This pancocojams post presents seven YouTube videos of South African Gwijo remixes of Rihanna's hit 2016 Dancehall song "Work".
The Addendum to this pancocojams post presents some information about Rihanna's song "Work".
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Rhianna for her musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are featured in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. -snip- Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/09/what-do-xhosa-south-africa-words-gwijo.html for the pancocojams post entitled "What Do The Xhosa (South Africa) Words "Gwijo" And "AmaGwijo" Mean?"
This pancocojams post showcases some of the Gwijo remixes of Rihanna's hit 2016 Dancehall song "Work" that I have found on YouTube. Although Rihanna's "Work" song which featured Drake was released in 2016, the earliest YouTube video of a Gwijo remix of that song that I've come across is dated August 31, 2019 That example is given as Showcase Video #2 below. (I also came across a Short YouTube 2019 video of a Gwijo remix of Rihanna's "Work", but I don't showcase Short videos on pancocojams because they immediately lead to other videos).
** Some partsof these Gwijo remixes of Rihanna's song have the same tune of Rihanna's Dancehall song. It's very easy to recognize the English words "work work work work work" which Rihanna sings in her song. Those are the only English words that I hear in that song. I believe the other words for those Gwijos are in isiXhosa, since most Gwijos are in that language.
I haven't found the lyrics to any of the Gwijo remixes of Rihanna's song "Work". Those lyrics aren't shared in those discussion threads (which happens with a few of the Gwijos). I think that all of the Gwijo remixes of Rihanna's song have the same or very similar words,but I'm not sure about that.
A comment from the discussion thread of one of the "Work Work" Gwijo videos that is showcased in this pancocojams post may be a direct quote for one line for those songs. I added that comment to the discussion thread below this pancocojams post.
** Some Gwijo remixes of Rihanna's "Work" song are slower than others. As is the case with most Gwijos, the singers perform a cappella. An exceptionis when one of the singers uses an improvised musical instrument for percussive effect. For example, in one of these "Work Work" videos, a singer hits an empty plastic bottle against the pavement and in another one of these "Work Work" videos ,a singer hits two empty plastic bottles together. I've noticed this custom on some other Gwijo videos of a member of the group making a drum like sound on some "random" object such as a large plastic container that he (or she) holds.
** I use he word "gwijos" as a plural form of the word "gwijo" although that term isn't correct in the IsiXhosa language.
** Please share any information about these Gwijo remixes (such as when they were first sung) and please share any lyrics that you know for these Gwijos. Thanks in advance.
**** SHOWCASE #2: - Jeppe.gwijo~work
Jeppe Gwijo, Aug 31, 2019 JEPPE
HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS
You told me I deserve it ♡
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - Work work work work
Owethu's gwijo, May 27, 2020 -snip- I believe that an example of this same group singing this Gwijo was posted on Oct 18, 2019 by Bonolo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYYDM8xyE28 . I didn't embed that example because the it was videotaped sideways.
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - Work Work
Pule Matiba, May 24, 2021NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY VAAL TRIANGLE CAMPUS
#gwijo
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - Work Work gwijo | Rihanna remix😅😅
Who said South Africans weren't creative? Bad girl Riri would surely love this...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #7- Work Work Gwijo Song by The Amazing
Voices
The Amazing Voices, Apr 19, 2023
#Gwijosongs #Gwijo #TheAmazingVoices
**** ADDENDUM-INFORMATION ABOUT RIHANNA'S SONG "WORK" From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_(Rihanna_song) " "Work" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her eighth studio album Anti (2016), featuring Canadian rapper Drake. The song was released as the lead single on January 27, 2016, through Westbury Road and Roc Nation. The song was written by the artists, PartyNextDoor, Monte Moir, Rupert "Sevn" Thomas, Allen Ritter, and producer Matthew "Boi-1da" Samuels, with additional production from Kuk Harrell and Noah "40" Shebib.[1] The dancehall, reggae-pop, and R&B song, contains an interpolation of "If You Were Here Tonight" (1985) performed by Alexander O'Neal. Lyrically, the song incorporates themes of working for money, as well as discussing fragile relationships. The song is written in Jamaican Patois and Bajan Creole.[2][3] Three of its writer-producers: Rupert "Sevn" Thomas, Matthew "Boi-1da" Samuels, and Jahron "PartyNextDoor" Brathwaite, are Jamaican-Canadians.[4][5]
Critical opinion improved over time; the song was included on several year-end lists and nominated for two awards at the 59th Grammy Awards: Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The song reached number one on the United States' Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Rihanna's fourteenth number-one single and making her the act with the fourth-most number-one songs on the chart (after The Beatles, Mariah Carey and Elvis Presley). The song remained at the top for nine weeks. The song also peaked at number one in nine additional countries and is certified Platinum or higher in thirteen countries, including 9× Platinum in the US, 3× Platinum in the UK and Diamond in France. It has also since sold 32.5 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling digital singles of all-time.[6]
The song was accompanied by two music videos, which both premiered on February 22, 2016. The first of the two versions was directed by Rihanna's previous collaborator Director X, while the second was directed by Tim Erem. The song was further promoted with live performance's at the 2016 BRIT Awards which featured guest appearances from Drake and SZA, the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, as well as being performed on the Anti World Tour. "Work" became the first dancehall song to top the Billboard Hot 100 since Rihanna's own "Rude Boy" (2010) and was succeeded three weeks later by another dancehall song, Drake's "One Dance"."... -snip- Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtXeXd-VMEM for a (clean) sound file of Rihanna's song "Work". The official videos for this song is labeled explicit.
