Japanese Singers Impress Cyril Ramaphosa With ‘Wahambanathi’ in isiZulu and Shona in TikTok Video

• A video on TikTok of Japanese performers putting on a show for President Cyril Ramaphosa went viral on social media
• The singers from Japan performed a song in African languages, and they went viral for their vocal performance
• Online users had a lot to say as the Japanese singers included languages from different African countries while singing to the South African president

President Ramaphosa was treated to a song by some Japanese nationals. The TikTok video is of the singers putting on a show in an effort to welcome South Africa's president.

The video of the Japanese man and woman singing went viral. South Africans had a lot to say about the Japanese singers who included languages outside of South Africa.

In a video shared by @athigeleba that went viral, President Cyril Ramaphosa attended the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Summit in Yokohama, and they welcomed him with a familiar song. Two Japanese singers sang Wahambanathi flawlessly in isiZulu. The video went viral as the singers went on to sing the verse in isiZulu and then Shona, all translating the lyrics into the respective languages. Cyril Ramaphosa looked delighted by the vocal performance, as he was beaming at the singers during their performance.

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South Africa discusses Japanese singing in isiZulu

Many people really enjoyed their rendition that the Japanese singers did. Netizens were gushing that the hosts of the event went the extra mile with the performance. Some netizens questioned the inclusion of Shona, while others argued that it was a thoughtful gesture to include other African languages. Online users pointed out the linguistic similarity between Japanese and Shona. Many felt the moment proved that Africans are considered one by foreigners. Watch the video of the Japanese singers' performance and read people's comments below:

@SikhululeNDGN was impressed by the singers:

“They sang so beautifully and they're in sync 😊 🇿🇦❤️🇯🇵 “

@Spectator64631 was touched by the show:

“To them we are just black, not Zulu, not Shona, not Venda, just black. On the ground, we call each other kwerekwere, sell each other out, kill, burn, hate, all of it. We’re the worst.”

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@daddydeeonline added:

“They were just telling us we are one people.”

@Mjudana gushed:

“Really nice rendition, beautifully done👌”

@justicecali shared thoughts on the criticism:

“But that song includes Zulu, and Ramaphosa speaks and understands Zulu."

@tapiwa4 claimed:

“Japanese envoys in Zim give speeches in Shona coz the two languages are so similarly structured.”

@Blessing_Museki remarked:

“Should be easy for the Japanese to sing in Shona - between the two languages, some pronunciations are almost exact.”

Other Briefly News about foreigners singing SA songs

• A French woman delivered her rendition of a local song in isiZulu, and people were impressed by her pronunciation.
• Mzansi was impressed by a Canadian woman who shared her vocal performance in isiXhosa.
• Springboks player Jesse Kriel went viral after he joined in singing an isiXhosa gwijo alongside SIya Kolisi.
• Tanzanians went viral after they sang a song by beloved South African singer, Zahara.

Source: Briefly News