(Solo
female
voice,
unaccompanied,
soft
and
resonant)
We
remember
those
who
came
before,
Women
who
opened
freedom’
s
door.
From
nineteen
fifty-six
until
today,
Their
courage
lights
our
way.
Their
struggle
lives,
their
fire
burns,
The
road
continues —
it’
s
our
turn. (
Gentle
handclaps
begin.
Women’
s
voices
slowly
join.)
LEAD:
Sisters,
join
me! (
Call
and
response,
rhythmic,
warm
and
powerful)
LEAD:
WAM!
WAM!
We
rise
together!
ALL:
WAM!
WAM!
We
rise
together!
LEAD:
WAM!
WAM!
Simanyene
sonke!
ALL:
WAM!
WAM!
Simanyene
sonke!
LEAD:
WAM!
WAM!
Ons
staan
saam!
ALL:
WAM!
WAM!
Ons
staan
saam!
LEAD:
WAM!
WAM!
Now
and
forever!
ALL:
WAM!
WAM!
Now
and
forever!
LEAD:
Their
struggle
lives,
their
fire
burns!
ALL:
The
road
continues —
it’
s
our
turn! (
Second
verse —
lead
vocalist,
steady
marching
rhythm)
Different
voices,
one
demand,
Justice
and
dignity
across
our
land.
Women
before
us
carried
the
flame,
Today
we
rise
and
carry
their
name.
Through
every
village,
every
street,
We
hear
the
rhythm
of
their
feet.
Their
courage
lives
in
all
we
do,
Their
unfinished
work
belongs
to
us
too. (
Chorus
repeats —
stronger,
with
more
voices)
LEAD:
WAM!
WAM!
We
rise
together!
ALL:
WAM!
WAM!
We
rise
together!
LEAD:
WAM!
WAM!
Simanyene
sonke!
ALL:
WAM!
WAM!
Simanyene
sonke!
LEAD:
WAM!
WAM!
Ons
staan
saam!
ALL:
WAM!
WAM!
Ons
staan
saam!
LEAD:
WAM!
WAM!
Now
and
forever!
ALL:
WAM!
WAM!
Now
and
forever! (
Bridge —
voices
build,
handclaps
stronger)
LEAD:
Who
carried
the
struggle?
ALL:
WE
CARRIED
THE
STRUGGLE!
LEAD:
Who
carries
it
now?
ALL:
WE
CARRY
IT
NOW!
LEAD:
Who
builds
tomorrow?
ALL:
WE
BUILD
IT
TOGETHER!
LEAD:
WAM,
are
you
ready?
ALL:
WAM
IS
READY! (
Final
declaration —
spoken
chant,
powerful,
all
women
together)
LEAD:
MALIBONGWE!
ALL:
MALIBONGWE!
LEAD:
WATHINT’
ABAFAZI!
ALL:
WATHINT’
ABAFAZI,
WATHINT’
IMBOKODO!
LEAD:
AMANDLA!
ALL:
AWETHU! (
Pause —
lead
alone,
strong)
LEAD:
ALUTA!
ALL:
CONTINUA!
LEAD:
ALUTA!
ALL:
CONTINUA!
LEAD:
ALUTA!
ALL:
CONTINUA! (
Final
call —
voices
rise)
LEAD:
PHAMBILI
NKOSIKAZI!
ALL:
PHAMBILI!
LEAD:
PHAMBILI
NKOSIKAZI!
ALL:
PHAMBILI!
ALL:
PHAMBILI!
PHAMBILI! (
End
with
strong
unified
voices,
no
fade-out.)