Mahlathini was known as the "Lion of Soweto" (his voice was a low, "gravel-like" groan) and was well known throughout South Africa and neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe and Botswana during his career. He began singing in the 1950s, often working in conjunction with top producer Rupert Bopape at EMI South Africa, and often performing with the girl group the Dark City Sisters. When Bopape moved to Gallo Record Company in 1964 to start up the new African subsidiary, Mavuthela Music, he brought Mahlathini with him. The bass vocalist's career then took off. He was backed by Bopape's newly-formed Makgona Tsohle Band (soon to become the hardest-working mbaqanga session team in the country, led by the country's electric guitar pioneer Marks Mankwane as well as saxophone star West Nkosi) and often recorded with Bopape's newly-formed (and highly-successful) Mahotella Queens.
Mahotella Queens was initially a group of five female vocalists established at the Mavuthela division in 1964 by Bopape, who introduced Hilda Tloubatla to sing the main lead vocals. The Queens began recording hit singles and albums with their backing, the Makgona Tsohle Band, and were often fronted by Mahlathini. In 1971, Mahlathini signed with rival company EMI, and the original Queens all ended up joining rival girl groups. Bopape formed a new Mahotella Queens line-up, who most notably recorded the 1977 album Izibani Zomgqashiyo with Robert "Mbazo" Mkhize (in the place of Mahlathini). In 1983, the original five Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu, Mildred Mangxola, Juliet Mazamisa and Ethel Mngomezulu) reunited with Mahlathini and the Makgona Tsohle Band with the comeback release Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo (Heroes of Mgqashiyo Music). After one more hiatus, three of the Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola) regrouped full-time in 1986.
Awuthule kancane
Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ikhon'int'engiyizwayo ezindlebeni zami
Ake nithule kancane, ake nithule kancane bo
Ikhon'int'engiyizwayo ezindlebeni zami
Ooh ngwaah, ooh ngwaah
Ooh ngwaah, ooh ngwaah
Pata pata athi bhu ngomhlane
Ooh ngwaah, ooh ngwaah
Ooh ngwaah, ooh ngwaah
Pata pata athi bhu ngomhlane
Umntanyana uyacathula
Uyabambelela akafun'ukuwa
Athi bhu ngomhlane
Umntanyana usacathula
Umntanyana uyacathula
Uyabambelela akafun'ukuwa
Athi bhu ngomhlane
Umntanyana usacathula
Ooh ngwaah, ooh ngwaah
Ooh ngwaah, ooh ngwaah
Pata pata athi bhu ngomhlane
Thula mfana, thula sana
Thula muntuza
Umam'uyeza uzokwenzela ijokwe
Thula mfana, thula sana
Thula muntuza
Umam'uyeza uzokwenzela ijokwe
Thula ngithi thula
Umam'uyeza uzokwenzela ijokwe
Thula ngithi thula
Umam'uyeza uzokwenzela ijokwe
When a child is born in Africa
We're all real happy
Because the future is theirs
They are the future
Oh it's a country of misery
When a child is born in Africa
We're all real happy
Because the future is theirs
They are the future
It's a country of misery
Mhh when a child is born in Africa
We're all real happy
Thula mfana, thula sana
Thula muntuza
Umam'uyeza uzokwenzela ijokwe
Thula mfana, thula sana
Thula muntuza
Umam'uyeza uzokwenzela ijokwe
Thula mfana, thula sana
Thula muntuza
Umam'uyeza uzokwenzela ijokwe
Thula mfana, thula sana
Thula muntuza
Umam'uyeza uzokwenzela ijokwe
Thula ngithi thula
Umam'uyeza uzokwenzela ijokwe
Thula ngithi thula
The song "Awuthule Kancane" by Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens is a beautiful blend of traditional African music styles with the added flavor of modern instrumentation. At first glance, the lyrics may seem like a simple lullaby or folk song, but the deeper meaning behind the words is quite profound. The chorus "Awuthule kancane" translates from Zulu to "be quiet for a while". This phrase is repeated throughout the song, as if to encourage us to silence our minds and listen to the voice of the singer.
The first verse of the song talks about the singer's ears being full of noise and chaos, but then encourages us to quieten down and listen to the voice of the singer. This is a metaphor for the distractions and busy-ness of our lives that prevent us from hearing the truth and beauty of the world around us. The second verse talks about the joy and hope that a new child brings into the world and the responsibility we have to care for and nurture them.
Overall, "Awuthule Kancane" is a beautiful and poignant song that reminds us to slow down and listen to the beauty around us, even amidst the chaos of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Awuthule kancane, kawuthule kancane
Be quiet, speak softly
Ikhon'int'engiyizwayo ezindlebeni zami
The noise I hear is in my head
Ake nithule kancane, ake nithule kancane bo
Let us be quiet, speak softly
Ooh ngwaah, ooh ngwaah
Sound of happiness
Pata pata athi bhu ngomhlane
Dance, dance and say bhu
Umntanyana uyacathula
The boy is making noise
Uyabambelela akafun'ukuwa
He is holding on to something and unwilling to let go
Thula mfana, thula sana
Quiet boy, quiet my child
Thula muntuza
Quiet, dear one
Umam'uyeza uzokwenzela ijokwe
Mother is coming to make cornmeal porridge
When a child is born in Africa
In Africa, the birth of a child brings joy
We're all real happy
Everyone is overwhelmed with happiness
Because the future is theirs
The future belongs to the children
They are the future
The children represent hope for the future
Oh it's a country of misery
However, Africa also has a lot of hardship and suffering
Thula ngithi thula
Quiet, I say quiet
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deverdimas3513
Gracias África por tan lindo legado .. acá en Colombia se escucha mucho su música en especial la costa caribe ... Aunque la mayoría de la gente no entiende el idioma la bailan con gran entusiasmo .. solo el simple ritmo se te mete por las venas y te hace bailar como loco jajajaj . Que viva nuestra madre afrika
@frankocho8869
La letra es hermosa solo nos gusta ppr wue es nuestro legado genético ADN con orgullo africano
@marielavalenciasalazarh5013
Está Canción me Fascina., gracias África por esa Champeta tan Linda
@marielavalenciasalazarh5013
Todo el Tiempo me ha gustado está Champeta
@cristiancalderon326
Esta canción suena a domingo bajo un palo de mango y unas cervezas frías
@richardsonmzaidume8210
We lost this band's bass guitarist Joseph Makwela last year 2023 on August 1st. May his soul continue resting in peace. Thanks ntate Makwela for great memories.
@AnnaSPR90
La bailé en Santa Marta... que bellos recuerdos. 💕🇨🇴
@jorgepava9083
barranquilla costa norte de colombia se le conose como la "Muha" en verbenas o bailes populares de los 70 y aun en el 2022 se escucha y se baila rico este tema hermoso
@eliasramos1635
Gracias a los africanos por dejarnos su música como herencia en toda la costa caribe de Colombia 🍻
@yvesaimerakotoarison4486
❤ the best music