Tshotsholoza
Although the original author of the song is Masingita Ngoveni, “Tshotsholoza” is a traditional miner’s song, originally sung by groups of men from the Ndebele ethnic group that travelled by steam train from their homes in Zimbabwe (formerly known as Rhodesia) to work in South Africa’s diamond and gold mines.
Lyrics
Tshotsholozas
Tshotsholoz kulezon taba stimela si phu me South Africa
Tshotsholoza
Tshotsholoz kulezon taba stimela sip hu me South Africa
He kulezon taba
Wenu va be leka kulezontaba Stimela sip hu me South Africa
He kulezon taba
Tshotsholoza
Tshotsholoza kulezon taba stimela sip hu me South Africa
Stimela stimela
A’weba a’weba a’weba a’weba
Stimela stimela
A’weba a’weba a’weba a’weba
Stimela stimela
A’weba a’weba a’weba a’weba
Tshotsholoza
Tshotsholoz kulezon taba stimela si phu me South Africa
Tshotsholoza
Tshotsholoz kulezon taba stimela si phu me South Africa
Meaning of the lyrics
A rough translation of the repeated phrases:
Tshotsholoza – Moving fast and strong
Kulezo Ntaba – Through those mountains
Stimela Siphume – South Africa – Train from South Africa.
Wen’ Uyabaleka – You are leaving
Here is a performance of Tshotsholoza for you to practise with. Each section is repeated;
And this is a good version, but without visuals;
Here’s a version of the song by our choir a few years ago.
And another version by the Johannesberg Jewish Male Choir without the visuals.
