Senzeni na: the Anti-colonisation Song that Inspired Africans and its Role in Decolonising Social Work Today

Senzeni na (2005) song by Soul Brothers, South Africa.

Senzeni na (1993) song with video by Albert Nyathi, Zimbabwe.

Senzeni na is a protest, struggle, freedom and independence song that was communally composed in South Africa. First composed in Zulu, it has been translated to several African languages including Xhosa and Shona. This great song speaks of justice and Africanism. It has no individual composer although different singers have recorded it since the 80s. It was composed at a time when African literature was banned in South Africa, and it was a crime to have a written record of such a song. People then expressed their political grievances orally. The song is sung during commemorations of Africa day, commemorations of independence or heroes or at funerals in the community. Today, this songs contains meanings about colonisation, anti-colonisation and decolonisation.

You can cite the song as:

Senzeni na (1950). Freedom song. Public song

You can cite this document as follows:

The lyrics of the song and the English translation are provided below followed by questions that could be used for social work teaching and learning.

IsiXhosa/IsiZulu original

Senzeni na?

Sono sethu, ubumnyama?

Sono sethu yinyaniso?

Sibulawayo

Mayibuye I Africa

Senzeni na senzeni na

Senzeni na senzeni na

Senzeni na senzeni na

Senzeni na kulomhlaba?

Amabhunu azizinja

Amabhunu azizinja

Amabhunu azizinja

Amabhunu azizinja

Kuyisono ‘kubamnyama

Kuyisono ‘kubamnyama

Kuyisono ‘kubamnyama

Kuyisono kulelizwe

Shona version

Tatadzei ko?
Chitadzo here kuti tiri vatema here?

Chitadzo chedu ndicho chokwadi

Vari kutiuraya

Africa ngaidzoke (kubva kuva pambepfumi)

Tatadzei ko?

Tatadzei ko?

Tatadzei ko?

Tatadzei, tatadzeiko?

Mabhunu imbwa

Mabhunu imbwa

Mabhunu imbwa

Mabhunu imbwa

Chitadzo kuva vatema

Chitadzo kuva vatema

Chitadzo kuva vatema

Chitadzo pasi pano

(Some words for the Shona version from Albert Nyathi, a cultural icon, poet and singer)

English meaning

Acknowledgements for translations: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senzeni_Na%3F

What have we done?

Our sin is that we are black?

Our sin is the truth

They are killing us

Let Africa return (from colonisers)

What have we done, what have we done?

What have we done, what have we done?

What have we done, what have we done?

What have we done in this country/world?

Boers are dogs

Boers are dogs

Boers are dogs

Boers are dogs

It’s a sin to be black

It’s a sin to be black

It’s a sin to be black

It’s a sin in this country/world

Questions for social work teaching and learning (assessments, essays, research, reflection etc)

1. What message does Senzeni na contain about colonisation, anti-colonisation and decolonisation?
2. Discuss the significance of African oral literature in social work knowledge.
3. A person without Ubuntu is often compared to an animal or is seen as such, why did the colonisers reach this level in terms of Africa’s measure of personhood?
4. Listen to the song Senzeni na by Albert Nyathi or The Soul Brothers and discuss five grievances they mention that apply to present day Africa? Note: Albert Nyathi’s song referred to the killing of Chris Hani, leader of the South African Communist Party and chief of staff of uMkhonto we Sizwe who was shot by a white man Janusz Waluś in 1993. uMkhonto we Sizwe was the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC).