The Mahotella Queens first came to prominence in the 1960s as backing singers for the 'Lion of Soweto' Mahlathini. As well as recording with Mahlathini, they released a number of albums in their own right. They were able to use their fame to become highly influential figures in the fight against apartheid.
The death of Mahlathini in 2000 lead to them recording the album Sebai Bai in his honour. This album brought them even greater international attention and the Womex award.
Now in their 60s, The Mahotella Queens still record and regularly tour with their compatriots Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
Nkosi Sikelela
Mahotella Queens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maluphakanyisw' Uphondo lwayo/Let Africa's Horn Be Raised
Yizwa Imithandazo Yethu/Listen Also To Our Prayers
Nkosi Sikelela Thina Lusapho Iwayo/Lord Bless Us We Are The Family Of Africa
Morena Boloka Setjhaba Sa Heso/Lord Bless Our Nation
O Fedise Dintwa Le Matshwenyeho/Stop Wars And Sufferings
Morena Boloka Setjhaba Sa Heso/Lord Bless Our Nation
O Fedise Dintwa Le Matshwenyeho/Stop Wars And Sufferings
Setjhaba Sa South Afrika South Afrika/The Nation Of South Africa South Africa
Uit Die Blou Van Onse Hemel/From The Blue Of Our Skies
Uit Die Diepte Van Ons See/From The Depth Of Our Sea
Oor Ons Ewige Gebergtes/Over Everlasting Mountains
Waar Die Kranse Antwoord Gee/Where The Echoing Crags Resound
Sounds The Call To Come Together
And United We Shall Stand
Let Us Live And Strive For Freedom
In South Africa Our Land!
The song "Nkosi Sikelela" was originally composed in 1897 by the South African Methodist school teacher Enoch Sontonga. It has become a popular hymn across Africa and is often considered to be the unofficial national anthem of South Africa. The Mahotella Queens' version of the song has a lively and upbeat rhythm, which reflects the celebratory nature of the lyrics.
The song begins with a call to God to bless Africa and to let Africa's horn be raised; this is a metaphor for calling on Africans to be proud of their identity and heritage. The lyrics then ask God to listen to the prayers of the people of Africa and to bless them. The chorus repeats the call for God's blessing on Africa, specifically on the family of Africa.
The next verses are more specific, calling on God to bless the nation of South Africa and to stop wars and suffering. The song then ends with a call for unity among the people of South Africa and a commitment to living and striving for freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Nkosi Sikelel' IAfrika/God Bless Africa
We pray to the Lord to bless Africa
Maluphakanyisw' Uphondo lwayo/Let Africa's Horn Be Raised
Let Africa be uplifted and made stronger
Yizwa Imithandazo Yethu/Listen Also To Our Prayers
Please listen to our prayers as well
Nkosi Sikelela Thina Lusapho Iwayo/Lord Bless Us We Are The Family Of Africa
Lord bless us, the people of Africa
Morena Boloka Setjhaba Sa Heso/Lord Bless Our Nation
Lord bless our nation
O Fedise Dintwa Le Matshwenyeho/Stop Wars And Sufferings
Put an end to wars and suffering
Morena Boloka Setjhaba Sa Heso/Lord Bless Our Nation
Lord bless our nation
O Fedise Dintwa Le Matshwenyeho/Stop Wars And Sufferings
Put an end to wars and suffering
O Se Boloke O Se Boloke Setjhaba Sa Heso/Save It Save Our Nation
Save our nation
Setjhaba Sa South Afrika South Afrika/The Nation Of South Africa South Africa
We are the nation of South Africa
Uit Die Blou Van Onse Hemel/From The Blue Of Our Skies
From the blue skies above
Uit Die Diepte Van Ons See/From The Depth Of Our Sea
From the depths of our sea
Oor Ons Ewige Gebergtes/Over Everlasting Mountains
Over our everlasting mountains
Waar Die Kranse Antwoord Gee/Where The Echoing Crags Resound
Where the echoing crags resound
Sounds The Call To Come Together
Let us come together
And United We Shall Stand
We will stand united
Let Us Live And Strive For Freedom
Let us live and work towards freedom
In South Africa Our Land!
This is our land, South Africa
Writer(s): The Mahotella Queens
Contributed by Addison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.