The Top South African Songs of All-Time - Starting Eleven
I asked my friends to name their top 5 songs ever, from South Africa. My South African alter-ego, Siyabonga Andile Mthimkhulu, also contributed, thanks to all he has learnt around Museke. I also asked Google Gemini (yes, not Meta AI, Chat GPT, Grok, Deepseek, or POE - because, I asked it through Google Sheets). You know it is my friend these days right? I also contributed my top 5, while reminiscing this list from 2009.
My first time in South Africa was in 2011. But prior to that, I had been hearing a lot of South African music (not like circa 2011 though) on Ghanaian TV. I did not meet that many South Africans at MIT. I got to know much more about South African music when me, Phelele Fakudze, and others started Museke in 2006. It was great to see some of my friends suggest songs that we were jamming to back in the day.
I wanted to do a list of top 5, but there are too many songs. So I have aggregated 11, to represent South Africa in the World Cup of #MusicWeDeyFeel. The starting eleven. Drop your opinions, props, suggestions in the comments section. Here we go, in no particular order, you can suggest who plays centre forward, sweeper, maestro, left wing back or goalkeeper in the comments.
Vulindlela - Brenda Fassie (1997)
Only one particular song could open the floor, get us underway, lay the foundation. It's this classic from MaBrrr - the queen of pop music, the Madonna of the Townships. Brenda Fassie transcends Soweto to Africa and beyond. The song is about making way for the groom (and bride) at their wedding. According to multiple sources, in 1997, South Africa was emerging from the racist apartheid system, and was celebrating its own “wedding” across the colour bar after democratic elections in 1994. Brenda Fassie has so many popular songs, including Black President about Nelson Mandela.
Different Colours, Different People (1993)
Lucky Dube is arguably the most popular reggae African musician who sang in English, while sending flowers to Alpha Blondy of Cote D'Ivoire. He is on a huge pedestal following Bob Marley and co. This song was popular for several reasons - political, diversity, the music video, the melodies, etc.
Umqombothi - Yvonne Chaka Chaka (1987)
I grew up on this song in Kumasi, Ghana. I was not of beer drinking age, and I was not trying to drink beer. African beer can booze you o, don't play! But I promise you, I was not butchering the lyrics like many others. This is an African classic, sang in different ways in different countries. Please, learn the lyrics. The song celebrates the joy of making and sharing African beer, symbolizing happiness and togetherness within the community. I first met Yvonne in Cape Town (alongside another songbird - Lira) at the World Economic Forum Meeting - Africa. Yvonne Chaka Chaka is an absolute legend who has done very well post her music career too. This Princess of Africa has such a great voice. I maintain that South Africa has the highest capita of best singers in the world.
I grew up on this song in Kumasi, Ghana. I was not of beer drinking age, and I was not trying to drink beer. African beer can booze you o, don't play! But I promise you, I was not butchering the lyrics like many others. This is an African classic, sang in different ways in different countries. Please, learn the lyrics. The song celebrates the joy of making and sharing African beer, symbolizing happiness and togetherness within the community. I first met Yvonne in Cape Town (alongside another songbird - Lira) at the World Economic Forum Meeting - Africa. Yvonne Chaka Chaka is an absolute legend who has done very well post her music career too. This Princess of Africa has such a great voice. I maintain that South Africa has the highest capita of best singers in the world.
Khona - Mafikizolo (2013)
There was a period when Nigerian music was ruling the continent, with good reason. And then from one corner, this Mzansi magical mix from this duo appeared on the scene. It was flat out the best African song of 2013. Every African city I visited was jamming to this Mafikizolo track. This song brings so many memories. Khona, Khona, Khona!
There was a period when Nigerian music was ruling the continent, with good reason. And then from one corner, this Mzansi magical mix from this duo appeared on the scene. It was flat out the best African song of 2013. Every African city I visited was jamming to this Mafikizolo track. This song brings so many memories. Khona, Khona, Khona!
Jerusalema - Master KG (2020)
Years before this song came out, there was a very popular and great South African movie of the same name. I blogged about it 3 different times. It was a heavy movie, which is the opposite of this track by Kgaogelo Moagi. This song makes me tear up, just thinking about far it has travelled, the amount of happiness it has brought to people everywhere, its dance craze and routine which brings people together and its standing globally. Some may say Covid-19 helped its popularity, like it is the fault of Nomcebo Zikode, Burna Boy and co. It burned through boyish boroughs and cemented itself as one of the most popular songs ever made. Its Zulu lyrics translate to "Jerusalem is my home, take me with you, guide me, don't leave me here."
