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.
Thuntshwane Basadi
Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Le monongwaga di tla sethopa
Kgarebe tsa ga Mosese di thopile sefoka pele ngwagola
Le monongwaga di tla sethopa
Ka kosha ya thuntshwane thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane, thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Ka kosha ya thuntshwane thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Ka kosha ya thuntshwane thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane, thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Mosalagae botsa, botsa mosadimogolo gore
Kgarebe tsa ga Mosese dithopile sefoka
Mosalagae botsa, botsa mosadimogolo gore
Kgarebe tsa ga Mosese dithopile sefoka
Ka kosha ya thuntshwane thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane, thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Ka kosha ya thuntshwane thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane, thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Mosalagae botsa, botsa mosadimogolo gore
Kgarebe tsa ga Mosese dithopile sefoka (Thuntshwane)
Mosalagae botsa, botsa mosadimogolo gore (Thuntshwane)
Kgarebe tsa ga Mosese dithopile sefoka (Thuntshwane)
Rona re bana ba go tsoga, ba go tsoga ka koko tsa pele
Ga re sale, ke ka moo re kgonang go thopa sefoka
Rona re bana ba go tsoga, ba go tsoga ka koko tsa pele
Ga re sale, ke ka moo re kgonang go thopa sefoka
Bjale re boile, re boile tlhokomelang re tla sethopa
Bjale re boile, re boile tlhokomelang re tla sethopa
Bjale re boile, re boile tlhokomelang re tla sethopa
Ka kosha ya thuntshwane thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane, thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
So come and join us, let’s share this moment together
You gonna feel the rhythm in your (Mbhaqanga is here to stay)
Come and join us let’s sing this song together because it comes from Soweto
(Mbhaqanga is here to stay)
Come and join us let’s share this rhythm together ‘cause it comes from Africa
Come and join us, let’s do mbhaqanga, ‘cause mbhaqanga is from Africa
Come and join us, let’s do mbhaqanga, ‘cause mbhaqanga is from Africa
The song "Thuntshwane Basadi" by Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens is a classic South African song that celebrates the power and beauty of women. The lyrics describe how the traditional attire worn by women in the rural areas of South Africa, known as "thuntshwane," is a symbol of their strength and resilience in the face of adversity. The lyrics also reference the passing of time and how even though things change, the thuntshwane-wearing women remain strong and steadfast.
The song opens with the line "Kgarebe tsa ga Mosese di thopile sefoka pele ngwagola," which roughly translates to "The years of Moses have passed, and now the new ones are coming." This references the passing of generations and how even though the time has passed, the tradition of wearing thuntshwane remains. The chorus, "Ka kosha ya thuntshwane thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane," celebrates the beauty of thuntshwane-wearing women and calls for everyone to come together and join the celebration.
The song continues with a call-and-response between the lead singer and the chorus, asking if they know about the strength and resilience of the thuntshwane-wearing women. The song ends with the lines "Come and join us, let's do mbhaqanga, 'cause mbhaqanga is from Africa," emphasizing the African roots of the music and the importance of celebrating African culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Kgarebe tsa ga Mosese di thopile sefoka pele ngwagola
The cattle of Mosese have been branded before the year began
Le monongwaga di tla sethopa
The future years will also be branded
Ka kosha ya thuntshwane thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Let's dance and sing together
Thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane, thuntshwane basadi thuntshwane
Dance and sing to the rhythm of mbhaqanga
Mosalagae botsa, botsa mosadimogolo gore
Mosalagae asks the old lady
Kgarebe tsa ga Mosese dithopile sefoka
The cattle of Mosese are branded
Rona re bana ba go tsoga, ba go tsoga ka koko tsa pele
We are the children of our forefathers
Ga re sale, ke ka moo re kgonang go thopa sefoka
We won't rest until we brand the cattle
Bjale re boile, re boile tlhokomelang re tla sethopa
Yes, we are ready, let's prepare ourselves for branding
Come and join us, let’s share this moment together
Let's come together and enjoy this rhythm
You gonna feel the rhythm in your (Mbhaqanga is here to stay)
You will feel the power of mbhaqanga in your soul
Come and join us let’s sing this song together because it comes from Soweto
Let's sing together and celebrate the music from Soweto
(Mbhaqanga is here to stay)
Mbhaqanga music will always be here
Come and join us let’s share this rhythm together ‘cause it comes from Africa
Let's dance and feel the African rhythm together
Come and join us, let’s do mbhaqanga, ‘cause mbhaqanga is from Africa
Let's dance to mbhaqanga music, which is from Africa
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@izera2009
Great!
@user-xv6tz3px9o
I love this music, from the 60s till now ❤❤❤
@akuasika6791
❤❤❤🙏🙏🇬🇭
@ericthathaisen1081
My lost best friends' favourite song.Followed by Mlilizeli