Three Examples Of The South African Gospel Song "Ndikhokhele Bawo" ("Bawo") As Sung By Phila Mpofu And Other School Students

Phila Mpofu, Sept 16, 2023
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Phila Mpofu is the lead singer for this South African high school's morning assembly rendition of the traditional isiXhosa hymn "Ndikhokhele Bawo". The name and location of that school is "Soqhayisa Senior Secondary School" in Motherwell township, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Here's the summary of the first published video of this school's morning assembly rendition of "Bawo" that was published by Luthando Makanda* ; 

"This video was taken on the 12 March 2023 at the Motherwell Center in Soqhayisa where we teach Grade 10 to 12s Mathematics and Science.
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*This video uploader now uses the online name "South African School Assembly Music+Gwijo". That video is no longer available and was the same as this one published by Phila Mpofu. Some comments from that video's discussion thread are found below.
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Video #2 in this pancocojams post appears to be the earliest published video example of a  rendition of "Bawo" that is still found online (as of Feb. 25, 2024) which is led by Phila Mpofu and also sung by other students. Some of these renditions may have occurred on different days.  

UPDATE- August 7, 2024
Video #2 and Video #3 are no longer available as the YouTube account for South African School Assembly Music+Gwijo hasbeen closed.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision- March 5, 2024

This pancocojams post showcases three videos of the traditional isiXhosa hymn "Ndikhokhele Bawo" (Lead Me Father) sung during morning assembly by the Motherwell Center in Soqhayisa, South Africa. That song is also known online as "Bawo". 

The isiXhosa lyrics of this song are included in this pancocojams post along with their English translations. This post also presents a few comments from two YouTube discussion threads of videos of this school singing this hymn during their morning assembly. 

The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes. 

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer/s of this song and thanks to Phila Mpofu and all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-gospel-song-ndikhoklele-bawo.html for the closely related pancocojams post about this song.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Ndikhokhele Bawo, Yawa LeMbewu, Mandingasali Medley (Patiently Watch It gets Better ❤️‍🔥🙌🙌❤️‍🔥)

South African School Assembly Music+Gwijo, July 2, 2023

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: Zundikhokhele Bawo (Lead and Guide Me Father) she lead sings again watch till end😇😃 (with Lyrics)

South African School Assembly Music+Gwijo, Sep 9, 2023
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This video uploader is a teacher or other staff person who is associated with the school whose students are singing during this morning assembly. The name and location of that school is "Soqhayisa Senior Secondary School" in Motherwell township, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
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The lyrics in this video are given as captions within the video.

Another version of the lyrics to "Ndikhokhele Bawo" is given below in this pancocojams post.

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ONLINE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SONG "NDIKHOKHELE BAWO"
These quotes are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

Quote #1
https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/ndikhokhele-bawo-satb-print-ww1581 
Ndikhokhele Bawo (SATB)*
..."Description:
A traditional Xhosa song that almost every black South African grew up singing in church. It is commonly sung during the Holy Communion, as it is significant to do so, considering the text."
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"SATB" 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SATB
"Choral music

Four-part harmony using soprano, alto, tenor and bass is a common scoring in classical music,[1][2][3][4] including chorales and most Bach cantatas.[5]"

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Quote #2
From https://arsingers.org/ndikhokhele-bawo/
"NDIKHOKHELE BAWO, October 23, 2020 "Ndikhokhele Bawo” – arr. Michael Barrett
"The text of Ndikhokhele Bawo comes from Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” and is in the Xhosa language. This Bantu language falls into the category of Nguni languages, the same umbrella that contains Zulu; Xhosa is one of the most widely spoken languages in South Africa"

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QUOTE #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHHnztrFU9k
Ndikhokhele Bawo (Three-part Mixed) - arr. Michael Ryan

The Lorenz Corporation, Jan 29, 2019
"This authentic setting of a cherished isiXhosa folk song…"

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THE EARLIEST YOUTUBE EXAMPLE OF THIS SONG
There are multiple versions of "Ndikhokhele Bawo" on YouTube. 

