Mahlathini, the Queens and the Makgona Tsohle Band had become famous as ind… Read Full Bio ↴Mahlathini, the Queens and the Makgona Tsohle Band had become famous as individual artists, but had frequently recorded together since 1964. It was only in 1986, when the demand for South African music arose through Paul Simon's Graceland album, that Gallo Record Company (the three artists' label) paired them together permanently.

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.

Sihambile
Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sihambe bo
Sihambile (Sesibuyile)
Sihambe bo (Sesibuyile)
Sihambe bo
Sihambile (Sesibuyile)

Besisaye ngaphesheya kwezilwande
Besisaye ngaphesheya kolwandle

Sesibuya khona kwelaseJarmane
NeAustralia nakhona bayasazi
NaseHolland sesabagiyela
Sibuya kuwo wonke amazwe womhlaba
Bajabulile

Sesibuya khona kwelaseJarmane
NeAustralia nakhona bayasazi
NaseHolland sesabagiyela
Sibuya kuwo wonke amazwe womhlaba
Bajabulile

It's a pride to sing your own music
Aah music, music
We like music

It's a pride to travel the whole world mgomculo
Ooh umculo
Siyawuthanda umculo

Sayishay'ingoma
Kwasukum'izalukazi
Zazam'ukulilizela
Namakhehla azam'ukushay'indlamu

Sayishay'ingoma
Kwasukum'izalukazi
Zazam'ukulilizela
Namakhehla azam'ukushay'indlamu
Asisakhulumi ngentsha yona ehlal'ijakadula

Ijabulile
Aah music, music
We like music

It's a pride to travel the whole world mgomculo
Ooh umculo
Siyawuthanda umculo

Uma sekushisw'inkundla bathi alufakwa
Lubuye ngodaka
Ikakhulukazi uma simemeza sithi

Yebo!
Yebo, yebo, yebo

Uma sekushisw'inkundla bathi alufakwa
Lubuye ngodaka
Ikakhulukazi uma simemeza sithi

Yebo!

Sayishay'ingoma
Kwasukum'izalukazi
Zazam'ukulilizela
Namakhehla azam'ukushay'indlamu

Sayishay'ingoma
Kwasukum'izalukazi
Zazam'ukulilizela
Namakhehla azam'ukushay'indlamu
Asisakhulumi ngentsha yona ehlal'ijakadula

Ijabulie
Aah music, music
We like music

Sayishay'ingoma
Kwasukum'izalukazi
Zazam'ukulilizela
Namakhehla azam'ukushay'indlamu
Asisakhulumi ngentsha yona ehlal'ijakadula

Ijabulie
Aah music, music
We like music

Sayishay'ingoma
Kwasukum'izalukazi
Zazam'ukulilizela
Namakhehla azam'ukushay'indlamu
Asisakhulumi ngentsha yona ehlal'ijakadula

Ijabulie
Aah music, music

Overall Meaning

The Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens song "Sihambile" is a celebration of music and travel. The lyrics in Zulu describe traveling to different parts of the world, such as Germany, Australia, and Holland, and experiencing the joy of sharing their music and culture with others. The chorus "Sihambe bo, Sihambile" means "Let's go, we have arrived."

The song also talks about the importance of preserving their traditional music and dances, such as "indlamu". They sing about the pride and joy they feel when they perform and share their music with others, and how it brings people together despite language barriers. Despite facing criticisms and challenges, the song encourages the listeners to keep singing and dancing, as their music is a vital part of their identity and heritage.

Overall, "Sihambile" is a lively and uplifting song that celebrates the beauty and power of music and encourages listeners to embrace and celebrate their cultural heritage.

Line by Line Meaning

Sihambe bo
Let's go

Sihambile (Sesibuyile)
We have embarked on a journey (and are back)

Besisaye ngaphesheya kwezilwande
We've travelled beyond the mountains

Besisaye ngaphesheya kolwandle
We have travelled beyond the sea

Sesibuya khona kwelaseJarmane
We have returned from Germany

NeAustralia nakhona bayasazi
And we were also in Australia, but nobody knows

NaseHolland sesabagiyela
We danced with the people of Holland

Sibuya kuwo wonke amazwe womhlaba
We have visited every nation in the world

Bajabulile
They were happy to see us back

It's a pride to sing your own music
It's an honor to perform music that is true to one's culture

Aah music, music
Music is such a wonderful expression