This pancocojams post presents an article excerpt about the South African Gwijo "Hamba Wena".
This post also showcases seven YouTube examples of Gwijos with the words "Hamba Wena" in their title.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
Thanks to the composers of these songs and thanks to 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 examples on YouTube. -snip- Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/10/what-does-deep-london-and-boohles-hit.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "What Does The 2022 South African Amapiano Song "Hamba Wena" by Deep London & Boohle Mean? (including an English translation of the Zulu Lyrics)"
May 15,2023 by Zile "Hamba Wena Gwijo is the new viral song that has turned into
a dance challenge on Tiktok and netizens are now loving it and want to sing
along with the lyrics. The song is been pushed by multiple stream sources and
today we decided to do the needful by adding the lyrics here.
Here are the quotable lyrics of Hamba Wena Gwijo song going viral on social
media.
iyooh hamba wena Hamba wena , hamba Hamba wena , hamba Hamba wena , hamba Hamba wena , hamba -snip- Google translate from Zulu to English:
tomorrow I left Be loved We will call each other. We will call each other You are my mind, Ooh you're the one who will end people, You are my mind, You are the one who ends,
Yes, you go Go you, go Go you, go Go you, go Go you, go"
**** PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Pancocojams Editor's Note: Based on what I've read online, it appears that the Amapiano song has been given a different meaning (encouraging someone to continue dancing: "You go, Girl" or "You Go Boy") rather than the lyrics' literal meanings (Saying goodbye to a beloved person who is leaving). The Gwijo songs adhere to the literal meanings of those words.
Also, the tune and beats for the Gwijo songs are different than the tune and beats for the Amapiano song.
Also, notice that the two sets of lyrics for that are given for this Gwijo in this post aren't exactly the same. In addition, the lyrics for these "Hamba Wena" Gwijos are quite different from the lyrics for the Amapiano song "Hama Wena" by Deep London and Boohle that are given onhttps://genius.com/Deep-london-and-boohle-hamba-wena-lyrics.
Please share information and your opinions about the similarities and differences between these "HambaWena" Gwijos and the Amapiano song entitled "Hamba Wena".
**** ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF THIS SONG These videos are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Athandwe / Hamba Wena (Gwijo instru) - P La (The Gwijo King)
Iyoh hamba wena! (X8). -snip- Here's a comment exchange from that video's discussion thread:
@user-ex2qv6bv5x,2023 "I'm Gabonese I love this song pleaese can you translate for
me?"
** Reply @PLaTheGwijoKing, 2023 "Thanks for your support! 🇬🇦♥
I interpret the lyrics as follows:
"Athandwe, tomorrow I'm leaving, we'll call each other,
you are all over my head and haters can't stop" us."
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - Athandwe gwijo (hamba Wena)
nerd _ rsa TV, Aug 5, 2023
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - Hamba wena Gwijo (adiwele) practice session.😂🎼🔥
Izimboza6242, Jul 6, 2023
Mgidi season, here we come.😂🙌🏻🔥🔥
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - FULL VIDEO of Athandwe by banyana banyana🔥💯
|| South african female football | gwijo songs
The Matrix Podcast, Jul 27, 2023 -snip- Football" in this video's title refers to what people in the United States call "soccer". -snip- Another video of this same performance provided the information that the lead singer is Banyana Banyana Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini..
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #6 - Hamba Wena Gwijo ft Sphe
Daniel Snaps, Aug 3, 2023
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #7 - igwijo hamba wena by TUT
amakrwara wamaHlubi, Aug 8, 2023 -snip- "TUT" refers to Tshwane University of Technology Here's an excerpt about that South African university from https://www.tut.ac.za/study-at-tut/i-want-to-study/prospective "Established in 2004, TUT is the largest residential
university in South Africa. The
University has nine campuses in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, with two
learning sites in Durban and Cape Town.
The University was recently academically ranked (2016 –
2017) as the top University of Technology in South Africa (URAP), as well as
the top University of Technology in Africa (Webometrics).”…
This pancocojams post presents general information about "toyi toyi", a South African way of protest marching that is often accompanied by chanting and singing.
