Black Is Black
Afro-Dite Lyrics


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The year 1963
The people's president
Was taken away
By security man

All dressed in a uniform of brutality brutality
Oh no ma my my black president
Him and his comrades
Were sentenced to isolation
For many painful years
For many painful years
Many painful years of hard labour

They broke roads but the spirit was never broken
Never broken oh no my
My black president

Ima ima imama haha
Ima ima imama haha
Ima ima i Madiba
Oh baba baba Madiba
A nguye yedwa

Mmm he brorrows
But his spirit was never broken
Never broken owu ho uho my president

Now in 1990
The people's president
Came out from jail
Raised up his hand and said
Viva viva my people

He walked that long road
Back back to freedom
Back to freedom
Freedom for my black president

Let us rejoice for our president
Let us sing for our president
Let us pray for our president
Let us sing let us dance
For Madiba madiba's freedom

We thank you lord
For listening to our prayers
Night and day owu o uwo
My president

Uwo u uwo u
Uwo uwo uwo uwo
Umadiba baba madiba
Baba madiba
Ha uyemu yemu

Usexeleni usexeleni use
We ngqo lomsila
He usobhitsho my black president

Hayi uyajabula (I will die for my president)
Hey hey uMadiba (I will sing for my president)
Hey Madiba (I will stand and say)




Viva viva viva viva viva
Viva my Madiba

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Afro-Dite's song "Black Is Black" tell the story of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president, and his struggle against apartheid. The song begins by mentioning the year 1963, when Mandela, referred to as the "people's president," was taken away by security forces and sentenced to isolation for many years of hard labor.


The lyrics emphasize the brutality and oppression that Mandela and his comrades faced during their imprisonment. Despite this, their spirit remained unbroken, symbolized by the line "They broke roads but the spirit was never broken." The song then shifts to 1990, when Mandela was finally released from jail. The lyrics highlight the joy and celebration that followed his release, with references to singing, dancing, and prayers for Madiba (Mandela's nickname).


The song pays tribute to Mandela's resilience, courage, and leadership, acknowledging him as a symbol of freedom and hope for the people. The repeated chants of "Viva my Madiba" serve as a rallying cry, expressing admiration, support, and gratitude for Mandela's contributions.


Line by Line Meaning

The year 1963
In the year 1963


The people's president
The president who represented the people


Was taken away
Was forcibly removed


By security man
By a man assigned to enforce security


All dressed in a uniform of brutality brutality
Wearing a uniform that symbolizes violence and cruelty


Oh no ma my my black president
Oh no, my beloved black president


Him and his comrades
He and his fellow activists


Were sentenced to isolation
Were punished by being kept in isolation


For many painful years
For a long period of time filled with suffering


Many painful years of hard labour
Enduring years of difficult and arduous work


They broke roads but the spirit was never broken
They physically labored on constructing roads, but their determination and resilience remained unshaken


Never broken oh no my
Never shattered, oh no, my


My black president
My president who represents the black community


Ima ima imama haha
Expressing joy and excitement


Ima ima imama haha
Expressing joy and excitement


Ima ima i Madiba
Referring to Nelson Mandela, a respected leader


Oh baba baba Madiba
Oh father, father Madiba


A nguye yedwa
He is the only one


Mmm he borrows
He has borrowed time


But his spirit was never broken
But his determination and resilience remained unshaken


Never broken owu ho uho my president
Never shattered, oh my president


Now in 1990
Now, in the year 1990


The people's president
The president who represented the people


Came out from jail
Was released from prison


Raised up his hand and said
Raised his hand as a sign of victory and spoke


Viva viva my people
Long live, long live my people


He walked that long road
He embarked on that arduous journey


Back back to freedom
Towards the path of liberation


Back to freedom
To a state of liberation


Freedom for my black president
The achievement of freedom for my president who represents the black community


Let us rejoice for our president
Let us celebrate and be joyful for our president


Let us sing for our president
Let us express our admiration through song for our president


Let us pray for our president
Let us offer our prayers and blessings for our president


Let us sing let us dance
Let us celebrate through song and dance


For Madiba madiba's freedom
For Nelson Mandela's freedom and liberation


We thank you lord
We express our gratitude to the divine


For listening to our prayers
For hearing and answering our prayers


Night and day owu o uwo
Throughout the day and night, oh


My president
Referring to the president


Uwo u uwo u
Expressing joy and excitement


Uwo uwo uwo uwo
Expressing joy and excitement


Umadiba baba madiba
You are Madiba, father Madiba


Baba madiba
Father Madiba


Ha uyemu yemu
Let us celebrate and be joyful


Usexeleni usexeleni use
Move forward, move forward, move


We ngqo lomsila
Toward the end of this path


He usobhitsho my black president
He has emerged, my black president


Hayi uyajabula
Yes, he is delighted


Hey hey uMadiba
Hey hey, Madiba


Hey Madiba
Hey, Madiba


Viva viva viva viva viva
Long live, long live, long live, long live, long live


Viva my Madiba
Long live, my Madiba




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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