Years before this song came out, there was a very popular and great South African movie of the same name. I blogged about it 3 different times. It was a heavy movie, which is the opposite of this track by Kgaogelo Moagi. This song makes me tear up, just thinking about far it has travelled, the amount of happiness it has brought to people everywhere, its dance craze and routine which brings people together and its standing globally. Some may say Covid-19 helped its popularity, like it is the fault of Nomcebo Zikode, Burna Boy and co. It burned through boyish boroughs and cemented itself as one of the most popular songs ever made. Its Zulu lyrics translate to "Jerusalem is my home, take me with you, guide me, don't leave me here."
Shibobo - TKZee (1998)
Thinking about this song makes me think about High I go by Kabelo. This is a huge plea. I need the mp3 for this song. At this point, I am willing to pay for it. If I knew I would suffer this much, I would have befriended Mr Mabalane more when I met him in Johannesburg. Okay, now, let's take the alphabet again. Shibobo is arguably the most popular South African kwaito ever. Tokollo Tshabalala, Kabelo Mabalane, and Zwai Bala featured Benni McCarthy on the song, which became an anthem after South Africa's qualification for the FIFA World Cup in 1998. It is a celebration of the country's achievement and includes lyrics referencing McCarthy and his football skills.
Stimela - Hugh Masekela (1974)
This song is extremely popular but also very important. The 'Coal Train' song was composed while Hugh was in exile, an ode to South African mineworkers. The song talks about the migrant labor system in Mzansi, where miners were separated from their families working in Johannesburg under grueling conditions. Hustling. Exile. I have met Hugh Masekela a couple of times and saw him perform in Accra as well as San Francisco.
This song is extremely popular but also very important. The 'Coal Train' song was composed while Hugh was in exile, an ode to South African mineworkers. The song talks about the migrant labor system in Mzansi, where miners were separated from their families working in Johannesburg under grueling conditions. Hustling. Exile. I have met Hugh Masekela a couple of times and saw him perform in Accra as well as San Francisco.
Pata Pata - Miriam Makeba (1967)
Miriam Makeba is the queen of African music. She is popular for her cover of Fadhili Williams' Malaika. Her "Pata Pata" reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1967. Now, that is very significant and groundbreaking! You need to click to learn about this. It would help you learn how to click better. Gerrit? Then fuggedabadit. A Google Doodle was once made in her honour. This song has been covered by other musical mistresses like Angeliquie Kidjo, Coumba Gawlo, etc.
Weekend Special - Brenda Fassie (1983)
I think Brenda Fassie deserves 2 songs in this list, she is the pop queen after all. Weekend Special achieved commercial success, reaching #72 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The album "Weekend Special" also continues to sell well as a collector's item according to Wikipedia. If you tend to look forward to weekends a lot, especially for lovemaking purposes, here is a dedication for you. I do.
I think Brenda Fassie deserves 2 songs in this list, she is the pop queen after all. Weekend Special achieved commercial success, reaching #72 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart. The album "Weekend Special" also continues to sell well as a collector's item according to Wikipedia. If you tend to look forward to weekends a lot, especially for lovemaking purposes, here is a dedication for you. I do.
Homeless - Ladysmith Black Mambazo (1986)
Yes, one of the the award winning Grammy group from South Africa. They actually have 5 Grammys. You read that right. I saw them perform once in Stanford. This is a testament to their popularity globally.
Yes, one of the the award winning Grammy group from South Africa. They actually have 5 Grammys. You read that right. I saw them perform once in Stanford. This is a testament to their popularity globally.
Water - Tyla (2024)
Don't act surprised. When I first saw Tyla's music video for Getting Late, I also thought she was American. It seems I didn't know as much about Amapiano then. I am really sad this song didn't become the #1 song in America on the Billboard Hot 100 peaking at 7. The queen of Popiano herself. Watch out for Tyla Laura Seethal, she has only started. She has pushed to start. It's gonna be bliss.
Many thanks to friends like who contributed to this - Tumi Diseko, Tsholo Wechoemang, Thembela Vokwana, Kojo Baffoe, Michelle Amanda Mvinjelwa, Thulani Fakude, Mbali Petunia Mphande, and Nzinga Quinta. Have more #MusicWeDeyFeel to contribute? Drop a comment.
Comments