Solly Mahlangu - Siyabonga Jesu(Wa Hamba Nathi).mp4
Pastor Etienne Baseka, Mar 18, 2018
-snip-
This video replaces the one that was originally embedded in this pancocojams post.
****
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest update -June 21, 2026
This pancocojams post showcase a YouTube video of Solly Mahlangu's arrangement of the traditional isiZuly South African Gospel song "Wa Hamba Nathi".
This post presents information about that song along with the original Zulu lyrics, their English translation, and examples of lyrics from some other traditional African languages.
The content of this post is presented for linguistic, cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes.
Thanks to Pastor Solly Mahlangu for writing and performing this song. Thanks also to Joyous Celebration and South African Gospel singer Kgotso who also performed this song in this video (He's the man in white in the audience who Solly Mahlangu sung with toward the end of this video).
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
*The exact same YouTube video that was originally embedded in this post is no longer available on YouTube which means that its discussion thread is no longer available.
-snip-
Most of this pancocojams post is a complete reprint of an updated 2022 pancocojams post on this subject. That post is still available, but doesn't have any comments as of this date.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SOLLY MAHLANGU'S ARRANGEMENT OF "WA HAMBA NATHI"
from AI Overview [This writeup is a result of my June 21, 2026 query about this song]
"Solly Mahlangu recorded his famous song "Wa Hamba Nathi" (officially titled "Siyabonga Jesu / Wahamba Nathi") during a live performance at the Big Top Arena, Carnival City in South Africa. This live recording was released in 2011 on his album Mwamba Mwamba (Live).
[source given] https://www.shazam.com/song/1669741945/siyabonga-jesu-wahamba-nathi-live
****
From https://giamusic.com/resource/wahamba-nathi-printed-music-ww1948
"Description:
["Wa Hamba Nathi"] is “A traditional isiZulu song expressing thankfulness to God for walking beside us. Celebratory and lots of fun, this would make a fantastic concert opener or closer.”
-snip-
The Solly Mahlangu version is an arrangement of this traditional song which repeats the lyrics in various South African languages.
During this rendition of this song in the YouTube video that is embedded above, Pasto Solly Mahlangu and his backup singers made marching motions with their arms and legs. Camera footage of the audience also showed many members of the audience also "marching" in place as they sung along with Pasto Solly Mahlangu and his singers. At one point in that rendition, Pastor Mahlangu said "Let's do the four corners!". At that point he and his back up singers face East and then (while continuing to sing) face north, then west, and then south.
It's likely that that Solly Mahlangu introduced that custom of marching while singing that song facing each of the four cardinal directions of the globe as a reflection of the spirit of the song that Jesus walks with us. The marching gesture probably also reflects the tenet that Christians are God's soldiers in a battle against evil. Notice that the audience in this showcase YouTube video joins along with the singers in their performance of those marching gestures..
-snip-
In YouTube videos of Solly Mahlangu's version of "Wa Hamba Nathi" the song begins in isiZulu and the words to that verse are repeated in some other South African languages.
Here's a comment exchange about the languages used in the rendition that is shown in that embedded video:
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNO5Z8eY3Gk [This video is no longer available.]
Dr.Isabella Daniel, 2021
"What language"
**
Reply
Allison, 2022
"They keep repeating the same lyrics in various different languages. He announces the language before each version."
**
Please share the translation/s that you know about this song by adding a comment in this pancocojams post's discussion thread below. Thanks!
DISCLAIMER
This content quotes translations that I found online. I don't know if these translations are correct. Additions and corrections are very welcome.
OFFICIAL LYRICS FOR WA HAMBA NATHI
From https://africangospellyrics.com/2011/11/14/siyabonga-jesu-lyrics-by-solly-mahlangu/
(Sung in Zulu, isiNdebele then in Sotho)
[“Siyabonga Jesu” sung in different dialects* here.]
Wahamba nathi, oh wahamba nathi (You walked with us, oh you walked with us)
Oh wahamba nathi, siyabonga (Oh you walked with us, we thank you) x2
Siyabonga Jesu, Siyabonga ngonyama yezulu (we thank you Jesus, Lion of heaven)
Siyabonga Jesu, Siyabonga (we thank you Jesus, we thank you) x2
Wakhamba nathi, oh wakhamba nathi(You walked with us, oh you walked with us)
Oh wakhamba nathi, Siyathokoza (Oh you walked with us, we thank you) x2
Siyathokoza Jesu, Siyathokoza kakaramba (we thank you Jesus, mighty God)
Siyathokoza Jesu, Siyathokoza (We thank you Jesus, we thank you) x2
Wa tsamaya le rona, oh wa tsamaya le rona (You walked with us, oh you walked with us)
Oh wa tsamaya le rona, re a boka(Oh you walked with us, we thank you) x2
Leha nka tsamaya kgohlong ya moriti wa lefu(though I walk through the valley of death)
Jesu hobane o na le nna (Jesus you are always with me)
watsama yande runa, re a boka (You walked with us, we thank you)
Riya wakabatata wabafuma, (Through thick and thin,)
Jehova hobane o na le nna (Jehova you are always with me)
oh watsama yande runa, re a boka (Oh You walked with us, we thank you)
Re a boka jesu, re a boka tlatlamathjolo, (We thank you Jesus, Lion of heaven)
Re a boka jesu, re ya boka (we thank you Jesus, we thank you) x2
Siyabonga Jesu, Siyabonga ngonyama yezulu (We thank you Jesus, Lion of heaven)
Siyabonga Jesu, Siyabonga (we thank you Jesus, we thank you) x2
-snip-
*In my opinion, the word "dialects" that is used in that note should be replaced with the word "languages"
ONLINE REPRINT - "WA HAMBA NATHI" IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES
From https://africangospellyrics.com/in-all-languages/siyabonga-jesu-i-thank-you-jesus/
(All languages except for English are listed alphabetically)
English:
You walked with us, Oh you walked with us
Oh you walked with us, We thank you.
