Wits University graduation songs

Wits kudu mascots on graduation day

Alma Mater

Nourishing Mother

During the graduation ceremony, tribute is paid to the University and to graduands with the singing of Alma Mater and Ihele

Alma Mater Stans in monte Alma Mater Ubi alba fluit aqua, Omnes doces nos virtutes, Artes et Scientam; Digni simus aula tua, Fortiter et recte stemus, Una voce te canamus Tui nos discipuli. Dure laborabimus, Semper te amabimus, Crede Alma, crede, Mater, Nobis concinentibus.

Bountiful Mother Standing on the mountain, kind Mother; Where the water of good fortune is flowing; You teach us all the virtues, The Arts and Science; May we be worthy of your princely dignity; Let us stand powerfully and upright; Let us celebrate you in song unanimously; We, your scholars; We shall toil relentlessly/rigorously; We shall always delight in/love you; Have faith, kind Mother, have faiti In us, harmoniously singing your praises.

S.B.P Mnomiya, who wrote Ihele (also known as the ‘black’ Gaudeamus Igitur - Let Us Rejoice) uses poetic language to describe a graduation ceremony. The soloist sings of the ‘strange’ procession of people in long robes and head gear. The choir responds by saying that these people are academics who read profound books of knowledge. Mnomiya goes on to say that the graduands are an inspiration to all of us, and we will graduate like them one day. The song goes on to wish the graduates well and it ends with a resounding “halala” (well done!).

Ihele

The Procession

Anhom Falalala Obani labo? Baphi? Ahhom?

Ngibona beza Beyikazela Bathwel’ongiyane Bavela kuphi na? Obani labo? Ongqondongqondo Osibakhulu Yibo labo hhom! Yini na leyo? Ihele Ihele lezingwazi zakithi Ahhom udwendwe Ahhom Udwendwe lwezingqwele zakithi Nant’ ihele Longqondongqondo Nant’ ihele Losibakhulu Udwendwe Udwendwe lwezingqwele zakithi

Who are those? Which, Falalala?

I see them coming; Walking with swinging garments; They are wearing head rings; Where do they come from? Who are those? They are people with knowledge; They are people in authority; These are the ones; What is that? It is a procession; A procession of our heroes

It is a procession; A procession of our champions; Here is a procession of people of knowledge; Here is a procession of people of knowledge; A procession; A procession of our heroes