“A life-changing experience!”
THULA SIZWE: The Group Zulu from South Africa
Thula Sizwe sings; the audience is breathless.
Thula Sizwe dances; onlookers come alive.
With songs that hail from a time when South Africa was on the world stage and peace and freedom hung in the balance, this ten-man group from Soshanguve offers American audiences an authentic snapshot of traditional Zulu culture…
and a reason to hope for the future of our world.
LISTEN>>>
Thula Sizwe’s Story
“Be still — listen to what the world is saying.”
Thula Sizwe was born from a love of music, a pride in culture, and a need for expression. Conceived in 1984, the group unofficially formed when Paul Ramafalo recruited Shadrack Mgiba, Alfred Letsoalo, Jonathan Mabuya, and Nicholas Lenkwati in efforts to assemble a singing group. At the time, they were all in high school and conditions were very difficult for Black South Africans. Amid the oppressive policies of Apartheid, a state of emergency declared by the White minority government prohibited Black South Africans from gathering; singing in public was strictly prohibited. Police and soldiers were placed in schools to enforce the law. However, Paul and his friends appealed to the school principal, and together they convinced the police and military to allow them to sing for no more than 30 minutes after school each day.
The group became well-known in their township, and in 1988, Jabulani Abel Dlamini heard the young men singing. Abel — who is a descendant of generations of Zulu musicians — saw the tremendous potential in the young men and offered to teach the group what be had learned from his ancestors, effectively becoming the group’s leader. He put his talents to work writing music and choreographing songs based on the ancient Zulu tradition where warriors danced and sang to prepare for battle. Others joined the group’s ranks, and the men came together when they could to sing and dance as a means of dealing with the social and political oppression they faced daily.
When Apartheid ended and Nelson Mandela became president in 1994, Thula Sizwe was called upon by the government to be cultural ambassadors for the “new” South Africa — the “Rainbow Nation,” as Desmund Tutu called it. The group has traveled to many countries around the world sharing Zulu culture and promoting goodwill and peace. While performers have come and gone over the years, several of the founding members continue to sing with the group today, and Abel still serves as the group’s leader.
There has been progress in South Africa since the end of Apartheid, but living conditions remain very difficult today, with unemployment over 30%. Most of the men of Thula Sizwe do not have running water in their homes and live with extended families in small, crowded houses. In spite of this, they are a hopeful and joyous ensemble spreading a message of peace and harmony wherever they go. The income from their US tour is essential for the men, their families, and others in the community. We sincerely appreciate your support and welcome any opportunity to help the men of Thula Sizwe share their talents and their stories.
PERFORMANCE HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
1992: Ceremony to welcome home Nelson Mandela, following his release from prison
1992: Worked with Paul Simon during his Graceland tour in Johannesburg
1993: Requiem at the funeral of Chris Hani, a South African freedom fighter
1994: Concert in Libreville, Gabon at the invitation of the South African Embassy
1994: Inauguration of President Nelson Mandela
1997: Concert for L’Association Dionysienne de Promotion Economique, France
2001: South Africa Television programs, Noot vir Noot and Draadloos
2001: South Africa Airlines tourism video, “No Place Like Home!”
2007: Zebra! A Brief Musical History of South Africa – concert with the Mixed Flock 2008: World AIDS Day commemoration by Johnson & Johnson, USA
CONCERT TOURS
USA (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012)
Australia (2006)Ghana (1994, 1996)
Belgium (2003)
Central African Republic (1996)
China (1998)
Congo (1996)
Germany (2005)
Great Britain (2002, 2003)
Hungary (2000)
Israel (1997)
Jordan & Palestine (1997)
The Netherlands (1998, 2003)
New Zealand (2000)
Russia (1998)
Thailand (1998)
Turkey (1998)
WATCH PERFORMANCE EXCERPTS!!
RECORDINGS
Thula Sizwe’s 2025 US tour marks the group’s first reunion and tour since the COVID pandemic. To learn more, contact us at info@pittsburghyouthchorus.org.
