While in her last year at school, Claire Johnston joined Mango Groove (founded in 1984 by John Leyden, who teamed up with Andy Craggs and ‘Big Voice Jack’ Lerole’). She quickly established herself as the face and voice of Mango Groove.
For the next two decades, they had an enormous impact on the South African music scene. At the time, popular multiracial music groups were not common in South Africa and Mango Groove was seen as a symbol of unity in a country struggling to shake itself free of apartheid.
Their unique blend of marabi, kwela and pop music, together with the voice and presence of Claire Johnston and the penny whistle of Mduduzi Magwaza, made them very popular.
Some of the highlights of Mango Groove’s career include:
* The direct satellite link-up to the The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in London in 1992 to an estimated audience of a billion people.
* Their performance in front of 200,000 people at a "Rock Against Racism" concert in Paris
* Their performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival where they received 3 encores.
Together As One
Mango Groove Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
South Africa
Siphakamise
Suid Afrika
The same sun shines down on us
Wherever we are
Together we'll be as one
Everybody up
Everybody sing
Together we are strong
Together we will win
Kanye kanye, up
Kanye kanye, sing
Together we are one
Kanye's everything
More than a feeling
More than a moment
Growing stronger
Day by day
It lifts us up
Takes us higher (Khula Afrika)
We'll be together (Sihlangane)
Come what may
The same sun shines down on us
Wherever we are
Together we'll be as one
Shine South Africa
Everybody up
Everybody sing
Together we are strong
Together we will win
Kanye kanye, up
Kanye kanye, sing
Together we are one
Kanye's everything
Hitasusa
Mehlovo
Ya tikoleri
Hi entle hungwe
Ons goue son
Ons bloue hemel
Die rykste aarde
Die diepste see
'Cause there is victory in our hearts
This is the future
Our Springbok dream
So many Bokke
Sal ons sing kanye kanye
We'll go for broke
Our blood is green
The same sun shines down on us
Wherever we are
Together we'll be as one
Shine South Africa
Everybody up
Everybody up
(Bokke, Bokke) Woza moya
South Africa
(Bokke, Bokke) Siphakamise
Suid-Afrika
Bokke, Bokke, up
Bokke, Bokke, sing
Bokke, we are one
Bokke, we will win
Bokke, Bokke, up
Bokke, Bokke, sing
Bokke, we are one
Bokke, we will win
Bokke, Bokke, up
Bokke, Bokke, sing
Bokke, we are one
Bokke, we will win
Bokke, Bokke, up
Bokke, Bokke, sing
Bokke, we are one
Bokke, we will win
Mango Groove's song "Together as One" is an ode to the unity and resilience of South Africa. The chorus proclaims that "the same sun shines down on us wherever we are" and encourages everyone to come together as one to overcome obstacles and achieve victory. The song celebrates the diversity of the South African people, with lyrics in both English and various African languages including Xhosa, Zulu, and Venda.
The song references the Springboks, South Africa's national rugby team, and their journey to win the Rugby World Cup in 1995. The victory is seen as a symbol of hope and unity for the nation, which was still grappling with the effects of apartheid. "Together as One" encapsulates this spirit of optimism and perseverance, with lines like "More than a feeling, more than a moment, growing stronger day by day."
The song has become an anthem for South Africans of all backgrounds, and it continues to inspire people around the world who are fighting for justice and equality. Its message of unity and hope is as relevant today as it was when it was first released in 1989.
Line by Line Meaning
Woza moya
Come spirit (or wind)
South Africa
The nation of South Africa
Siphakamise
Let us lift up (or raise)
Suid Afrika
South Africa (in Afrikaans)
The same sun shines down on us
We are all under the same sun and sky, no matter where we are
Wherever we are
No matter the location
Together we'll be as one
When we come together, we become unified
Shine South Africa
Let South Africa be illuminated (or shine bright)
Everybody up
Everyone stand up
Everybody sing
Everyone join in song
Together we are strong
When we are united, we become powerful
Together we will win
By working as a team, we will achieve victory
Kanye kanye, up
Together, up (or stand up)
Kanye kanye, sing
Together, sing out loud
Together we are one
When we come together, we become united
Kanye's everything
Being together is everything
More than a feeling
It is not just a feeling
More than a moment
It is not just a temporary experience
Growing stronger
Becoming more powerful
Day by day
Over time
It lifts us up
It elevates us (or makes us feel uplifted)
Takes us higher (Khula Afrika)
Brings us to a higher level of being (Khula Afrika can mean Grow Africa)
We'll be together (Sihlangane)
We will join together (or become unified)
Come what may
No matter what happens
Hitasusa
We rise up (or stand up)
Mehlovo
Our eyes (or our vision)
Ya tikoleri
Lead us (or guide us)
Hi entle hungwe
Towards one beautiful (or perfect) destination
Ons goue son
Our golden sun (in Afrikaans)
Ons bloue hemel
Our blue sky (in Afrikaans)
Die rykste aarde
The richest land (in Afrikaans)
Die diepste see
The deepest sea (in Afrikaans)
'Cause there is victory in our hearts
Because we have the desire to win
This is the future
This is what lies ahead
Our Springbok dream
Our dream (or hope) for the Springbok team (South Africa's national rugby team)
So many Bokke
A lot of Springbok players (or supporters)
Sal ons sing kanye kanye
We will sing 'together, up'
We'll go for broke
We will put everything on the line
Our blood is green
Our passion (or loyalty) is for South Africa (which is associated with the color green)
(Bokke, Bokke) Woza moya
(Springboks, Springboks) Come spirit (or wind)
Bokke, Bokke, up
Springboks, Springboks, up (or stand up)
Bokke, Bokke, sing
Springboks, Springboks, sing out loud
Bokke, we are one
We (Springboks and supporters) are united
Bokke, we will win
We (Springboks and supporters) will achieve victory
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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