Words & Music:  Traditional South African
Makhosikazi arranged:  Miguel Heatwole

Often a big finisher at our gigs is the South African collection we call the Afrikan Medley. It starts with Thina Sizwe, a poignant demand for the land stolen from the black nation by the whites. Reflecting the admirable ability that people sometimes have of celebrating in the face of adversity the exuberant Afrika O Afrika urges her people to "dry your tears! Who's crying now?" - and we follow this with Makhosikazi a militant song from the women of South Africa for their sisters everywhere. The melody, carried by the sopranos, is traditional but the two counterpointed harmonies are by Miguel. The medley closes with a tribute to Nelson Mandela that we learned for his 1990 visit to Sydney. Rolihlahla is Mandela's first name and it means "the-one-who-stirs-up-the-dust."

Thina Sizwe
Thina Sizwe esintsundu
Sikalela
Sikalela izwe lethu
Elathathwa
Elathathwa ngabamhlope
Elathathwa
Elathathwa ngabamhlope
Mabayekhe
(Sithi) mabayek' umhlaba wethu
Mabayekhe
(Sithi) mabayek' umhlaba wethu
Abantwana
Abantwana be Africa
Bakhalela
Bakhalela izwe labo
Elathathwa
Elathathwa ngabamhlope
Elathathwa
Elathathwa ngabamhlope
Mabayekhe
(Sithi) mabayek' umhlaba wethu
Mabayekhe
(Sithi) mabayek' umhlaba wethu
Thina Sizwe
Thina Sizwe esintsundu.

Afrika, O Afrika!
Ngubanina olilayo
Thula Mama
Ngubanina olilayo

Makhosikazi
Ngulo nyaka wethu
Wathint' abafazi
Wathinta imbokodo
Basopha uzakufa.
Side by side, women of the world
Side by side, fight for freedom
Side by side, women of the world
Fight for freedom now!

Rolihlahla!
Freedom is in your hands!
Show us the way to freedom
In this land of Africa!
Mandela! Mandela!
Mandela says 'Freedom Now!'
Now we say 'Away with slavery!'
In this land of Africa!