Here is how Tanner remade a South African classic with new lyrics and energy, blending nostalgia with creativity.
South Africa (28 August 2025) – South African musician Tanner Wareham is breathing new life into one of the country’s most beloved songs, Shosholoza. Known for his playful approach to music, Tanner recently released a video where he remixes the classic, adding a modern beat and weaving in his own original verses.
We all know the song, but just in case you don’t, it’s a traditional South African song about a steam train used by migrant workers in the mines. It serves as a song of hope, encouragement, and solidarity, where “Shosholoza!” means “go forward” or “make way”.
With Tanner’s remix, at first, the track feels familiar. The same soulful tones that have made Shosholoza a favourite at gatherings for decades. But as the song unfolds, Tanner layers in new rhythms and lyrics, giving the piece a contemporary lift. His verses, carrying themes of hope and resilience, bring a fresh perspective while keeping the essence of the original intact.
Lines like “Oh like a train that runs right through the dark / whose spirit enters is every heart… we will win every fight” capture a sense of togetherness and determination, reimagined through his personal lens. The result is both nostalgic and refreshing. Balancing between honouring the past and experimenting with the present.
Tanner joked in his caption that he would “keep wrecking South African classics” with more remakes, and if this rendition is anything to go by, listeners will likely be asking for more.
His approach stands out because he treats music as a shared experience, not just as sound. Something that connects people across generations. By remixing a timeless favourite, he invites South Africans to hear it differently, to sing along with something old yet entirely new.
It’s a playful reinvention, reminding us of how classics can live on. Not only in memory, but also in the creative hands of a new generation.
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