This post also presents specific information about the toyi toyi song entitled "Nantsi Mellow Yellow" and showcases several videos of that protest song.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and educational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who have toyi toyied in the past and who still toyi toyi for righteous causes and thanks to the unknown composers of toyi toyi songs. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
**** GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT TOYI TOYI Fromhttps://theculturetrip.com/africa/south-africa/articles/toyi-toyi-south-africas-spirited-dance-of-protest/ by Andrew Thompson, 11 June 2018 "For more than 40 years, black South Africans rejected the
oppressive apartheid regime with non-violent protests, turning to music and
dance. At the heart of this was a form of protest dance, the toyi-toyi, which
to this day stands out as a powerful resistance against the status quo at
protests and gatherings around the country.
The period of protest against the apartheid regime was
dubbed ‘the struggle’, and despite some of the deepest moments of hopelessness
and despair, it was a time punctuated by powerful music. Those leading the
battle against apartheid used music and dance to communicate a strong message,
unite people on the ground, and motivate them to keep pushing forward.
Music and dance as a form of protest
Even during some of the country’s most devastating protests,
when unarmed Africans were shot in cold blood, or often in the back, there was
a resilient spirit driven by song which lead iconic musician Hugh Masekela to
say: “We will go down in history as an army that spent a lot of time singing,
rather than fighting”.
Although some of this singing and dancing might have been
perceived as almost joyous – and certainly much of it by the likes of Masekela
was – there was an unmistakable rhythmic aggression to the toyi-toyi dance that
had the ability to strike fear into the hearts of the various apartheid-era
security forces trying to quell any unrest.
[…]
The power and efficacy of the dance was, and is,
multi-faceted. The rhythmic high-stepping movements, with loud stomping and
synchronous chants and singing, resembled a war dance of sorts. It was a clear
indication from protesters that they were not going to settle for anything less
than an overthrow of the status quo
[…]
A protest movement so deeply ingrained in the psyche of its
people will not disappear quickly, and in present day South Africa the
toyi-toyi is still common at protests. Although protesters may not be fighting
against a racist and oppressive regime today, toyi-toying is still used as a
way to unite against new issues, such as access to land, education, and other
basic human rights that have yet to reach parts of the country.
Even though the target of the toyi-toyi may have shifted,
the dance is still a powerful rallying cry. It is a true symbol of the triumph
of the spirit of South Africans pushing back in the face of adversity.” -snip- Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/toyi-toyi-south-african-protest-dance.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Toyi Toyi (South African protest dance) information &
videos". This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on Toyi Toyis. The link for Part II is included in that post.
**** SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT "NANTSI MELLOW YELLOW" TOYI TOYI SONG Excerpt #1:
Toyi Toyi - Song, published by TV YABANTU, Mar 20, 2015
[This video can only be viewed on YouTube.]
Selected comments from the discussion thread of this embedded video. Numbers added for referencing purposes only
1. Seneca Forch, 2015 "What is the name of this song?"
** Reply 2. Mbali Ntshingila, 2017 "Seneca Forch Mellow Yellow" -snip- Another commenter wrote that this was an ANC song.
** 3. Amelia Felix, 2017 "what beautiful voices .... this sound reminds me of watching
them toyi toyi down commissioner street
back in 1993"
** 4. kelvin buobi, 2021 "What does this song means,
: Nantsi Mellow Yellow ?"
** Reply 5. Sibulele Solilo, 2022 "During apartheid, there was a police vehicle called the
Hippo it was yellow in colour whe the army and police were deployed in the
townships they used to go into the townships driving them. So saying nantsi
yellow mellow was a warning to the others that the police/army has arrived." -snip- Google translate from Xhosa to English: Nantsi = "Here it is".
* "here is mellow yellow, hot, hot, nantsizosdubula .." #MandelaMemorial -snip- Google translate from Xhosa to English: nantsizosdubula = here's
a shot
** cmon lekota
@CLekota
Feb 8, 2020
Replying to
@TjatjaragNative
and
@AzaniaMatiwane -snip- This tweet consists of a photograph of the mellow yellow vehicle that was used by the South African government in response to apartheid protests.
**** ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF THE SONG "NANTSI MELLOW YELLOW"
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Nantsi iMellow-Yellow💣
Gwijo Avenue, May 6,
2022 -snip- In this video, "Nantsi Mellow Yellow" is sung as a gwijo. Here are a few comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. Eugen Mathebula, 2022 "Gwijo 🔥🔥🔥"
** 2. Branchboiiz_backsquad15_ Tree Clan, 2022 "Can you sing like it is originally and not add spice to it
please 🥺👍"
** Reply 3. Thembi Mdolo, 2022 "We want the spices. We enjoy them"
** 4. PK Special, 2022 "You guys just took me back to 1976 The Massacre in
Starpville ✊" -snip- Here's information gwijos from https://www.jeremydetolly.com/blog/ep39 "Amagwijo is a particular Xhosa practice of collective singing deeply embedded in African culture. It takes the form of call and response (“I say something//You say something I hear you//You hear me. We’re in dialogue together”). Because Gwijo uses no instruments (other than the voice), it could be described asa cappella. For the amaXhosa people of South Africa, Gwijo songs have traditionally been sung to accompany weddings, funerals, initiations and other rites of passage and sacred moments."... -snip- Since 2019, groups of Black South Africans sports fans have begun singing gwijos at ruby and football (soccer) games. Many of these gwijos are toyi toyi songs. -snip- Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/09/online-information-about-south-african.html for a 2020 pancocojams post entitled "Online Information About South African Amagwijos ("Gwijos")".
