We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Wemfana, Wemfazi & The Township Jive!

from Remedy by Mankala

supported by
kevbird
kevbird thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £1 GBP  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 3 Mankala releases available on Bandcamp and save 25%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of International Feeling, Remedy, and Speak Your Mind. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      £15.75 GBP or more (25% OFF)

     

about

Mainly written in English, but also in Zulu and Lozi, the song talks about following dreams and seizing the day. In particular, it tells the story of a young boy in Soweto who dreams with having a camera to make movies and how his fortune changed one day after meeting a wealthy woman. This recording features backing vocals from South African choir "Amaqhawe" who we met whiles they were on their UK tour with Project Zulu. We feel blessed for this musical collaboration.

lyrics

Egoli lela kwandonga setuna…
Ilanga le, lizazi le…

He was a lonely boy in the heart of Soweto,
taking all his chances just to fight in the ghetto
His dream was to make it in the movie shows
But he wouldn’t work for anyone who’d let him so...

Ilanga le, wemfazi, lizazi le, wemfana, ilanga le wemadoda

He would work for his mother in the laundry,
And he worked for his father in the fields,
He climbed for his neighbor on the roof above
And he slaved in the shelter serving meals
He used to sing on the corner with an old guitar
One day he set it right down to push a broken-down car
From out of the car stepped the old chief's' wife, she said...
“Thank-you my son you really saved my life!”
Township Jive township jive…

He pushed the car right to the front of her home
And told her of his love for the movie shows
This lady she was wealthy way beyond her means...
But she yearned for the feeling of a chasing dream

Ilanga le, wemfazi, lizazi le, wemfana, ilanga le wemadoda

Two weeks later a box arrived
With the finest movie camera ever seen inside
He jumped for joy and then he sang with pride
I go to tell the world of the Township Jive

Township Jive! Amatiyoyo tina, Township Jive!...

credits

from Remedy, released October 26, 2013
Wemfana, Wemfazi & The Township Jive - written by S.Zeko / Ndlovu / M.Leaver / C. de Juan / Amaqhawe Choir (Who are: Mandla Mahlala, Thobile Mahlaba, Bhekani Shabangu, Thokozani Vilakazi & Monica Ngwenya)

Recording musicians:
Jim Blomfield: Keyboards
Lisa Cherian: Congas
Christian de Juan: Guitar, backing vocals, percussions
Justin Fellows: Drum Kit
Mark Leaver: Lead & backing vocals
Paul Marshall: Bass, baritone backing vocals
Nick Malcolm: Trumpet
Ben Plocki: Baritone Sax
Sam Ross: Keyboards
Liam Treasure: Trombone
Simwinji Zeko: Guitar, backing vocals
Amaqhawe Choir: Backing vocals (Mandla Mahlala, Thobile Mahlaba, Bhekani Shabangu, Thokozani Vilakazi & Monica Ngwenya)

Recorded & mixed by Christian de Juan
A Global Wave Of Sound & Mankala Band production

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Mankala image

Mankala Bristol, UK

Formed by a multi-national collective with a common love for African music, Mankala’s sound is greatly influenced by a variety of styles, from the joyous sounds of Soukous and Township to the hypnotic grooves of Afro-Beat and the Desert Blues, forging ‘original high energy African fusion Music’ with a distinctive style and a positive message. ... more

contact / help

Contact Mankala

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

Mankala recommends:

If you like Mankala, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Fabiana Palladino stops by to talk about her mesmeric debut LP.
listen now