Thoko Ea Tlhōlo (1991 recording)

At 122 bars and several changes of key and time signature, Mohapeloa sets the benchmark in Thoko Ea Tlhōlo (published 1947)  for a new kind of multi-sectional competition song in southern Africa. The text celebrates a recent victory over a great enemy – a reference to World War II – and the hope of freedom this gives to nations in ‘the land of Africa’. The Manzini Adult Choir, Swaziland (conductor not specified) sings it on a live recording made by the SABC in December 1991 during the Old Mutual Festival at the Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg. This historic recording was re-issued by ACE in 2014 as Track 29 on the CD African Choral Legacy: Historic Recordings of Joshua Pulumo Mohapeloa.