With a style of music they call Mbaqanga, The Mahotella Queens (Nobesthutu … Read Full Bio ↴With a style of music they call Mbaqanga, The Mahotella Queens (Nobesthutu Mbada, Hilda Tloubatla and Mildred Mangxola) have become South Africa's most successful vocal group through their combination of traditional songs with high energy, funky, dance-oriented music.

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.

Town Hall
Mahotella Queens Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o si
Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o
Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o aw'zwe

Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o
Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o

Bayamemeza lababantu

(Bayamemeza lababantu)
Memeza lababantu
Bathi nasi isimanga ngalezintombi

Bayamemeza lababantu
(Bayamemeza lababantu)
Memeza lababantu
Bathi nasi isimanga ngalezintombi

Wentaba dilika Town Hall-o
Wentaba dilika Town Hall-o
Wentaba dilika Town Hall-o
Wentaba dilika Town Hall-o

Ngwe ngwe dilika Town Hall-o
(Wentaba dilika) Dilika Town Hall-o
Ngwe ngwe dilika Town Hall-o
(Wentaba dilika) Dilika Town Hall-o

(Dilika dilika) Dilika Town Hall-o
(Wentaba dilika) Dilika Town Hall-o
(Dilika dilika) Dilika Town Hall-o
(Wentaba dilika) Dilika Town Hall-o

Athi no

Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o
Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o

Overall Meaning

The song "Dilika Town Hall" by Mahotella Queens celebrates the joy of young girls going to the Town Hall in Dilika, a small township in South Africa. The repetitive chorus "Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o si/Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o/Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o aw'zwe" (Here come the girls going to Town Hall/Here come the girls going to Town Hall/Here come the girls going to Town Hall, listen) sets the scene for the excitement and anticipation of the occasion. The girls are singing and dancing with joy and drawing attention from the people in the township.

The second part of the song describes the reaction of the people in Dilika upon seeing the girls headed to the Town Hall. They are shouting and calling out to each other, exclaiming that the girls are as beautiful as a painting. The song ends with the affirmation "Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o/Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o" (Here come the girls going to Town Hall/Here come the girls going to Town Hall), reinforcing the joy and excitement of the girls and the community they live in.

Overall, "Dilika Town Hall" is a celebration of community and young girls' joy, highlighting the everyday moments that bring people together.

Line by Line Meaning

Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o si
Here come the girls who walk proudly towards Dilika Town Hall

Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o
Here come the girls who walk proudly towards Dilika Town Hall

Yizo lezintombi ezidiliza uTown Hall-o aw'zwe
Here come the girls who walk proudly towards Dilika Town Hall, listen up

Bayamemeza lababantu
The people are shouting

(Bayamemeza lababantu)
(The people are shouting)

Memeza lababantu
Shout, people

Bathi nasi isimanga ngalezintombi
They say there is a masterpiece in these girls

Wentaba dilika Town Hall-o
The road leads to Dilika Town Hall

Ngwe ngwe dilika Town Hall-o
Here it is, Dilika Town Hall

(Wentaba dilika) Dilika Town Hall-o
(The road leads to) Dilika Town Hall