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: PAC Struggle Songs - Mellow Yellow
Thando 'Moziah' Sipuye, Jun
24, 2020
PAC Commemoration of June 16 Soweto Students Uprising
organized by Karl Zimbiri Wizza Military Camp, featuring the OUR STORY
exhibition. Held on 16 June 2020 in Soweto. -snip- Here's an excerpt about the June 16 Sowet Students Uprising from https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/june-16-soweto-youth-uprising ..."When the language of Afrikaans alongside English was made compulsory as a medium of instruction in schools in 1974, black students began mobilizing themselves. On 16 June 1976 between 3000 and 10 000 students mobilized by theSouth African Students Movement's Action Committee supported by the BCM marched peacefully to demonstrate and protest against the government’s directive. The march was meant to culminate at a rally in Orlando Stadium.
On their pathway they were met by heavily armed police who fired teargas and later live ammunition on demonstrating students. This resulted in a widespread revolt that turned into an uprising against the government. While the uprising began in Soweto, it spread across the country and carried on until the following year.
The aftermath of the events of June 16 1976 had dire consequences for the Apartheid government. Images of the police firing on peacefully demonstrating students led an international revulsion against South Africa as its brutality was exposed. Meanwhile, the weakened and exiled liberation movements received new recruits fleeing political persecution at home giving impetus to the struggle against Apartheid. "...
Tsakane boys soccer song moral -snip- total # of views as of June 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM EDT- 8,635
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest update - June 24, 2025
This pancocojams post presents a chronological listing of all the YouTube gwijos that I have come across as of this date (September 13, 2021) that have the name "Beyonce" in their title.
These videos were published on YouTube from Oct 2018 through August 2021.
Hyperlinks are given for each entry in this list along with a brief description of the video.
In addition, brief information (including the video's publisher, the length of the video, and statistical information as of September 12, 2021) is also given for each entry on this list.
With one exception, all of these "Beyonce" gwijo videos feature male singers. Most of these videos are very brief (less than 1 minute) and most of these videos have no comments in their discussion threads.
The content of this post is presented for folklore, historical, and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composer/s of these "Beyonce" gwijos. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. -snip- Additions and corrections to this list (including descriptions) are very welcome.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/09/south-africans-what-are-lyrics-to_12.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "South Africans, What Are The Lyrics To The "Beyonce" Gwijo (Soccer Song)?" -snip- When I revisisted this pancocojams post on June 24, 2025, I learned that most of these videos are no longer available on YouTube. I've embedded the videos that are still available in this post. -snip- Update June 24, 2025: The name "Beyonce" in these featured songs is the very popular African American vocalist who sings R&B, Pop, Hip Hop, and country music.
These songs don't refer to the male gwijo vocalist in 2024 on whose stage name is Beyonse (also written as "Beyonce).nce is the person who is named in these South African amagwijo
**** CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF YOUTUBE "BEYONCE" GWIJOS
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: It's likely that these "Beyonce" gwijos were sung before one was published online. The publishing dates for these videos aren't necessarily the date that these videos were made.
If you are aware of "Beyonce" gwijos that were sung before October. 2018 please share that information in the comment section below. Thanks! ]
Oct
10, 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PK1zuf4Fxc&ab_channel=KamoBafana[length 1:04] Title: "Soccer song Beyonce" [This video is embedded at the top of this pancocojams post.] Publisher: Kamo Bafana Summary from video: "Tsakane boys soccer song moral" Description: Teenage and pre-teen boys outside singing "Beyonce", moving around with individual hand clap accompaniment. -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at 3:37 PM ET. Total # of views -7,951 total # of comments -2 [Update June 24, 2025- That video still has 2 comments.]
Description: Soccer players in uniform in their locker room singing while tanding or seated Tags before the video: UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG AUCKLAND PARK KINGSWAY CAMPUS -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at 1:26 PM ET. Total # of views - 37,325 [update as of June 24, 2025- 39,283 total # of comments -1 [still 1 thank you comment on June 24, 2025]
**** Jul
14, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y30RgeewPkk&ab_channel=TrashBoy [3:06] [This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title: "Gumede
(Beyonce)" Publisher: Trash
Boy Description: Gumede is a very highly regarded lead singer of amagwijo.
In this video Gumede is standing in the center of a semi-circle of other teenage boys. The singers wear regular clothes (not school uniforms). All of the singers stand relatively still, but toward the end of the video, some of them begin to snap their fingers to the beat of this song.
