The real meaning of Jerusalema

Jerusalema, a supplication song by Master Kgaogelo Moagi (KG), pictured, and Nomcebo Zikode, has brought people around the globe together. Businesses, professionals, families and even school students are taking to the open-air platforms to perform the Jerusalema Challenge.

Amid the ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, people are sharing skilful videos on social media of themselves dancing to the Zulu gospel praise song. The lyrics, written in the form of a prayer, speaks to the desire of having a home where one can find peace.

The dance challenge has also made its way onto the streets of occupied East Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s subjugated Palestinian community in the Old City created their own exceptional version of the Jerusalema dance.

According to the Palestinians, the lyrics of the song echoes well with their good fight against the brutal Israeli occupation of their land, homes, farms and religious sites. Millions of Palestinians around the globe are longing to return to their homeI land and to al-Quds (Jerusalem) and also to freely pray in the al-Aqsa mosque.

The lyrics written in isiZulu really touch and console the heart. The appeal to God, to be taken back home, to be protected, to be guided, resonates with yearnings that most human beings desire.

KG brilliantly crafted the gospel supplication with profound words – lines that gives a voice to the voiceless, homeless and oppressed.

Mohamed Saeed