TikTok Video of 2 Afrikaans People Singing in isiXhosa Gets 2M Views, Xhosa Peeps Applaud

• One man and woman went viral after singing in isiXhosa in a TikTok viral video that got lots of attention
• The two singers in the video were not isiXhosa speakers, and they tried their best to do the Xhosa traditional collective singing
• The Afrikaans speakers' take on igwijo was a viral hit, and Nelson Mandela University (NMMU) isiXhosa PhD holder Dr Andiswa Mvanyas discussed the significance of the Xhosa tradition

People were thoroughly amused by Afrikaans speakers who decided to sing in isiXhosa. Online users were amused by their attempt at singing in isiXhosa.

The video of the couple got more than 200,000 likes, and NMMU IsiXhosa lecturer Dr Andiswa Mvanyashe discussed the origins of igwijo. Thousands of comments flooded from people who wanted to share their thoughts about the performance.

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Couple's isiXhosa singing is a hit

@bigjoans posted a video of themselves singing gwijo, a type of collective singing at events done by Xhosa people, in this case, for the Springboks' RWC 2023 journey. Their video was a viral hit as the Afrikaans speakers did their best to pronounce isiXhosa words.

Watch the clip below:

isiXhosa academic explains igwijo

isiXhosa Language practitioner and NMMU lecturer with over seven years of experience, Dr Andiswa Mvanyashe, spoke to Briefly News and described igwijo as "a style of call and response" done in acapella style. She said:

"Igwijo is historically significant in IsiXhosa culture. It has been utilised to express oneself during significant rites, celebrations, and gatherings."

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She explained that now the traditional igwijo songs are easily learned on social media. Andiswa told Briefly News:

"The new generation may learn about Igwijo through social media platforms such as Youtube, TikTok, and Facebook, among others being performed by schoolchildren and young men in the sports games:

Xhosa peeps impressed by gwijo

Many people commented that they were impressed by how much the man and woman tried to nail the pronunciation for igwjo. Netizens cracked jokes about the wholesome rendition of gwijo that the pair learned to support the Springboks.

Shabalala Basjeke Njabulo was pleased:

"Let's unite like this even after world cup."

LuxBillie said:

"Fixing our country one gwijo at a time."

It's_Sergio joked:

"The guy is me in every gwijo song."

Rhibela commented:

"I'm giving you guys Xhosa names Nomthandazo and Simphiwe. You guys must attend Imigidi in the Eastern Cape to learn more wijo songs."

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Lynette Musa Mgwaba wrote:

"Ngiyanithanda nina true reflection of SOUTH AFRICA."

VIII added:

"At this point, the Springboks need to play every weekend."

Pandorah laughed:

"The husband with the props, eyes closed just following igwijo."

Diversity in South Africa warms hearts

Many people like to see others embrace different cultures. In this video that was a viral hit, two little girls learned how to speak and isiNdebele from their nanny.

Young man sings amapiano hit

Briefly News previously reported that a white South African has gone viral on Mzansi social media for enjoying amapiano. The young man, who TikTok users identified as De Wet Spies, was partying with friends at Padstal in Pretoria when Semi Tee’s Labantwana Ama Uber started playing.

Spies not only danced to the amapiano song, but he sang along, knowing the lyrics seemingly by heart. The video of his performance was shared on TikTok by @papii_lee on January 10.

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The clip gathered over 246,000 views at the time of publication, and South Africans fell in love with Spies. Mzansi TikTok users applauded him for embracing music typically enjoyed by African cultures in SA.

Source: Briefly News