Amaswazi Emvolo were the sound of Soweto under apartheid - pulsating townsh… Read Full Bio ↴Amaswazi Emvolo were the sound of Soweto under apartheid - pulsating township jive with a heavy bouncing bassline and ringing guitars. Formed in the early 1970s they came to Western attention on the compilation LP "The Indestructible Beat Of Soweto" with the song Thul'ulalele. Along with Abafana Busequdeni and Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens they represent the golden age of South African pop.

'60s Africa found the Zulu and Sotho beginning to incorporate the influences of African American R&B, jazz, and blues into their traditional, indigenous music. New styles such as township jazz, pennywhistle street music, Kwela, and marabi were formed. Eventually, these myriad styles coalesced to create a new hybrid pop music that came to be known as mbaqanga. Though mbaqanga employs the traditional instrumentation of Western pop (guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals), the approach to song structure and rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrasing is uniquely African.

Recorded between 1981 and 1984, THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT OF SOWETO is the first (and arguably the best) of a slew of South African pop recordings that soon followed. Characterized by insistent, rhythmically complex beats, elastic, burbling basslines, tight, ska-sounding guitar accompaniment, and thick, multi-part vocals, this music is as intriguing as it is appealing. Groups with such names as Udokotela Shange Namajaha and Amaswazi Emvelo serve up bright, infectious melodies and percussively insistent tracks that are clearly intended for dancing. Though this "pop" may at first seem strange to Western ears, repeated listens reveal its true nature: rich, individual, joyous, and simply wonderful music.

Utshwala Begazati
Amaswazi Emvelo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Utshwala begazati
Utshwala begazati
Utshwala baxabanis'abantu bethandana
Lendaba ngiyayesaba madoda

Utshwala begazati
Utshwala begazati
Utshwala baxabanis'abantu bethandana

Lendaba ngiyayesaba madoda

Ngabon'emadod'amabili
Ehlezi phansi kwesihlahla
Ephuz'utshwala
Baphel'utshwala
Yasuk'indaba

Ngabon'emadod'amabili
Ehlezi phansi kwesihlahla
Ephuz'utshwala
Baphel'utshwala
Yasuk'indaba

Wath'omunye komunye
Awungikhahlele ngosheleni
Wath'omunye komunye
Awungikhahlele ngosheleni
Ngiyotheng'ukhamba
Ngiyotheng'ukhamba
Ngomile

Wath'omunye komunye
Awungikhahlele ngosheleni
Wath'omunye komunye
Awungikhahlele ngosheleni
Ngiyotheng'ukhamba
Ngiyotheng'ukhamba
Ngomile

Weh Ben awungitshele
Awukhulum'iqiniso
Awungitshele wamulumelan'uMkhiz'esandleni
Maye indod'iyabuthand'utshwala

Weh Ben awungitshele
Awukhulum'iqiniso
Awungitshele wamulumelan'uMkhiz'esandleni
Maye indod'iyabuthand'utshwala

Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm
Lendaba ngiyayesaba madoda

Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm
Lendaba ishayisa uvalo

Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm
Lendaba ishayisa uvalo

Utshwala begazati
Utshwala begazati
Utshwala baxabanis'abantu bethandana
Lendaba ngiyayesaba madoda

Utshwala begazati
Utshwala begazati
Utshwala baxabanis'abantu bethandana
Lendaba ngiyayesaba madoda

Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm, yeh mm
Yeh mm, yeh mm

Yeh mm
Lendaba ngiyayesaba madoda

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Amaswazi Emvelo's song Utshwala Begazati talk about the fear of the negative effects of alcohol on individuals and relationships. The lyrics repeat the phrase "Utshwala begazati," which means "alcohol is a dangerous thing." The singer expresses concern for people who are in love and drinking together, saying that they should be careful because alcohol can lead to negative consequences. The singer also observes two men drinking and worries that they will get into trouble because of their alcohol consumption.

The song's lyrics convey a message of caution about the consumption of alcohol, especially in situations involving relationships. The singer warns individuals to be careful when drinking with loved ones and to avoid the negative consequences that alcohol can bring. The repetition of the phrase "Utshwala begazati" emphasizes the seriousness of the message and serves as a reminder to listeners of the dangers of drinking.

Line by Line Meaning

Utshwala begazati
Beer is dangerous

Utshwala baxabanis'abantu bethandana
Alcohol brings people together

Lendaba ngiyayesaba madoda
I'm afraid of this issue

Ngabon'emadod'amabili
I saw two men

Ehlezi phansi kwesihlahla
Sitting under a tree

Ephuz'utshwala
Drinking beer

Baphel'utshwala
Getting drunk

Yasuk'indaba
Started fighting

Wath'omunye komunye
One said to the other

Awungikhahlele ngosheleni
Don't leave me behind

Ngiyotheng'ukhamba
I'm buying a calabash (to drink from)