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
Tonti
Vusi Mahlasela Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
E tla re yo itebatsa tsa bosuana
Re ye khwiting ya noka lehlakeneng
Re yo theetsa bo mmakwele balla
Balla lehlakaneng
Bare areyeng mapatlelong
Balla lehlakaneng
Bare areyeng kua matalelong
E tla reye khweleng ya maoto
Re yo bogela bothakga bja sebjana sa lefatshe sa 2010
Golla divuvuzela
Dilla mapathelong
Golla divuvuzela
Dilla mapathelong
Otla kwa bare show me your number
Baittiya shibobo ka mo
Sithende ka mo
Baittiya shibobo ka mo
Tsamaya
Mmuso setijhaba sa Afrika borwa
Phafogang nako e fihile
Lokisang madulo le mabala
Lokisang ditsela le dinamelwa
Tonti ashi 2010
Beang shiba le dikgoba tsa mesomo
Re tlelo go jam pa mpolaye
Re tle rero tilala mphekole
Moeng e tla ka gesso re tle re je ka wena
Re tle rere tilala mphekole
Moeng e tla ka gesso re tle re je ka wena
Tibidi wa ka lebone mo
The lyrics of Vusi Mahlasela’s song “Tonti” are sung in a combination of Northern Sotho and Setswana and describe a call to action for the people of South Africa to unite and celebrate the country’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The title of the song itself is derived from Ntonti, a nickname given to South African soccer fans due to their tendency to honk their vuvuzelas (a loud plastic horn) during soccer matches. The tone of the song is joyful and celebratory and encourages the people to come together and participate in the festivities.
The lyrics mention various locations such as Khwiting ya noka lehlakeneng and Matalelong, which are small towns in South Africa where people come from to celebrate with each other. The song lyrics also include a reference to the vuvuzela, which became synonymous with the World Cup in South Africa, and is often played by fans to show their support for their team. The lyrics also mention the phrase “Mmuso setijhaba sa Afrika borwa,” which translates to “The government of the people of South Africa,” and is a call to the people to work together and create a better future for themselves and their country.
Overall, the song “Tonti” is a powerful celebration of South African culture and its people’s love of soccer. Vusi Mahlasela’s lyrics capture the energy and excitement of the World Cup and inspire listeners to come together and celebrate.
Line by Line Meaning
Ntonti ngwana tate
Hey there little one, my child
E tla re yo itebatsa tsa bosuana
I will tell you about the traditions of the Batswana
Re ye khwiting ya noka lehlakeneng
We are by the river in Lehlakeneng
Re yo theetsa bo mmakwele balla
We are grooming our goats for the ball game
Balla lehlakaneng
Ball game in Lehlakeneng
Bare areyeng mapatlelong
They say let's go to Mapatlelong
Balla lehlakaneng
Ball game in Lehlakeneng
Bare areyeng kua matalelong
They say let's go to Matalelong
E tla reye khweleng ya maoto
I will take you to the car dealership
Re yo bogela bothakga bja sebjana sa lefatshe sa 2010
We are celebrating the World Cup in 2010
Golla divuvuzela
Blow the vuvuzela
Dilla mapathelong
Dance in Mapathelong
Golla divuvuzela
Blow the vuvuzela
Dilla mapathelong
Dance in Mapathelong
Otla kwa bare show me your number
Someone will come and say show me your number
Baittiya shibobo ka mo
Do the bicycle kick here
Sithende ka mo
Do the header here
Baittiya shibobo ka mo
Do the bicycle kick here
Tsamaya
Go
Mmuso setijhaba sa Afrika borwa
Government of the people of South Africa
Phafogang nako e fihile
Embrace the time that has come
Lokisang madulo le mabala
Preserve culture and traditions
Lokisang ditsela le dinamelwa
Preserve paths and identities
Tonti ashi 2010
Tonti is not in 2010
Beang shiba le dikgoba tsa mesomo
They were sharing knowledge and wisdom
Re tlelo go jam pa mpolaye
We will go and have a feast at the river
Re tle rero tilala mphekole
We will stay up late and play music
Moeng e tla ka gesso re tle re je ka wena
When the morning comes, we will eat with you
Re tle rere tilala mphekole
We will stay up late and play music
Moeng e tla ka gesso re tle re je ka wena
When the morning comes, we will eat with you
Tibidi wa ka lebone mo
My little bird, come and see
Contributed by Olivia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vusile Mathebula
on Yithi Masotsha
Rich with African philosophy