Woza Durban July

by Irene Mawela

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Heralding the 122nd annual Durban July Handicap horserace, this is the brand new afropop-mbaqanga single from South Africa's legendary IRENE MAWELA

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£1 GBP or more

about

In 1957, a 17-year old Soweto-born singer tentatively made her debut 78rpm record at EMI Studios, Johannesburg. The lead single was a simple tune dedicated to the annual JULY HANDICAP thoroughbred horserace, held in Durban every 1st Saturday of July since 1897.

Now, on the eve of the 122nd annual July Handicap, the iconic IRENE MAWELA has revisited the song that laid the foundations for her six-decade long career. With a recent Honorary Doctorate of Music bestowed upon her by the UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA, this star continues to give the world the very best of her supreme musical genius as she approaches her eighties.

lyrics

Woza sambe dali wami (Hurry up and come along, my darling) x 2
Woza sambe s'thandwa sami (Hurry up and come along, my love)
SiyeThekwini (We're heading to Durban)
Oh ma ibebeza (The crowds are building)

Hayi iphela 'viki (Come soon, weekend!) x2
Hayi iphela 'viki siyeThekwini (Come soon, weekend, so that we can head to Durban)
[for the] Durban July/July Handicap

credits

released July 3, 2019
Irene Mawela - lead and backing vocals
Vhukhudo Sigonde and Nick Lotay - backing vocals
Nick Lotay - guitars, bass, drums and percussion
Oyama Songo - piano
Recorded in November 2018 and March 2019 by Oyama Songo at Downtown Studios, Johannesburg and Emmanuel Mamphogoro at Winman Studio, Thohoyandou
Mixed and mastered in the United Kingdom

Producer: Nick Lotay
Executive Producer: Irene Mawela
Cover photo: Mutendi Photography
Published by Umsakazo Records

An Umsakazo Production

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about

Umsakazo Records UK

Welcoming back the joyous sound of South Africa's townships. UK-based record label celebrating the heritage of vintage African jive through reissues, new beats and compilations of out-of-print music