- Umshini wami
Umshini wami, also known as Awuleth' Umshini Wami (English, "Bring me my
machine "), is a popularZulu language "struggle song" used formerly by members of theUmkhonto we Sizwe militant branch of theAfrican National Congress during the apartheid era inSouth Africa 's history. Most recently, the song is identified with the persona ofJacob Zuma , a former MK member and Deputy President of the ANC who later became the President of the party, and is often sung at rallies which involve him and his supporters, including the current composition of the Youth League. Literally the isiZulu expression means 'Bring me my machine'. Either it be a gun, a political machine or something else is subjective and can change within the context and era at which the song is sung.Lyrics
Popularity and controversy
In October 2006, the song was made available as a
ringtone by Zuma's defence fund through its website. [ [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20061026063720938C445663 IOL - " JZ trust to cash in on Zuma ringtone"] ] A remix of the song was created by rapper See4 in which the song refers to a microphone rather than a machine gun [ [http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/view_video.php?viewkey=4a40b78132f1e71a9e6f See4 - "Umshini wami" remix] ] . The song has gained controversy in 21st-century South Africa because of its association with the violence of the apartheid period, and is increasingly seen as misplaced because of the rise in violent crime throughout the country since the beginning of the current multiracial order in 1994. In2008 , Zuma expressed a somewhat muted displeasure at the singing of it by violent, xenophobic mobs [cite web|url=http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=6&art_id=vn20080519055011398C263403|title= Umshini isn't a song to kill, says Zuma|publisher=IOL|accessdate=May 23|accessyear=2008] .Umdzidzi wami
Since the Jacob Zuma Rape trial several more versions of this song have been made, as well as some containing lyrics of a satirical nature Fact|date=August 2008. The song is in
Isiswati and is called "Umdzidzi wami" or "Khawuleth umdzidzi wami". The song is popular in many "shebeens" and taverns in South Africa.References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
