Honai ruva reChitekete chaamai nababa pari zvino vatadza kurara nekufunga iwe, Chitekete
Honai ruva reChitekete chamai nababa pari zvino vatadza kurara nekufunga iwe, Chitekete
Honai ruva reChitekete watondipa musengwa handichakwanisa kufunga kana kurara
Honai ruva reChitekete watondipa musengwa handichakwanisa kufunga kana kurara
Pauri pane dandemutande pane tsotso rinobaya zvandisina shangu ndokutoraseiko?
Pauri pane dandemutande pane tsotso rinobaya zvandisina shangu ndokutoraseiko?
Ndashaya maitiro, ndashaya madhonzero, ndashaya chandingakupe kuti ndive newe
Ndashaya maitiro, ndashaya madhonzero, ndashaya chandingakupe kuti ndive newe
Honai ruva reChitekete chaamai nababa pari zvino vatadza kurara nekufunga iwe, Chitekete
Honai ruva reChitekete chamai nababa pari zvino vatadza kurara nekufunga iwe, Chitekete

Honai ruva reChitekete watondipa musengwa handichakwanisa kufunga kana kurara
Honai ruva reChitekete watondipa musengwa handichakwanisa kufunga kana kurara
Pauri pane dandemutande pane tsotso rinobaya zvandisina shangu ndokutoraseiko?
Pauri pane dandemutande pane tsotso rinobaya zvandisina shangu ndokutoraseiko?
Ndashaya maitiro, ndashaya madhonzero, ndashaya chandingakupe kuti ndive newe
Ndashaya maitiro, ndashaya madhonzero, ndashaya chandingakupe kuti ndive newe
Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba kuti ave wangu?
Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba kuti ave wangu?
Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba mwana uya ndinomuda?
Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba mwana uya ndinomuda?
Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba kuti ndimuroore?
Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba kuti ndimuroore?
Ave muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Ave muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Ave muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Kudzai muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Kudzai muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Kudzai muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Kudzai muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Kudzai muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Kudzai muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Kudzai muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Kudzai muroora wamai
Azvare vakanaka mangwana
Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba kuti ndimuroore?
Majerasi anyanya, shuwa anyanya
Majerasi anyanya, shuwa anyanya
Majerasi anyanya, shuwa manyanya
Majerasi anyanya, shuwa anyanya
Majerasi anyanya, shuwa anyanya
Majerasi anyanya, shuwa anyanya
Majerasi anyanya, shuwa anyanya
Majerasi anyanya, shuwa anyanya
Majerasi anyanya
Ndomuroora seiko?
Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba kuti ave wangu?
Majerasi anyanya shuwa anyanya
Majerasi anyanya shuwa anyanya
Majerasi anyanya shuwa anyanya

Overall Meaning

The song "Chitekete" by Leonard Dembo & The Barura Express seems to be a love song expressing the singer's feelings towards their loved one, who they refer to as Chitekete. The first two stanzas talk about how the singer cannot sleep or stop thinking of their beloved Chitekete, and how they have lost their ability to think and speak properly. The third and fourth stanzas address a situation involving a broken piece of equipment, possibly a radio or television, and the singer's frustration at not being able to fix it without help. The repeated "ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba" seems to be a question about where to find the strength or courage to face certain situations, specifically related to their beloved. The final stanzas seem to be a plea for Chitekete to marry the singer or to come back to them.

The lyrics of the song are open to various interpretations; however, the use of the Shona language, the repetitive melody, and catchy chorus make this a popular and well-loved song in Zimbabwe and beyond, especially in the genre of sungura music. Many people appreciate the skillful guitar playing and unique vocal style of Leonard Dembo, who was a prolific singer-songwriter until his passing in 1996.

Line by Line Meaning

Honai ruva reChitekete chaamai nababa pari zvino vatadza kurara nekufunga iwe, Chitekete
Look at the red soil of Chitekete, mom and dad are struggling to sleep and think of you, Chitekete

Honai ruva reChitekete watondipa musengwa handichakwanisa kufunga kana kurara
Look at the red soil of Chitekete, it gives me a headache, I can't think or sleep

Pauri pane dandemutande pane tsotso rinobaya zvandisina shangu ndokutoraseiko?
In the village there is a radio, but why does it play a song that doesn't soothe me?

Ndashaya maitiro, ndashaya madhonzero, ndashaya chandingakupe kuti ndive newe
I have lost my skills, I have lost my senses, I have lost the desire to be with you

Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba kuti ave wangu?
Ohoo oh, where is the courage for my love to come to me?

Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba mwana uya ndinomuda?
Ohoo oh, where is the courage for this child that I love?

Ohoo oh ndoriwanepiko simba kuti ndimuroore?
Ohoo oh, where is the courage for me to take her as my wife?

Ave muroora wamai, muroora wamai
She is the wife of my mother, mother's wife

Kudzai muroora wamai, muroora wamai
Come closer, mother's wife

Azvare vakanaka mangwana
Things will be good tomorrow

Majerasi anyanya, shuwa anyanya
Young guys, very young

Ndomuroora seiko?
Why should I marry?

Majerasi anyanya shuwa anyanya
Young guys, very young

Majerasi anyanya shuwa manyanya
Young guys, very many

Majerasi anyanya shuwa anyanya
Young guys, very young

Majerasi anyanya
Young guys