Mtukudzi released his debut single, "Stop After Orange," in 1975. Two years later, he began performing with the Wagon Wheels, a group who also featured Thomas Mapfumo. By 1979, he had left to pursue a solo career. Taking several of the band's musicians with him, he formed a new group, the Black Spirits. Their debut single, "Dzandimomotera," sold enough copies to qualify for gold record status. As a solo artist, Mtukudzi had his first successes shortly after Zimbabwe declared its independence in 1980. His debut solo album, Africa, included two hits: "Zimbabwe" and "Mazongonyedze." Mtukudzi has consistently balanced his musical career with his passion for film and drama. In addition to appearing in several documentaries on Zimbabwean music, including the BBC-produced Under African Skies and The Soul of the Mbira, he starred in Jit, the first film featuring an all-Zimbabwean cast. He also played a prominent role in, as well as composed and arranged the soundtrack for, Zimbabwe's second film, Neria. His work earned him a M'Net award for Best Soundtrack of 1992. Mtukudzi subsequently wrote and directed the musical production Was My Child (Plight of Street Children). With the accompaniment of the Black Spirits or the 12-piece supergroup Mahube, Mtukuduzi continued to tour and record.
The album Mahube was released in October 1998. The album Tuku Music, spent 11 weeks at the top of the CMJ New World Music charts. After the album's release, Mutukudzi toured the United States and Canada, along with Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabate and Baaba Maal, as part of Africa FĆŖte 1999. The album Paivepo reached the top position on Zimbabwe's music charts the first week after its release in November 1999.
Ndima Ndapedza
Oliver Mtukudzi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ingawani ndasakura ndazunza imi
Pangu pese ndasakura ndazundza
Ndima yese ndasakura ndazundza
Pasarire ndikufuga nekuwarira
Chapenyu kufuga nekuwarira
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Pangu pese ndasakura ndazundza
Ingawani ndasakura ndazunza imi
Pangu pese ndasakura ndazundza
Ndima yese ndasakura ndapedza
Zwasarire ndikufuga nekuwarira
Chapenyu kufuga nekuwarira
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Kunukunira mumoyo rwendo
(Vumira moyo rwendo rwega)
Kunukunira mumoyo rwendo
(Vumira moyo rwendo rwega)
Kunukunira mumoyo rwendo
(Vumira moyo rwendo rwega)
Kunukunira mumoyo rwendo
(Vumira moyo rwendo rwega)
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe iwe
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
The lyrics of Oliver Mtukudzi's song Ndima Ndapedza are sung in Shona, one of the official languages of Zimbabwe. The first verse talks about a person who has gone through many trials and tribulations and has survived them all. They have been stepped on and crushed many times, but they have managed to rise above it all. The second verse talks about how some people will always find fault in others no matter what they do, and no matter how hard they try. The singer is saying that these people should not hold others back and should not bring them down.
The chorus of the song is centered around the phrase "zwimwe azwivundzwe" which means "let some do what they want." The singer is saying that people should be allowed to live their lives as they see fit, and that they should not be judged or criticized for their choices. The last verse of the song talks about the importance of keeping hope alive, no matter how difficult things get. The singer encourages listeners to hold onto hope, even when life seems unbearable.
Overall, Ndima Ndapedza is a song about resilience, perseverance, and hope. The singer encourages listeners to keep pushing forward and not to let others bring them down. The message of the song is a powerful one, and it resonates with people all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Pangu pese ndasakura ndazundza
Everywhere I have looked, I have looked for love
Ingawani ndasakura ndazunza imi
I have looked for it in many places, even in you
Ndima yese ndasakura ndazundza
In all things I have searched for it
Pasarire ndikufuga nekuwarira
I have struggled and toiled to find comfort in you
Chapenyu kufuga nekuwarira
Life is all about struggling and toiling for comfort
Zwimwe azwivundzwe
Some things can be broken
Zwimwe azwivundzwe iwe
Some things that can be broken are you
Zwimwe azwizundzwe
Some things can be fixed
Zwimwe azwizundzwe iwe
Some things that can be fixed are you
Ndima yese ndasakura ndapedza
I have searched for love in all things and I am done
Zwasarire ndikufuga nekuwarira
I have struggled and toiled for comfort, but I am tired
Kunukunira mumoyo rwendo
To travel and explore my heart
(Vumira moyo rwendo rwega)
(Breathe in the journey all alone)
Lyrics Ā© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Oliver Mtukudzi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Saxton
on Ziwere
Iām Shona and these lyrics are totally wrong. This song has no reference to intimacy. Tiki never sang along those lines
MuLUMICHIMPI MUYANDA
on Raki
you miss leading people about the meaning of the song raki..... Oliver was wandering how lucky some are and where luck comes from and who gives luck basically... not about the traditional beer no no!
Masibae Shumbaress
on Nyanga Yenzou (Munoshusha)
Lol the person who translated this is definitely not native. FYI Zim used to use English money (ma Pondo) pounds prior to independence. Basically the singer (a son-in-law) who paid bride price in full is complaining that his Father-in-law (tezvara) keeps trying to extort him (Nyanga ye nzou and chipembere, elephant tusk and rhino horn respectively are illegal so how can the son-in-law meet the unreasonable demands?)
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
I'm afraid the translation is off by quite a margin. This song is about being famous and the consequences of fame. He basically implies that if he had known the consequences of being famous he might not have pursued the career he pursued. He speaks of how God gave some talents or gifts that allow them to enjoy success peacefully. He likens fame to "hurimbo", a sticky substance used to trap birds. He also, in the first verse uses the metaphor of an owl, saying "If I'd recognized an owl while it was still a chick, I would have said 'No way', because rearing it has consequences." Owls are viewed as bad omens, creatures used in witchcraft, bad luck like a black cat. So yeah, the translation is way off.
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
Fame is a trap
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
I would have said no in the first place
Ransom M
on Mbiri hurimbo
Some you gave gifts, gifts with no fame
Tman
on Mbiri hurimbo
Any one can give the meaning of Jehova une Masimba
Juliet David
on Hakuna Zita
Lots of love from Port Harcourt Nigeria. I love his all his music too much
Kalala
on Vachakunonokera
Great song , especially the jazz kick