Verse 1
I grew up in Ganyesa, under vast open skies,
Mama taught me hustle, Granny showed the way.
On dusty village streets I learned how to survive,
Daddy walked away, left me alone in the night.
Mma o nthuta bophelo, ke a leboga (Mom taught me life, I’m thankful),
Now I carry their wisdom, chasing dreams into light.
Pre-Chorus
They said we wouldn’t make it, like dreams carved in stone,
But we keep on pushing, ’cause re tla tshela on our own.
No matter how far from home, no matter where we roam,
We rise with the sunrise, our story etched in bone.
(Backup vocals: Oh-oh, oh-oh, rise up!)
Chorus
We rise up from these ashes, never backin’ down,
Siyabonga mama for the strength we found.
Re a atlehile, yeah we made it through the pain,
From Ganyesa to Egoli, hustle runs in our veins.
(Backup: Oh-oh, oh-oh, rise up, ho!)
Black Label on the table when the bottle’s run dry,
Hunger in our minds but we reach for the sky.
Mzansi we thirsty but we drink from our grind,
Township to Egoli, our future’s defined.
(Backup: Oh-oh, oh-oh, our future’s defined)
Verse 2
Went through hell in college, late nights in the zone,
Lean in my cup at dawn, felt like I was all alone.
Poppin’ pills and poppin' bottles, trying to feel alive,
But Mama’s voice brought me back, gave me fire to survive.
She prayed over my madness, lighting hope when I’m down,
Now I say Ngiyabonga, Mama, I’m back and profound.
Pre-Chorus
They said we wouldn’t make it, like dreams carved in stone,
But we keep on pushing, ’cause re tla tshela on our own.
No matter how far from home, no matter where we roam,
We rise with the sunrise, our story etched in bone.
(Backup vocals: Oh-oh, oh-oh, rise up!)
Chorus
We rise up from these ashes, never backin’ down,
Siyabonga mama for the strength we found.
Re a atlehile, yeah we made it through the pain,
From Ganyesa to Egoli, hustle runs in our veins.
(Backup: Oh-oh, oh-oh, rise up, ho!)
Black Label on the table when the bottle’s run dry,
Hunger in our minds but we reach for the sky.
Mzansi we thirsty but we drink from our grind,
Township to Egoli, our future’s defined.
(Backup: Oh-oh, oh-oh, our future’s defined)
Verse 3
In Maglera broad daylight, they snatched every dime,
Left me with empty pockets, out of faith and time.
Headed down to Jozi, city of gold and lights,
Found the fields were barren, nothing in sight.
Black Label on the table when I’m feeling thirsty,
Sippin’ on survival, turning pain into worship.
Even on the hardest nights, I feel the piano vibe,
It carries me forward, gives me strength to survive.
Township to Egoli, re ipitse – reaching for the sky.
Chorus (Final)
We rise up from these ashes, never backin’ down,
Siyabonga mama for the strength we found.
Re a atlehile, yeah we made it through the pain,
From Ganyesa to Egoli, hustle runs in our veins.
(Backup: Oh-oh, oh-oh, rise up, ho!)
Black Label on the table when the bottle’s run dry,
Hunger in our minds but we reach for the sky.
Mzansi we thirsty but we drink from our grind,
Township to Egoli,
