Table of Contents
Revisiting the classics of Xitsonga music. 🙎🏿
Song title
- Vanhuvaka Hina.
Song artist
- Thomas Chauke na Shinyori Sisters.
Song album
- Shimatsatsa no.1: Shimatstatsa Shamina (1981).
Title meaning
- My people.
“Ha, mi vula ku swa nyora?
Na n’wina vanhu va ka hina a hi vutswaka
I nge ni mi bela nghoma, ni mi suma
mi ta swi tshika…”
Explaining “Vanhuvaka hina”
“Vanhu va ka hina” is Dr. Thomas Chauke’s bold response to the prejudice he faced from his own people when he entered the South African Xitsonga music scene. At the time, some South African Vatsonga derogatorily referred to him as xizambikwani — a slur implying he was a second-class human from Mozambique. He opens the song in his home dialect of Xihlengwe (predominantly spoken in Mozambique), before transitioning into Xiluleke, the local dialect of his home in Xikundu Village, Malamulele.
In the track, Thomas Chauke proudly addresses the locals as his people (vanhu va ka hina) and challenges their bias, calling on them to repent. His commanding chant — Haa! — echoes through the song as a rallying cry.
Dr. Chauke confronts rejection with excellence, asserting that despite being shunned, he is producing the best Xitsonga music they’ve ever heard. He ultimately succeeded in winning over the hearts of the South African Vatsonga and went on to become the highest-selling and most decorated Xitsonga musician, with one of the longest-running careers in the nation’s history.
“Keep exploring, keep learning, and let the language guide you.“
Ahee! 🤗