A commenter in the discussion thread for another video [March 13, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MbW6_G1Pl4&ab_channel=GwijoRSAbelow] credits Gumede for starting the trend for this gwijo. -snip- Statistics as of September 12, 2021 total # of comments-9
**** Jun 17, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL4OKO6mlIw&ab_channel=GwijoRSA [length 0.33] Title: "Gumede – Beyonce" Publisher: Gwijo RSA [This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Description: Gumede is singing along with other young men while standing outdoors. However, the camera focuses only on him. -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at 1:20 PM ET. Total # of views -18,404 total # of comments -0 -snip- This same video clip was also posted on Instagram on June 17, 2020. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBiKRCYpp5M/?hl=en Instagram gumede beyonce
[This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Publisher: ACAPELLA
SOUTH AFRICA
Summary- "South African Premier Soccer League PSL team Kazier Chiefs singing Gwijo song "Beyoncè"❤️🇿🇦!!!presented by ACAPELLA SOUTH AFRICA "
Note: This is the same video clip as "Gwijo - Kaizer chiefs under19 singing Ah yeBeyonce". -snip- Statistics as of September 12, 2021 total # of views- 1,259 Total # of comments -0
Nhlakanipho
Tshabalala, Sept. 1, 2020 Summary: "Beyonce ukhalelani" Description: -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at 1:35 PM ET. Total # of views - 5,916 [total as of June 24, 2025 - 25,249] total # of comments -0 [Total comments -2; 2024:greeting a singer by name; 2024 request for lyrics with no response -snip- Soccer players standing or seated singing in their locker room before a game.
**** Oct.25,
2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4ujtyYyj0o&ab_channel=MalumeConductor [length 0.33] Title: "Gumede – Beyonce" [This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Publisher: Malume
Conductor Note: This is the same video clip as "Gumede – Beyonce" (June 17, 2020] -snip- Statistics as of September 12, 2021 Total # of views- 12,837
[This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title: "Beyoncé
- Queens College 😭😭😭😭😭🔥" Publisher: Gwijo
RSA Description; Students seated indoors singing. A few students have masks to protect against Covid-19. However, they have the mask under their chin. -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at
2:32 PM ET. Total # of comments
-6 **** Mar
13, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDM1_YCqAPc&ab_channel=GwijoRSA[0.30]
[This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title - "Beyoncé
- Queens College 😭❤️❤️ Publisher- Gwijo RSA Description: Queens College students [all male] in school uniforms standing outdoors on bleachers [?], moving while they sing. Some singers have a mask on to protect from Covid; some students taking photos, Thee is chatter during filming. -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at 2:32 PM ET. Total # of views -2,689 Total # of comments -6
[This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title: "Beyoncé - Queens College 😭😭😭😭😭🙌🏿" Publisher: Gwijo
RSA Summary: "Artist: Gwijo South Africa Featured artist: Queens College Album: Gwijo: Stories Of An African Child Released: 2021 https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/gwijosouthafrica1/gwijo-stories-of-an-african-child-2 Description: Students in school uniforms singing while seated on bleachers. -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at 2:25 PM ET. Total # of views - 13,199 views total # of comments -23
**** May
6, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyZEf0O_K5w&ab_channel=GwijoRSA [This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] length- 1:28 Title: "Beyoncé - Dale College 😭😭😭😭😭🔥❤" Publisher: Gwijo RSA Description: Students in school uniforms sing outside a building. Students move around in no set order, doing foot stomps while they sing. They wear blue hospital masks on their chin (for Covid-19 protection). -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at 1:42 PM ET. Total # of views - 4,267 total # of comments -4
[This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title: Queens College Gwijo -Beyonce 🤍🧡 Publisher: Gwijo ZA Summary - "queens college Gwijo ebeyonce"
Description: Students wearing school uniform sweaters sing while seated on the floor of a classroom or standing in the back of those seated. Those standing are moving up and down to the rhythm. Those seated are rather still. At least one student wears a blue hospital mask on his chin (for Covid-19 protection.) -snip- Statistics: September 13, 2021 8:43 AM ET Total # of views -1, 028 total # of comments -1 **** May 31, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtWidBPJFvU&ab_channel=GwijoZA [0.30] [This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title "Beyonce
Gwijo" Publisher - Gwijo ZA Description: This is the only YouTube video that I found of girls singing the "Beyonce" gwijo.
