Sitting in the soccer stadiums of the World Cup when South Africa was playing, I was fascinated by the seeming spontaneity of the crowd singing an African hymn that was at once beautiful and spine chilling. It was about the only time the vuvuzelas fell silent, and it was an emotional experience to see tens of thousands South Africans -- black and white -- singing in unison and waving their vuvus to the rhythm of the chant-like beat. I was so moved by the haunting number that I asked the South African woman sitting next to me what it was called. She said "It's called Shosholoza, and we sing it at major sporting events like this." Subsequently, I learned that it means "go forward" and is a signature piece in Clint Eastwood's Invictus, by the a capella group, Overtone. You can listen to it here-->
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2ivbm_ykTRE&feature=related
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2 comments:
Professor Hamakowa,
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It did sound like a very special moment and says a lot about the South African people.The fact that it means to "go forward",feels very important.Then once i listened to the music,i know why you were so touched by this.
I am very glad I took another look into your site and saw this posting. i think i will have to look into seeing the movie. it looks very inspiring.
Again,thank you for sharing this moment.
Kathleen St.Ours (Tim Conrod's mom)
South Africa can be proud of hosting the World Cup. National pride seems to be back after a checkered past. This song captures the passion and spirit natives have for their country. Thanks for sharing.
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