South African Singer Vusi Mahlasela, born 1965 in Pretoria, is known as "t… Read Full Bio ↴South African Singer Vusi Mahlasela, born 1965 in Pretoria, is known as "the Voice" and hails from the township of Mamelodi. He has been featured in the South African music documentary "Amandla!" and has lent his vocal skills to the soundtrack of the Academy Award winning South African Film "Tsotsi".
many in the anti-apartheid movement. His themes include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies. Vusi can also be heard performing on Warren Haynes' [Gov't Mule, The Allman Brothers Band] Live at Bonnaroo release during the song "Soulshine", and the Dave Matthews Band song, "Everyday", from the album of the same name as well as a live version of the song with him which appears on the album The Best of What's Around Vol. 1. Vusi was also one of the performers at the Live 8 concerts.

Vusi played a very mellow pre-lunch solo set to an appreciative audience (those capable of functioning at that hour) at the 2004 Falls Festival that was concluded with a superb performance of 'Red Song' in The Big Top, before joining Xavier Rudd on the main Valley Stage to a raptuous reception.

His album The Voice includes the popular track "Weeping", recorded with Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Vusi joined Mambazo for their October-November UK tour in 2004, and will join them again for their 2007 UK tour, again from October to November 2007 [1].

He and other South African musicians took part in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony where they recalled the days of Apartheid.

In June 2007, Mahlasela spoke of apartheid and performed "Thula Mama" at the TED Conference.

On 7 July 2007 Mahlasela performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.

His most recent album, Guiding Star, as Naledi Ya Tsela (the name under which it is released in South Africa) won him the 2007 SAMA for Best Male Artist.

Discography
When You Come Back 1992
Wisdom of Forgiveness 1994
Silang Mabele 1997
Live at the Bassline 1999
Miyela Afrika 2000
Jungle of Questions (with the Proud Peoples Band) 2000
Soundtrack: Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony 2002
Compilations: The Voice (Vusi Mahlasela album) 2003
Soundtrack: Tsotsi 2005
Naledi Ya Tsela (Guiding Star) 2007

Basimanyana
Vusi Mahlasela Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Basimanyana
Basimanyana
Basimanyana ba llela boroko
Basimanyana
Basimanyana
Basimanyana ba llela boroko

Ba re bolaisa go disa

Rena re thusa le ke bo mmago dikepe ep
Iya iye ya ya ho ep
Iya iye ya ya ho
Sebaka sena se a tshosa
Se thotse si a makatsa
Ha ke sheba dithaba
Di kwahetswe ke mohodi ka hohle

Tlong tlong badisa
Tlong re be mmoho
Bokellang makhomo

Basimanyana
Basimanyana
Basimanyana ba llela boroko
Basimanyana
Basimanyana
Basimanyana ba llela boroko

Lalala lala
Yilalile lalala
Yilalile lalala
Yilalile lalala
Lela le
Lalala lala
Yilalile lalala
Yilalile lalala
Yilalilelalala
Lela le la la

Tlo ng tlong badisa
Tlong le be mmoho
Bokellang makhomo
Tlong tlong badisa
Tlong le be mmoho
Bokellang makhomo

Kare Thabonyana tsosa Thabo
Ha la tlela go mamela ga ntatemoholo a nne are le seke la tlisa dikhomo tulong yena

Basimanyana
Basimanyana
Basimanyana ba llela boroko
Basimanyana
Basimanyana
Basimanyana ba llela boroko

Lalala lala
Yilalile lalala
Yilalile lalala
Yilalile lalala
Lela la
Lalala lala
Yilalile lalala
Yilalile lalala

Yilalile lalala
Lala la la la

Overall Meaning

The song "Basimanyana" by Vusi Mahlasela is a powerful call to action that urges young people to unite and work together towards a better future. The song opens with the repeated phrase "Basimanyana" which means "young ones" in Sesotho, and sets the tone for the song's message of empowerment and solidarity.

The first verse describes the struggles that young people face, and the need for community support to overcome them. The lines "Ba re bolaisa go disa / Rena re thusa le ke bo mmago dikepe ep" refer to the importance of elders passing on wisdom and helping young people navigate difficult situations. The phrase "Iya iye ya ya ho ep" is a call to action, urging young people to take control of their lives and work towards a better future.

The second verse continues this theme of empowerment, with the lines "Tlong tlong badisa / Tlong re be mmoho / Bokellang makhomo" urging young people to be strong and persevere in the face of challenges.

Overall, "Basimanyana" is a rallying cry for the youth to come together and create a better future for themselves and their communities.

Line by Line Meaning

Basimanyana
Young ones

Basimanyana ba llela boroko
Young ones are bringing joy

Basimanyana
Young ones

Basimanyana ba llela boroko
Young ones are bringing joy

Ba re bolaisa go disa
They say we should take care of our own

Rena re thusa le ke bo mmago dikepe ep
We help one another as brothers and sisters

Iya iye ya ya ho ep
Let us go together

Iya iye ya ya ho
Let us go together

Sebaka sena se a tshosa
A problem that needs solving

Se thotse si a makatsa
We must stick together and overcome it