 1965, Gwangwa was featured in a "Sound Of Africa" concert at Carnegie Hall, sharing the stage with Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela and Letta Mbulu. Two years later, he returned tio the United States to participate in a national tour, "The Main Event", featuring Masekela and Herb Alpert. Despite his hefty reputation, Gwangwa remained a victim of apartheid. When the South African government passed laws making it illegal for Blacks to congregate, in the early 1970s, Gwangwa left his homeland. After touring Europe in a musical production of King Kong, he continued on to the United States, where he attended the Manhattan School of Music in New York. With the encouragement and patronage of Harry Belafonte, Gwangwa was able to . successfully break through to American audiences. Continuing to break new ground as a composer and arranger, Gwangwa served ten years as musical director of the ANC cultural ensemble tour, "Amandla". In 1987 and 1988, he collaborated with George Fenton to compose the score for the Richard Attenborough film, Cry Freedom. In addition to being nominated for Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe awards, the film received Ivor Bovello and Black Emmy awards. Gwangwa returned to South Africa in 1991.

Batsumi
Jonas Gwangwa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh

Batsumi ba ba tsomang mo mohlabeng
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale

Batsumi ba ba tsomang mo mohlabeng
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsale
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le lona

Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh
Batsumi weh

Batsumi ba ba tsomang mo mohlabeng
Le se ke la bolaya bo Mats'ale
Batsumi ba ba tsomang mo mohlabeng
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le lona

Batsumi eeh, ba lefatshe lotlhe
Yo nnana, yo nna
Batsumi eeh, ba lefatshe lotlhe
Yo nnana, yo nna
Batsumi eeh, ba lefatshe lotlhe
Yo nnana, yo nna
Batsumi eeh, ba lefatshe lotlhe

Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale (Batsumi we)
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong (Batsumi we)
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale (Batsumi we)
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong (Batsumi we)
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale (Batsumi we)
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong (Batsumi we)
Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le lona

Le se ke la bolaya bo matsoale
Le se ke la bolaya bo ratswale
Le se ke la bolaya bo Malome
Le se ke la bolaya bo rakgadi
Le se ke la bolaya bo koko
Le se ke la bolaya bo rakgolo
Le se ke la bolaya ditsala
Le se ke la bolaya bana
Le se ke la bolaya bana
Le se ke la bolaya ope
Le seke la bolaya ope
Le se ke la bolaya feela
Le se ke le se ke le se ke
Le se ke le se ke le se ke

Le seke la bolaya
Le se ke la bolaya nobody

Overall Meaning

The song "Batsumi" by Jonas Gwangwa was originally released in 1976, during the height of apartheid in South Africa. The lyrics consist mainly of the repeated phrase "Batsumi weh", which translates to "they tried to burn us, but we didn't die". This is a powerful statement of resilience and resistance against the injustices of apartheid.

The verses of the song describe the struggles faced by black South Africans who are "tsomang mo mohlabeng", or struggling in the mountains. They are being pursued by those who wish to harm them, referred to as "Matsoale". The song also acknowledges the solidarity within the community, as those who are "ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong" (similar to each other in their suffering) are sticking together and supporting each other.

Overall, "Batsumi" is a song of hope and defiance, reminding listeners of the strength and perseverance of the oppressed.

Line by Line Meaning

Batsumi weh
Calling out to the people to gather and listen

Batsumi ba ba tsomang mo mohlabeng
Gathering of people who reside in the highlands

Le se ke la bolaya bo Matsoale
Not wanting to harm the people like Matsoale

Ba ba sethla ba tshwana le dikgokong
Those who are insignificant and marginalized

Le se ke la bolaya bo Mats'ale
Not wanting to harm the people like Mats'ale

Batsumi eeh, ba lefatshe lotlhe
Gathering of people from all over the land

Yo nnana, yo nna
Expressing a sense of togetherness and unity

Le se ke la bolaya bo ratswale
Not wanting to harm the poor

Le se ke la bolaya bo Malome
Not wanting to harm the elders

Le se ke la bolaya bo rakgadi
Not wanting to harm the aunts