The earliest  version of "Ndikhokhele Bawo" that I have found on YouTube is Mzansi Youth Choir, Jul 27, 2011, Producer, arranger and Conductor: Ralf Schmitt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioM2migkXiA 

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LYRICS - NDIKHOKHELE BAWO
(Traditional IsiXhosa song, no composer/s identified)

" (originally sung in Xhosa) 

Ndikhokhele Bawo, zundi kokhele (Lead me oh Father [Lead me])
Ndikhokhele mmeli wami (Lead me my savior)
Ezintsizini,  Zalomhlaba Bawo (in all the sorrows of this world Father)
(Bawo, Bawo, Bawo) ( Father, Father, Father)
Bawo ndiyabonga (Father I thank you)
Ngoba wena usandigcinile (for you still protect/keep me) (Repeat)

Thaluthele thuze kwami  (You calm all my fears) x2
(Bawo, bawo, bawo) ( Father, Father, Father)
Bawo ndiyabonga (Father I thank you)
Ngoba wena usandigcinile (for you still protect me)

Mmeli wami bawo uthaluthele thuze kwami (Father, Savior, you calm my fears)
Bawo ndiyabonga (Father I thank you)
Ngoba wena usandigcinile (for you still protect me) (Repeat)

(Verse 2)

(Verse 1) "

Online Source - https://africangospellyrics.com/2013/10/04/ndikhokhele-lead-me-lyrics-by-mzansi-youth-choir/

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SELECTED YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREAD COMMENTS FROM TWO DISCUSSION THREADS FOR TWO YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT "BAWO"  AS LED BY PHILA MPOFU 

Numbers are given for referencing purposes only.

Update: Feb. 25, 2024- The video that is given at the top of this post isn't the original video that was uploaded on YouTube of this school's students singing that song. The YouTube video that was originally given in this post that was given here as VIDEO #2 is no longer available. That video's title was entitled "ZundiKhokhele, Bawo Ngiyabonga, Usandigcinile (Female Leading Voice, Amazing)#worshipsong #school" and was published by in 2023 by Luthando Makanda whose online name is now "South African School Assembly Music+Gwijo".

When a YouTube video is deleted, the comments in its discussion thread are also deleted. Fortunately, I had retrieved some of the comments from that video and posted them to this pancocojams discussion thread before that video was deleted.

1. @luthandomakanda9180, 2023
"This version is the probably the best unplanned unorchestrated version ever. GLAD YOU could stop in and hear it. I HAVE THE SUBTITLED version of the song on the channel incase you want to get the English meaning"

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2.@moafrika8789, 2023
"That African reflex of having a dance and step to go with even the simplest of our songs is what makes us undeniably blessed as Africans."

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3. @luthandomakanda9180, 2023
"One of the African Phenomenas of our time, would you say it's worthy of study and research in our Higher Institutions of Learning"

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4. @sketemamma2563, 2023
"This gives me such chills. Not only is the lead singer immensely talented but the rest of the girls match her in their enthusiasm and energy. I love the way that girl in the front row is really feeling it. 😀 I went to school in Zimbabwe and miss these days - the assemblies, the hymns and the overall formality and respect we showed these gatherings. I wish Black kids here in the U.S. could experience this. Am proud of my little sisters. ❤️❤️❤️🇿🇼🇿🇼"

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5. @jamesnjenga813, 2023
"What a way to start the day South Africans have sweet voices they sing sing soo effortlessly loving this from Kenya you guys are the best out choirs can't come close to what you guys can do"

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6. Luthando Makanda, 2023
"Thank you so much James hope this earns your subscription... and this was just an assembly, as spontaneous as can be"

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7.  @truquetie8149, 2023
"NO MICROPHONE NEEDED! You can still hear her. ❤"

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8. @keemafleming9051, 2023
"I can listen to this over and over… her voice is so powerful and amazing, it brings me joy, sadness and comfort all at once… keep singing young lady… listening and watching out to see you again singing"

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9. @rutendokapezi4582, 2023
"When the camera focused on the lead I couldn’t believe it I thought she was on stage . So beautiful I started crying when I saw how calm she was leading with such power and poise ❤❤blessed"

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10. @aliciamcdonald7105, 2023
"The most amazing voice I have ever heard. NO mic, no auto tune, nothing but PURE UNADULTERATED passion and gifting by the MOST HIGH!"