Some South African females in their school uniforms are part of an outdoors audience outdoors for a progam that includes male students singing the “Beyonce” gwijo. The girls begin to sing that song harmonizing with the boys. Unfortunately this video clip ends waaay too soon with the scene of the girls moving in a procession while singing this song. -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at
2:59 PM ET. Total # of views -
233 total # of comments
-0
Title - Beyonce
(Gwijo) 😭😭😭😭😭❤ Publisher- Soccer
Songs Videos #Gwijo Note: This is the same video clip as "Beyonce
Gwijo" May 31, 2021
-snip-
Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at 3:18 PM ET. Total # of views - 144 total # of comments -0
****
Jun
13, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnPzSmMiuv8&ab_channel=ACAPELLASOUTHAFRICA[1:58] [This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title - "Beyonce
ukhalelane Gwijo song❤️🇿🇦" Publisher - ACAPELLA SOUTH AFRICA Description - A group of men sing this song inside a room of a house. The men are standing in random order, and are moving rhythmically as they sing. Towards the center of the room, one man beats on a table like a drum. Another man holds a white gourd and appears to be playing it as accompaniment for the song. -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at 1:56 PM ET. Total # of views - 67 total # of comments -0
**** June 17, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmPkOd6XEmE&ab_channel=ACAPELLASOUTHAFRICA [length - 3:06] [This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title - "Beyonce
Gwijo song❤️🇿🇦Ft Gumede Gee" Publisher - ACAPELLA SOUTH AFRICA Summary - "Gumede Gee singing Gwijo song "Beyonce"❤️🇿🇦presented
by ACAPELLA SOUTH AFRICA" Note: This is the same video as June 14, 2020 "Gumede (Beyonce)" -snip-
Statistics as of Sept. 13, 2021 at 9:30 AM ET. Total # of views - 123 Total # of likes - 5 total # of dislikes-0 total # of comments -0
**** Jul 10, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QCpS76z20s&ab_channel=GwijoRSA[0.36] [This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title: "Queens College - Beyoncé 🙏🏻🔥❤" Publisher: Gwijo RSA Description - Students in uniform enthusiastically rhythmically stomping on the bleachers while singing this gwijo. Ululations can also be heard along with the gwijo. The ones whose faces can be seen are wearing a mask as protection from Covid-19. -snip- ️Statistics as of Sept. 12, 2021 at 2:37 PM ET. Total # of views – 3,110 Total # of likes – 57 total # of dislikes-0 total # of comments -1
**** August 1, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIFmLUD-rFs&ab_channel=GwijoRSA [length 0.27] [This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title - "Beyoncé
😭😭😭😭🔥🔥" Publisher: Gwijo RSA Description - Male students wearing blue suits and red wool scarfs are singing in a classroom. One student sits on his school desk. Students wear a blue hospital mask as protection against Covid-19. -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 13, 2021 at 9:41 AM ET Total # of views – 1, 470 Total # of likes – 38 Total # of dislikes-1 Total # of comments -0
[This video is no longer available as of June 24, 2025 if not earlier.] Title - "Beyonce
Gwijo song❤️🇿🇦Ft Get Ahead College" Publisher - ACAPELLA SOUTH AFRICA Summary - "South African learners from Get Ahead College singing Gwijo
song "Beyonce"❤️🇿🇦presented by
ACAPELLA SOUTH AFRICA" Note: This is the same video as August 1, 2021 "Beyoncé 😭😭😭😭🔥🔥" -snip- Statistics as of Sept. 13, 2021 at 9:51 AM Total # of views – 102 Total # of likes – 5
The Springboks versus the All Blacks is one of sport’s great rivalries. The South Africans beat the ABs in New Zealand in September, and when Siya Kolisi's team attempt to repeat that success in Pretoria this weekend, they'll be supported by traditional AmaGwijo songs. As Lungani Zama reports, it's a sign the Springboks are beginning to finally represent all South Africans....
****
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision - October 24, 2023
[Update] This pancocojams post presents information about amagwijo from a 1981 South African dissertation about Xhosa music.
This post [also] showcases a YouTube video about amaGwijo and provides article excerpts, online definitions, and comments about gwijo (amaGwijo; igwijo) from South African sources.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the Gwijo Squad and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
This post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on gwijos*. Click the gwijos tag below for more pancocojams posts on this subject.
-snip-
*The spelling "gwijos" ['gwijo" with an s" at the end] is an English language plural form of that Xhosa word.".
"AmaGwijo" is the Xhosa plural form for "gwijo"
Although the word "gwijos" is incorrect in isiXhosa, I've seen it used in a number of YouTube discussion thread comments about a particular gwijo or about more than one gwijo. Consequently, I sometimes use the word "gwijos" in pancocojams posts on this subject.
THE MUSIC OF THE XHOSA - SPEAKING PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Deirdre Doris Hansen
A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg,
for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Grahamstown 1981
[…]
"CRAPTER 2
65
The Marching songs iingoma zokuhamba) which identify the various social groups and many of which are called amagwijo ( their words express and emphasize group sentiments and loyalty), are often the result of group composition. At any rate, the members of these groups insist that everyone collab
66
orated in making their ' signature tunes ' What happens is that, when marching to or from a social event, one member of the group ( it may be anyone, but is usually the song manager or song leader which every group has) starts up a melody on any theme.
