In 1981, at the age of 16, she left Cape Town for Soweto, Johannesburg to seek her fortune as a singer. Brenda first joined the group Joy and later became the lead singer for the township pop group Brenda And The Big Dudes. She had a son, Bongani, in 1985 by a fellow Big Dudes musician. Brenda married ex-convict Nhlanhla Mbambo in 1989 but later in 1991 got divorced. It was around this time that she became addicted to cocaine and her career suffered.
With very outspoken views and frequent visits to the poorer townships of Johannesburg, as well as songs about life in the townships, she enjoyed tremendous popularity. Known best for her songs "Weekend Special" and "Too Late for Mama", she was called by Time Magazine in 2001 "The Madonna of the Townships".
In a drug-related incident in 1995 she was discovered unconscious with the body of her lover, Poppie Sihlahla, who had died of an apparent overdose. Fassie survived, underwent rehabilitation, and got her career back on track. However, she still had drug problems and returned to drug rehabilitation clinics about 30 times in her life.
Since 1996 she released several solo albums like "Now Is The Time", "Memeza" (1997, the best selling album in South Africa) or "Nomakanjani?". Most of her albums became multi-platinum sellers in South Africa.
On the morning of 26 April 2004, Brenda collapsed at her home in Buccleuch and was admitted into the Sunninghill hospital in Johannesburg. The press were told that she had suffered cardiac arrest but later reported that she had slipped into a coma brought on by an asthma attack. The post-mortem report revealed that she had taken an overdose of cocaine in the night of her collapse, and this was the cause of her coma. She stopped breathing and suffered brain damage from lack of oxygen. Brenda died at age 39 on 9 May 2004 in hospital without returning to consciousness after her life support machines were turned off. According to the South African Sunday Times and the managers of her music company, the post-mortem report also showed that she was HIV-positive. Her manager, Peter Snyman, denied this aspect of the report.
She was voted 17th in the Top 100 Great South Africans.
Source: Wikipedia
External link: Brenda Fassie: A very human hero (BBC News)
Ngizobuya
Brenda Fassie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ngizobuya, ngizobuya, ngizobuya (Ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi)
We mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma
Yimina obulal'umakhelwane
We mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma
Yimina obulal'umakhelwane
Angigwetshwe ngoba ngenz'icala
Ngonile ngiyavuma we Ma
Angigwetshwe ngoba ngenz'icala
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (Yebo Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantsh (We Ma)
We mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma
Yimin'obulal'umakhelwane
We mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma
Yimin'obulal'umakhelwane
Ngonile ngiyavuma we Ma
Angigwetshwe ngoba ngenz'icala
Ngonile ngiyavuma we Ma
Angigwetshwe ngoba ngenz'icala
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
We mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma (We Ma, we Ma)
Yimin'obulal'umakhelwane (We Ma, we Ma)
Ye mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma (We Ma, we Ma)
Yimin'obulal'umakhelwane (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngonile ngiyavuma we Ma (We Ma, we Ma)
Angigwetshwe ngoba ngenz'icala (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngonile ngiyavuma we Ma (We Ma, we Ma)
Angigwetshwe ngoba ngenz'icala (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
We mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma (We Ma, we Ma)
Yimin'obulal'umakhelwane (We Ma, we Ma)
Mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma (We Ma, we Ma)
Yimin'obulal'umakhelwane (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngonile ngiyavuma we Ma (We Ma, we Ma)
Angigwetshwe ngoba ngenz'icala (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngonile ngiyavuma we Ma (We Ma, we Ma)
Angigwetshwe ngoba ngenz'icala (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma, we Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
Ngizobuya (We Ma, we Ma)
The song "Ngizobuya" by Brenda Fassie is a catchy and upbeat track with a repetitive chorus that emphasizes the singer's desire to return to their loved ones after being away for a while. Throughout the song, the singer repeats the phrase "Ngizobuya," which means "I will come back" in isiZulu. The driving beat and repetitive melody create a sense of urgency and passion that underscores the singer's deep longing to be reunited with their loved ones.
In the verses, the singer hints at some of the reasons they have been away, acknowledging that they have caused harm to their neighbors (umakhelwane) and admitting to making mistakes that have led to their absence. Despite these transgressions, the singer remains committed to the idea of returning home and making things right.
Overall, "Ngizobuya" is a powerful statement about the importance of family and community, even in the face of past mistakes and difficulties. The song's potent mix of emotion, rhythm, and heart makes it a memorable anthem for anyone who has ever been far from home and longed to return.
Line by Line Meaning
Ngizobuya, ngizobuya, ngizobuya (Ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi)
I will return, I will return, I will return (I am working hard)
We mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma
I am a hustler, I admit
Yimina obulal'umakhelwane
It was me who killed the neighbor
Ngonile ngiyavuma we Ma
I have decided to admit, mother
Angigwetshwe ngoba ngenz'icala
I was caught because of my wrongdoing
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
I will return (Mother), I will return (Mother)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
I will return, I am working hard (Mother, Mother)
Ngizobuya (Yebo Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
I will return (Yes, Mother), I will return (Mother)
We mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma (We Ma, we Ma)
I am a hustler, I admit (Mother, Mother)
Yimin'obulal'umakhelwane (We Ma, we Ma)
It was me who killed the neighbor (Mother, Mother)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
I will return (Mother), I will return (Mother)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
I will return, I am working hard (Mother, Mother)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
I will return (Mother), I will return (Mother)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
I will return, I am working hard (Mother, Mother)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
I will return (Mother), I will return (Mother)
Ngizobuya ngiyosebenzel'usomantshi (We Ma, we Ma)
I will return, I am working hard (Mother, Mother)
We mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma (We Ma, we Ma)
I am a hustler, I admit (Mother, Mother)
Mshushisi, mina ngiyavuma (We Ma, we Ma)
I am a hustler, I admit (Mother, Mother)
Yimin'obulal'umakhelwane (We Ma, we Ma)
It was me who killed the neighbor (Mother, Mother)
Ngonile ngiyavuma we Ma (We Ma, we Ma)
I have decided to admit, mother (Mother, Mother)
Angigwetshwe ngoba ngenz'icala (We Ma, we Ma)
I was caught because of my wrongdoing (Mother, Mother)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
I will return (Mother), I will return (Mother)
Ngizobuya (We Ma, we Ma)
I will return (Mother, Mother)
Ngizobuya (We Ma) ngizobuya (We Ma)
I will return (Mother), I will return (Mother)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kesentseng Qonyevu Miss Kay
on Matshidiso
I loved Brenda Ma B with all my heart i still do nd forever will. Rest in eternal peace Queen of Pop
Lionel Mbayiwa
on Undikolota Malini
This song reminded me when I was still young and living in Zimbabwe,it painted an imagery picture of how South Africa looked like then I could see people dancing and very happy.
Since I had never set my foot in SA then and didnt understand what it means but there was a feeling within.
Now I'm listening to it and I'm residing in SA the song is taking me back home when I was young and living in an imaginary world.
Ngwanona song.i love it.
Ayanda Ndaba
on Kuyoze Kuyovalwa
zimbi iindaba...kuyoze kuyo closwa...iuyithululele iduku le iNGOMA...Hey he he he hey hola hops...hay' suuka
Nomacala Scaca Mpunzi
on Mama
why we don't get the track stay away(from my man) by brenda fassie?