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11. @priscillapolakie9684, 2023
"I remember my days every morning at school,,we used to start the day with a prayer,,those were the days 😊"

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12. @thulisilegumede8060, 2023
"It also reminds me of my childhood days when we used to pray and praise God. I am happy to see that there are still schools which have ‘assemblies’ ❤❤"

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13. @tiffanybrown5413,2023
"My brother found a clip of this on TikTok this morning and sent it to me. My spirit was IMMEDIATELY moved to tears before I even knew what these babies were singing. The lyrics took me over the top!! ❤🙌🏾🙌🏾 You can literally FEEL the presence of the Holy Spirit. I had goosebumps and I have been listening to this song on repeat for the past 2 hours. Thank you so much for sharing  this blessing with the rest of the world. Sending you all love from United States (Ohio)🇺🇲"
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Update: Oct. 18, 2023
Here's a comment exchange about this same high school singing another South African Gospel song entitled "Ndizolibonga Elakho Igama" (This explanation also pertains to that high school morning assembly's renditions of "Ndikhokhele Bawo" from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j2lLj2jo5Y

1. @sibongilemncube5374,2023
"Do they rehearse ❤ they sound exceptional. Reminds me of assembly days yhuuuu. The coordination, love the concept of taking assembly time serious and having order which is what the God we serve is about"

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2. @luthandomakanda9180, 2023
"No they don't rehearse, but a synergy exist because when we have assembly they repeat certain songs allowing many to catch the catch the flow of how a song should be, but often times we get surprised by the spontaneity"
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Based on this comment and on another comment exchange in that video's discussion thread or in another  discussion thread of a video that Luthando Makanda published about those high school students singing "Ndikhokhele Bawo", Luthando Makanda is a teacher at that high school.

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Selected Comments from the video given as Video #2 in this post
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXgCxI4Enps
1.@zuripenda, 2023

"So wonderful, those strong powerful voices and you know the dance moves me.

Thankful as always

Please greet them for me.

🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹"

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2. @schoolassembly_gwijo,2023
"Thank you so much will pass on the greetings"

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3. @bthompson2192, 2023
"What a way to start the school day! We should all follow this everywhere in all schools. Just Beautiful"

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4. @reginaldsmith1556,2023
"Agree"

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5. @schoolassembly_gwijo, 2023
"It really is, and it gets us learners and Educators excited to get the day going."

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6. @uchennaorinya5701, 2023
"What's the title of this song? I want to download it."

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7. @schoolassembly_gwijo, 2023
"This a Medley that the kids in our school just randomly sang on the spot"

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8. @EmmahTendai-qt2ch,2023
"Wow️..

Which school is this."

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9. @schoolassembly_gwijo,2023
"It's at the premises of  Soqhayisa but congregating various schools who are part of the ProMaths Kutlwanong Initiative to better Maths and Science in previously disadvantaged learners in Motherweĺl Gqeberha'

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10. @perpsabraham6734,2023
"Which school is this kindly?"

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11. @schoolassembly_gwijo, 2023
"Combination of schools in Motherwell, but we using the premises of a school Called Soqhayisa Senior Secondary School."

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12. @sanelisiwemabaso8196, 2023
"This explains the two set of uniforms showing.... Beautifully sang, reminds me of my school days"

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13. @elizabethmoniloye2829,2023
"I don't understand a single word but I love this song and the way it's sang and the dance steps"

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14. @valentinemuziomhle5492, 2023
"I'm so touched this is what was supposed to be kept in schools unfortunately they've cancelled assembly time for what only God knows but keep this up it's so nice to start the day with this wonderful mood it makes a learner to even forget what happened at at home before living this is so lovely"

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15. @schoolassembly_gwijo, 2023
"Thank you so much @valentinemuziomuhle5492

we stay ever encouraged to continue  as a movement this side to ensure that this inspiring tradition never fades, and you correct it directs the focus and attention of our Learners and they are able to aspire and reach for greater heights"

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