Miriam Makeba: Khawuleza

Khawuleza by the legendary Miriam Makeba, known widely as Mama Africa

Opening: Khawuleza! Khawuleza is a South African song. It comes from the townships, locations, reservations, whichever, near the cities of South Africa, where all the Black South Africans live. The children shout from the streets as they see police cars coming to raid their homes for one thing or another. They say “Khawuleza Mama!” Which simply means, “Hurry Mama! Please, please don’t let them get you!”

Lyrics:

Khawuleza mama
Khawuleza mama
Khawuleza mama

Nank’ amapolis’ azongen’endlini mama, khawuleza
Nank’ amapolis’ azongen’endlini mama, khawuleza
Jonga jonga jonga yo khawuleza mama, iyeyiye mama, khawuleza
Jonga jonga jonga yo khawuleza mama, iyeyiye mama, khawuleza
x2
Bathi jonga jonga jonga yo khawuleza mama
khawuleza mama khawuleza
jonga jonga jonga yo khawuleza mama
khawuleza mama khawuleza