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.

Thuto Kelefa
Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Theogedi theogedi theogela sekolong
Theogedi theogedi theogela sekolong
Theogedi theogedi theogela sekolong

Thuto thuto ke lesedi la gago
Thuto ke tsela ya gago
Thuto thuto ke lesedi la gago
Thuto ke lefa ya gago

Theogedi theogedi theogela sekolong (Phela ka thuto)
Theogedi theogedi theogela sekolong (Phela ka thuto)
Theogedi theogedi theogela sekolong (Phela ka thuto)

Matsatsi a kajeno ga o sa rutega
Ga o na bokamoso o tla ja tshila tsa thaka tsa gao
Matsatsi a kajeno ga o sa rutega
Ga o na bokamoso o tla ja tshila tsa thaka tsa gao

Batswadi ba leka ka hohle gore ba le kenye dikolong
Empa lona le bapala ka thuto
Batswadi ba leka ka hohle gore ba le kenye dikolong
Empa lona le bapala ka thuto

Ba bang ba lona ga ba tsebe le A
Ba bang ba lona ga ba tsebe le B
Ba bang ba lona ga ba tsebe le C
Ke mathata bana ba ka

Thuto thuto ke lesedi la gago (Phela ka thuto)
Thuto ke tsela ya gago (Phela ka thuto)
Thuto thuto ke lesedi la gago (Bona re lla ka thuto)
Thuto ke lefa ya gago

Mesebetsi ha e yo le chelete ha e yo
Ka hoo bana kgothalang le kene sekolo
Mesebetsi ha e yo le chelete ha e yo
Ka hoo bana kgothalang le kene sekolo

Ha ke tsebe hore ha o sa kene sekolo o tshepileng
Ha ke tsebe hore ha o sa kene sekolo o tshepileng
Ha ke tsebe hore ha o sa kene sekolo o tshepileng

Thuto thuto ke lesedi la gago (Phela ka thuto)
Thuto ke tsela ya gago (Phela ka thuto)
Thuto thuto ke lesedi la gago (Phela ka thuto)
Thuto ke lefa ya gago (Phela ka thuto)

(Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Iyo (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Ahaa (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Halala halala (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Halala (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Iyo (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Phela ka thuto (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Phela ka thuto (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Iyo halala (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Haa (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Re lla ka thuto (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Iyo halala (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Hahaha (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Iyo (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)

Phela ka thuto (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)
Halalaha (Kgothalang bana kgothalang le kene sekolo)

Overall Meaning

The Mahlathini and The Mahotella Queens' song titled "Thuto Kelefa" is sung in the Zulu language, which praises the importance of education. The song is sung primarily in call-and-response fashion in which the lead vocalist sings a phrase, and the backup singers repeat it with perfect harmony. The lyrics begin with "Theogedi, theogedi theogela sekolong," meaning "We must hurry and go to school." This line is repeated multiple times throughout the song, emphasizing the importance of not hesitating when it comes to school.

The phrase "Thuto thuto ke lesedi la gago, Thuto ke tsela ya gago, Thuto thuto ke lesedi la gago, Thuto ke lefa ya gago" means "Education, education is your light; Education is your path, education, education is your light; Education is your future." The lead vocalist encourages listeners to prioritize learning and education, as it is the key to a brighter future. The song ends on a positive note with "Halala, halala (clap clap), Phela ka thuto (because of education)," signifying the importance of education.

Line by Line Meaning

Theogedi theogedi theogela sekolong
People, sing and dance in the schoolyard

Thuto thuto ke lesedi la gago
Education is the light of your life

Thuto ke tsela ya gago
Education is your path

Thuto ke lefa ya gago
Education is your inheritance

Matsatsi a kajeno ga o sa rutega
Today's actions affect your future

Ga o na bokamoso o tla ja tshila tsa thaka tsa gao
Without education, you will be forced to work in the fields

Batswadi ba leka ka hohle gore ba le kenye dikolong
Parents hesitate to send their children to school

Empa lona le bapala ka thuto
But you have faith in education

Ba bang ba lona ga ba tsebe le A
Those who don't have education don't know A

Ba bang ba lona ga ba tsebe le B
Those who don't have education don't know B

Ba bang ba lona ga ba tsebe le C
Those who don't have education don't know C