Amandla may refer to:
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Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony is a 2002 documentary film depicting the struggles of black South Africans against the injustices of Apartheid through the use of music. The film takes its name from the Zulu and Xhosa word amandla, which means power.
The film was produced by Sherry Simpson Dean, Desiree Markgraaff and Lee Hirsch. Simpson Dean and Hirsch also produced the film's soundtrack of the same name. The collection of authentic South African "Freedom Songs" was Executive Produced by Dave Matthews and his label ATO Records.
In the film, South African musicians, playwrights, poets and activists recall the struggle against apartheid from the 1940s to the 1990s that stripped black citizens of South Africa of basic human rights, and the important role that music played in that struggle. The documentary uses a mixture of interviews, musical performances and historical film footage. Among the South Africans who take part are Miriam Makeba, Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela, Vusi Mahlasela and others.
Amandla is a Zulu and Xhosa word meaning "power". The word was a popular rallying cry in the days of resistance against Apartheid, used by the African National Congress and its allies. The leader of a group would call out "Amandla!" and the crowd would respond with "Awethu" or "Ngawethu!" (to us), completing the South African version of the rallying cry Power to the People!. The word is still associated with struggles against oppression.
Mandla, which is derived from "amandla", is also a common first name in South Africa. The Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) publishes a magazine by the same name.
The word "Amandla" is also used when people make a bet, deal or promise, they say the word and hold up their hands with their thumbs up.
After Apartheid ended, people have begun to use the rallying cry 'Amandla' to express their grievances against current government policies including those of the ANC. Trade unions still use it at mass meetings and protests.
Amandla is an album by jazz musician Miles Davis, released in 1989. It is the third collaboration between Miles Davis and producer/bassist Marcus Miller, after Tutu (1986) and Music from Siesta (1987), and their final album together. The album mixes elements of the genres go-go, zouk, funk and jazz, combining electronic instruments with live musicians. The composition "Mr. Pastorius", featuring drummer Al Foster, is a tribute to late jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius. "Catémbe" is a Mozambican and Angolan cocktail of red wine and cola.
All tracks were composed by Marcus Miller, except where indicated.
Amandla! is a South African bi-monthly magazine that was launched in 2006. The founders are Mazibuko K. Jara, and Brian Ashley. The magazine is published by the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) and provides coverage and analysis of current political, economic and social processes from a radical left perspective. Coverage is given to issues such as climate change, labour, food sovereignty and national healthcare while adding to debates around South Africa’s social movements and popular organizations. The magazine takes its name from the Zulu word amandla, which means power.
The magazine's articles offer perspectives on alternative strategies to deepen the process of social transformation in South Africa and on the African continent. Issues have included the Eskom electricity crisis in South Africa, critiques of the property taxation system, international news from Thailand and the crisis in Greece.
The magazine is written by, and for activists in political, labour and popular organisations, as well as progressive intellectuals at the universities, in NGOs, parliament, community-based organisations, churches, journalists, lawyers, public officials in state institutions, etc. Contributors thus far have included Noam Chomsky, Jeremy Cronin, Rob Davies, Ronnie Kasrils, Mark Heywood and Joel Netshitenzhe.
Amandla
Playing with fire,
playing with you,
day by day
we create a new everlasting blaze,
a new everlasting blaze.
Playing in bed,
playing with you,
night by night
we create a new everlasting blaze
a new everlasting blaze.
AMANDLA, AMANDLA.
Your house is burning now
AMANDLA AWE TU.
Your house is burning now
and don't worry about it.
You know how deep the night is
to shelter in my arms.
You keep shelter in my arms
You're looking for my joint
You're looking now
You're looking now
And you'll beging to burnt.