We thank you Jesus, we thank you Lion of Heaven
We thank you Jesus, we thank you
Akan/Twi(Ghana):
Wo ne y3n nam, oh wo ne y3n nam
Oh wo ne y3n nam, y3 da wo ase
Y3 da w’ase yesu, y3 da w’se Osoro Gyata
Y3 da w’ase yesu, y3 da w’ase
Kamba (Kenya)
Waendie naitu, Oh waendie naitu
Oh waendie naitu, ni muvea
Ni muvea Yesu, ni muvea Munyambu wa Ituni
Ni muvea Yesu, ni muvea
Luganda (Uganda):
Wagenda nafe, Oh wagenda nafe
Oh wagenda nafe, tukwebaza.
Tukwebaza Yesu, tukwebaza Mpologoma ye Gulu
Tukwebaza Yesu, tukwebaza
Shona(Zimbabwe):
WoFamba Nesu, WoFamba Nesu
WoFamba Nesu, Tinotenda
Tinotenda Jesu, Tinotenda Shumba Yedenga
Tinotenda Jesu, Tinotenda
Sotho(South Africa/ Lesotho):
Wa tsamaya le rona, oh wa tsamaya le rona
Oh wa tsamaya le rona, re a boka
Re a boka jesu, re a boka tlatlamathjolo
Re a boka jesu, re ya boka
Swahili(East and Central Africa):
Watembea nasi, oh watembea nasi,
Oh watembea nasi, twashukuru
Twashukuru yesu, twashukuru Simba wa Yuda
Twashukuru Yesu, twashukuru
Tsivenda(South Africa):
Vha tshimbila na rine, oh vha tshimbila na rine
Oh vha tshimbila na rine, ria livhuwa.
Ria livhuwa Yesu, ria livhuwa Khosi ya Mahosi
ria livhuwa Yesu, ria livhuwa
Zulu(South Africa):
Wahamba nathi, Oh wahamba nathi
Oh wahamba nathi, siyabonga
Siyabonga Jesu, siyabonga Ngonyama Yezulu
Siyabonga Jesu, siyabonga
****
"WA HAMBA NATHI" LANGUAGE COMMENTS FROM OTHER ONLINE WEBSITES AND FROM SEVERAL YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREADS
These comments may repeat translations or differ from other translations that are quoted in this post.
Numbers are given for referencing purposes only.
Excerpt #1
From http://africangospellyrics.wordpress.com/2011/11/14/siyabonga-jesu-lyrics-by-solly-mahlangu/#commentsAfrican Gospel Lyrics
1. Siya, Feb 26, 2012
"I stand to be corrected but according to my knowledge Solly is rendering the song in three different Languages WAHAMBA is a zulu word meaning(You walked) and WAKHAMBA is a ndebele word bearing the same meaning. SIYABONGA means (We thank you) and SIYATHOKOZA meaning(We are grateful/We are pleased)… Then an outstanding xhosa verse which goes:
Enkosi yesu (Thank you Jesus)
Enkosi Gweletshetshe (????
Enkosi Koga lezulu (????
Siyabulela (We thank you)
2.
"thank u Pstr SOLLY for a wondrfull show we had in Zimbabwe we sng it in shona- Wafamba nesu(u walked with) wafamba nesu ooh wafamba nesu, tinotenda(thank u) Tinotenda shumba yajudha (we think u the lion of judda)"
**
3. Akosua, Oct 19, 2012
"Love this song…In Twi (Akan – Ghana), we’ll sing…
Wone yen Nantew, ooh wone yen Nantew, ooh wone yen Nantew, yeda w’ase..."