The other group members then fall in with the chorus, and thus the song pattern is established. The rhyth~ and tempo of the song derive from the rhythm and tempo of the marching men and/or women. Amagwijo and ordinary Marching songs are always topical, and when the subject matter becomes out - of - date, new songs are composed. Words change, while the style and at least the basic patterns of the songs remain the same, as is the case with all the different types of Xhosa songs.
Examples of amagwijo are: Ho! asinankosi thina apha ( , We have no chief here' ), the March song of an umtshotsho group of Mgwali administrative area ( Deberha ), in Engcobo district; and uTel' uyeza ( , We men of Tela are coming' ),
Marching song of Xesibe young men ( iindlavini ) of Xama administrative area, in MaXesibeni district.
Transcriptions of some of the Marching songs appear in chapter 7:453-7, wher the different categories of music are discussed ( cf. also ch.8: 706-8 for addltional transcription )"...
-end of Oct. 24, 2023 update-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/10/excerpts-from-1981dissertation-about.html for a pancocojams post that includes a brief excerpt of that dissertation.
This description of the amagwijo is quite comparable to United States (and other nations) military cadences.
****
WHAT "GWIJO" MEANS
These entries are given in chronological order with the oldest dated definition/comment given first except for comments/replies to sources. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
1.
Gwijo Squad changing the face of South Africa Rugby
TRT World, Oct 3, 2018 Narrator [1:06-1:23] Though the [?] of amagwijo may be new
to the ears of most South African fans, it has been a part of Xhosa culture for
generations. It started from the
struggle and moving on to the sports field and its reemergence in popular
culture has certainly put a smile on a lot of people’s faces”…
Isipho CITY, 2020 "It's song which is meant to unite the people, for them to
know in whatever battle they are facing, they are not alone and to prepare them
mentally for whatever is to come!!!"
In many ways, [Xhanti] Madolo has always been the guy at the
forefront of a wave of change. In high school, he was the rugby cheerleader and
courted trouble at post-1994 Dale College in King William’s Town in the Eastern
Cape for his penchant for igwijo.
“We sang the school songs with pride and vigour, but we
mixed things up with igwijo the year I took over as cheerleader [in 2000],” he
recalls.
“We needed to take the cheering to another level, because
our team was on another level and the culture was changing. We started bringing
in the more popular traditional songs: “Ntombi emnhlotshazana … Yinton’ le
uyenzayo, ayilunganga (Fair-skinned girl, what you’re doing is not right)”. And
we readapted struggle songs, replacing names like Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela
with the first team captain.
“The boys took to it, but the teachers on the other hand had
other opinions. They banned igwijo. I don’t know how many times I have been
called into the headmaster’s [James Haupt] office because of igwijo.
“Then Grey High School [from Port Elizabeth] threatened not
to play against Dale if amagwijo would be sung at rugby matches. They said they
were ‘savage songs’ or something like that. But it was too big a thing, too big
to contain. They couldn’t fight it and it grew into something that is now the
norm in the passages at the school.”...
…."A gwijo is an African chant used to commemorate important
cultural events. It is how black people have traditionally come together to
celebrate, to mourn, to show solidarity and remind each other of the defiant
spirit inherent in all of us"
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: This is my transcription of a brief portion of this televised
discussion (at around 1:46 to around 3:40 of this video). Additions and
corrections are welcome.]
(Interviewer) -"So you're here to tell us about amagwijo. It's more
than what we see in the stadiums, it's a rich tradition. Amigwijo is a Xhosa
tradition. Tell us more about it"
Chulumanco Macingwane (C.M.) [chairman of the Gwijo Squad]:
"The word igwijo is a Xhosa word, but the practice of gwijo, the singing
of these traditional songs that take the form of a leader and respondents is
something that is completely ubiquitous in the country. It exists in every
single one of our cultures which is why it resonates so much with people of all
cultures. Incidentally, I was explaining to some, to some really enthusiastic
White supporters today that when you see a gwijo squad or a group of Black
people singing gwijo, don't assume that everyone speaks the language that they
are singing in. We might be singing in isiXhosa and there might be Venda people
and Sotho people and such but it's because this thing exists in all those
cultures. So whatever language it is being sung in, they, it resonates with
them and they take right with it. Why we felt that if a Venda dude can learn a Xhosa gwijo, it should
not be that much difficult if at all for an Afrikaan say to learn a Xhosa
gwijo. So that's why..."
[Iinterviewer): "It's for everyone."
(C.M.): "We felt that we needed to bring the spirit of
gwijo absolutely to every color, creed, language". Yes.
Interviewer: "So, it's songs to get you through
hardship. Rugby is particularly apt. Those players on the field have a lot of
pressure. But it's the captain Gqoboka who has clicked so effortlessly with the
Gwijo Squad. Tell us about that relationship.".
"The final whistle rings out around Ellis Park stadium in
Johannesburg. It’s June 9, 2018 and the South Africans have resurrected a lost
cause against England, overturning a 24-3 deficit to secure a dramatic and
try-laden 42-39 victory.
