Angel Jake at the RBC (Rainbow Broadcasting Corporation)

Angel Jake at the RBC (Rainbow Broadcasting Corporation)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The Barkalot Bafana Bafana First Go to Graceland for South Africa's Bafana Bafana! And Then They Listen to the Country's Moving National Anthem!

When our mom thinks about South Africa, she remembers a sad but beautiful book by Alan Payton called "Cry the Beloved Country" which was later made into a musical "Lost in the Stars."

She thinks about amazing musical artists: Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, the Ladysmith Black Mombazo, the Soweto Gospel Choir.

And she thinks about one of her all-time favorite American artists-- Paul Simon -- and his awesome 1987 Graceland concert that, upon reflection, was what Unity in Diversity is all about. This is him singing Under African Skies with Miriam Makeba.



And then she thinks about the first time she heard South Africa's moving national anthem. She has since learned that the anthem's lyrics include five of the country's eleven official languages - isiXhosa (first stanza, first two lines), isiZulu (first stanza, last two lines), seSotho (second stanza), Afrikaans (third stanza) and English (final stanza). Truly Unity in Diversity!


Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika. Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,Yizwa imithandazo yethu,Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo. (Xhosa and Zulu)
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho,O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika. (Sesotho)
Uit die blou van onse hemel,Uit die diepte van ons see,Oor ons ewige gebergtes,Waar die kranse antwoord gee, (Afrikaans)
Sounds the call to come together,And united we shall stand,Let us live and strive for freedom,In South Africa our land. (English)

English translation of Xhosa and Zulu version
Lord bless Africa
May her glory be lifted high
Hear our petitions
Lord bless us, your children

English translation of Sesotho version
Lord we ask You to protect our nation
Intervene and end all conflicts
Protect us, protect our nation
Protect South Africa, South Africa

English translation of Afrikaans version
Out of the blue of our heavens
Out of the depths of our seas
Over our everlasting mountains
Where the echoing crags resound



This World Cup in South Africa is an inspiring stop on the road to Grace Land!!!

Go Bafana Bafana!!!

15 comments:

TwoSpecialWires said...

You teach us so much. And you keep Moma in line. At least for the moment. Not only is she desperately trying to catch us up, but she's trying her doggonedest to KEEP caught up!

We'll hum as we read. With pride and a true appreciation of diversity.

Love ya
Jake and Fergi (moving in slight slow motion secondary to this heat)

Maxmom said...

Dear Boyz (and mum)
I am so tearful reading your post...it is an incredible compliment for me to see my country through the eyes of another. You have done my nation proud. I am proud to be your friend too. Thank you for the beautiful music..the rhythm of Africa resounds through this beautiful post.
Thank you again.
With love
MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

Gus said...

MaxMom has said it all...just wanted to say we liked it too.

gussie

Scout and Freyja said...

I think one of the most important things I have learned since finding Maxdog and Maxmom it's that there is so much more to South Africa than I ever imagined. I owe a debt of gratitude to both of them - an to you for sharing this lovely post.

Cloud the Wonder Dog said...

What a wonderful post! We agree wiff all the above comments!!! :-)

Luv,
Cloud

Eric said...

Boyz. Mom has made me very behind in my reading plus of course I've been like a yoyo in and out of the naughty corner. Missed wagging by and reading your interesting posts from Vancouver with all the arty stuffie (mom specially enjoyed them) and I was yapping along with that nice man with the two first names on your interesting post today, give it two paws up.

Wiry love n kisses Eric xxx

Molly the Airedale said...

What a wonderful post and South Africa's national anthem is just beautiful!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Sue said...

You've written a lovely post. I'm learning so much from this event. Thank you for bringing this to us.

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Well pawed woo two!

Please thank DogMom fur sharing this with us!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Please tell DogMom it was Harrisburg!

Asta said...

Dawling Bafana Bafana

Thank you fow that bootiful post. Mommi got mowe teawy than evew (I think the vicodin she's taking helps, hehehe)
that anthem and the song by Paul Simon and Miwiam Makeba wewe soo moving and gowgeous.
you taught us so much
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Daniella said...

Thanks for honoring Max Mom and my country. Lovely stuff and I'm glad all your connotations are positive. For me they are also mixed in with some of the bad past like Apartheid but I think the World Cup has brought to the fore how special our people are, what adversity the majority have overcome, the friendliness and how capable we all are as shown in pulling off this amazing event. I am very homesick but hang my big SA flag with much pride. 15 years ago we were too ashamed to admit we were from SA, we were the pariah of the world, deservedly so. Thanks to Nelson (Mandiba) Mandela, everything changed. Without him, who knows where SA would be today. May he live long!
Hope Bafana Bafana win today!!! Not sure we can win the cup, but I'd love to see it stay on African soil!!

Dani and Axel

Agatha and Archie said...

We are dancing as we write and PL2 says the songs bring back a lot of nice memories......We are catching up on a borrowed pooter.... MUAHHHHHHHHHHHH Love A+A

KEY WEST COLLIES said...

That is a pawsome story, we really enjoyed it.

Essex & Deacon

Moco said...

That is very good info and we thank you for it.

the booker man said...

i think this is a super wonderful post, jake and just harry! i liked listening to the south african anthem and reading the english translation. what a pretty song!
i have really liked learning more about south africa through mr. max and miss maxmom and now ya'll! :)
*woof*
the booker man