****
Excerpt #2
From http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/12/solly-mahlangu-wahamba-nathi-siyabonga.html [comments]
1. Unknown, Decembe 17, 2013 at 4:38 AM
"In KINYARWANDA (Rwanda) Rhyming with Music Rhythm: This song is very nice and spiritually significant. Hereafter is shown the procedure of how to sing it in Kinyarwanda;
Wabanye natwe, oh Wabanye natwe (You walked with us, oh you walked with us)
Oh wabanye natwe, uhimbazwe (Oh you walked with us, we thank you)
Wabanye natwe, oh Wabanye natwe (You walked with us, oh you walked with us)
Oh wabanye natwe, uhimbazwe (Oh you walked with us, we thank you)
uhimbazwe Yesu, uhimbazwe mwami w'Abami (We thank you Jesus, we thank you Lion of heaven)
uhimbazwe Yesu, uhimbazwe (we thank you Jesus, we thank you)
uhimbazwe Yesu, uhimbazwe mwami w'Abami (We thank you Jesus, we thank you Lion of heaven)
uhimbazwe Yesu, uhimbazwe (we thank you Jesus, we thank you)
Thanks to Pastor Solly Mahlangu for composing and performing this song."
**
2. Unknown December 24, 2012 9:39 AM
"Wow can't just stop singing the song in nigerian languages.....in yoruba we sing :
Eyin le ba'wa rin ha (You walked with us
Eyin le ba'wa rin ha (You walked with us
Eyin le ba'wa rin adupe lowo Re (You walked with us we thank You
Adupe lowo Re Jesu (we thank You Jesus
Adupe lowo Re Oba aiyeraye (we thank You The Everlasting King
Adupe lowo Re Jesu (we thank You Jesus
Adupe lowo Re (we thank You
In Igbo language we sing:
Gi duru anyin eh (You walked with us
Gi duru anyin eh (You walked with us
Gi duru anyin anyin ne kele Gi (You walked with us we thank You
Anyin ne kele Gi Jesus (we thank You Jesus
Anyin ne kele Gi Nw'Aturu we gburu (we thank You the Lamb that was slain
Anyin ne kele Gi Jesus (we thank You Jesus
Anyin ne kele Gi (we thank You
**
3. Anonymous, June 1, 2014 at 8:04 AM
"THIS SONG IS A BLESSING AND A TRUE SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT.... PST. SALLY AND YOUR GROUP WELCOME TO KENYA
JUSPER_ NAIROBI, KENYA
IN KAMBA MY NATIVE LANGUAGE THE VERSES WOULD BE:-
Ni uendanitye naitu ii, ni uendanitye naitu ii,
( you have walked with us oh, you have walked with us oh)
Ni uendanitye naitu ii, twi tunga muvea.
( you have walked with us, we thank you)"
****
EXCERPT #3
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guiPmwwwXPU Solly Mahlangu | Siyabonga Jesu(Wa Hamba Nathi) published by Gospel SA, April 18, 2014
1. musule veron, 2017
"HOW WE DO IT IN WESTERN KENYA
Ochendire Ninafwe, Ooh Ochendire Ninafwe
Oh Ochendire Ninafwe, Khukwitsomia
Ochendire Ninafwe, Ooh Ochendire Ninafwe
Oh Ochendire Ninafwe, Khukhwitsomia
Khukhwitsomia Yesu, Khukhwitsomia Omwami wa Vami
Khukhwitsomia Yesu, KhuKhwitsomia. X2"
-snip-
I don't know which language this is.
2.
"here is in swahili
umekuwa nasi,
ooh umekuwa nasi
tawshukuru
twashukuru Yesu,twashukuru simba wa Yudah,twashukuru Yesu,twashukuru.
umetembea nasi ,ooh umetembea nasi ,twashukuru
............continues"
3.
"French:
Tu as marché avec nous, Oh, tu a marché avec nous
Oh tu as marché avec nous, nous te remercions
Nous te remerçions Jesus, nous te remerçions le lion de Juda ( du Ciel).
Kinyarwanda:
Wagendanye Natwe, Oh, wagendanye natwe
Oh wagendanye natwe, turagushimira
Turagushimira Yesu, Turagushimira Ntare ya Yuda ( Yo mu ijuru)
Luganda (Uganda):
Wagenda nafe, Oh wagenda nafe
Oh wagenda nafe, tukwebaza.
Tukwebaza Yesu, tukwebaza Mpologoma ye Gulu
Tukwebaza Yesu, tukwebaza"
**
4. Abayomi Opadele, 2018
"I'm Nigerian and I LOVE this song.
O ba wa rin, Oh o ba wa rin
Oh o ba wa rin, adupe oluwa
Adupe o Jesu, adupe o kinihun eya judah
Adupe o Jesus, Adupe oluwa
**
5. Ntombie Atandwa, 2018
"Enkosi yesu; enkosi ngweletshetshe; enkosi yesu; siyabulela😍#proud xhosa"
**
6. OLOMUNYAK NAIRUKO, 2018
"Maasai version
riamarieki ooh riamarieki pokikataa"
**
7. Juliette JUVIDA, 2019
"Ewé (Togo): O lé zon koudo mi, Oh O lé zon koudo mi
Oh O lé zon koudo mi, Mi dakpé na wo.
Mi dakpé na wo Yésu, Mi dakpé na wo Dzipo bé dzanta
Mi dakpé na wo Yésu, Mi dakpé na wo"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