But the result is almost immaterial. The match will forever
be remembered as a turning point in the history of South African sport. It was
the first time a black African – Siya Kolisi – captained the Springboks, the
national rugby team named after the leaping antelope on its crest that for so
many people in South Africa is still an emblem of apartheid.
[…].
After completing his post-match media responsibilities,
Kolisi skipped the lap of honor his teammates were undertaking and instead made
a beeline to a cluster of fans gathered on the opposite side of the field.
He came straight to us,” Chulumanco Macingwane, 35, told CNN
Sport. “It was mind-blowing. He came over and it was in that extraordinary
moment that we knew we had started something special.
Macingwane was surrounded by 77 other people who had arrived
at one of world rugby’s great stadiums with a single purpose — to sing
traditional and spiritually significant African songs known as igwijo – as part
of the newly formed Gwijo Squad.
“These are songs that speak to our African roots and reach
deep into our ancestral past,” explained Sibusiso Mjikeliso, South African
journalist, broadcaster and author of “Being a Black Springbok: The Thando
Manana Story.”
“They are songs that have been sung for generations at
coming-of-age initiation rites, weddings, funerals and at times of celebration
and struggle. They are songs of love, of mourning, of challenge and ritual.”
But they were never heard in rugby stadiums, at least not
with this much confidence and so many voices."...
04 November 2019, By Alex Patrick "Captain Siya Kolisi may not have been able to hear them when he ran onto the field with his teammates in Tokyo on Saturday‚ but the rousing singing of the Gwijo Squad back in SA was no doubt reverberating in his heart.
The group‚ who sing traditional Xhosa amaGwijo songs‚ are fast becoming synonymous with SA rugby.
Founded by Johannesburg financial advisor Mzwandile Riba‚ the size of the group [ the Gwijo Squad] varies between 200 and 2‚500‚ depending on the match.
It started off as a small group of friends going to enjoy the rugby together in 2017.
Riba said Gwijo was a word that described the folk singing used to bring groups of people together.
Amagwijo is a particular Xhosa practice of collective
singing deeply embedded in African culture. It takes the form of call and
response (“I say something//You say something I hear you//You hear me. We’re in
dialogue together”). Because Gwijo uses no instruments (other than the voice),
it could be described as a cappella. For the amaXhosa people of South Africa,
Gwijo songs have traditionally been sung to accompany weddings, funerals,
initiations and other rites of passage and sacred moments.
Part of these songs’ potency resides in their being so
cathartic across a range of human emotions: they can express joy, determination
and victory, but also devastation. A Gwijo ‘performance’ can celebrate,
protest, resist or reclaim. Ultimately though, it draws on the power of the
collective to attain a kind of fierce grace, a coming together in intensity.
[…]
THE STADIUM EFFECT OF GWIJO SQUADS
In South Africa, Gwijo is becoming pervasive at sporting
events. It seems to have been born, at least partially, out of an instinct for
harmonising discordant energies in the national history and culture. You see,
sporting events in South Africa have a history of being segregated and racially
charged.
Enter the Gwijo Squad, who turn up to rugby and cricket
events to reclaim a sense of shared ownership and create safety. The Gwijo
effect in stadiums fosters belonging, raises feel-good energy, and, ultimately
imbues the sporting fixture with a sense of communal joy.
Why does it work? All South Africans – whether consciously
or subconsciously – carry the intergenerational trauma of their country’s
recent history. But when South Africans of all stripes experience the electric
co-regulation of Gwijo, the resulting atmospheric shift is irresistible.
[...]
Gwijo is South Africa’s current movement of song and
togetherness. Watch this space.”
Noba bethi ndale published by GwijoSquad, July 5, 2018
[comment]
Siyathandwa Gomo, September 7, 2021 …"I think perhaps other languages do have their own gwijos,
however most gwijos that are well known and
have the best vibe are Xhosa. Some gwijos are struggle songs that were
made during apartheid in prisons and in protests. Some gwijos are songs made by
young Xhosa men while they are in their initiation period and also these gwijos
are sung when they come back. There are alot of sources or inspirations behind
gwijos.
Plural term for gwijos is amagwijo."
**** 10. [Added Sept. 12, 2021] comment exchange from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_2E4UEfUtg&ab_channel=GwijoRSA "Zonke Izono - Chester [FULL VIDEO]😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭" published by Gwijo RSA, May 17, 2021 1. Owami Khubisa, 2021 "I was gonna be here long time but I did not know soccer
songs were called amagwijo 😂😂😂😂"
** Reply Gwijo RSA, 2021 "😹😹😹😹😹"
** Reply Gwijo RSA, 2021 "How did you find us then 😭😹"
** Reply Owami Khubisa, 2021 " @Gwijo
RSA my sister plays soccer and she sent
me the song "Story of my Life" and the cover said Gwijo and I
searched it then BOOM 🔥🔥🔥😎"
