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)
Thola Amadlozi
Brenda Fassie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela)
Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi (Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela
Bayajabula abagangileyo
Bayajabula abanemizi
Mina akukho okungilungelayo
Bonke abangan' bam' banemizi
Awu bheke ba bamba amaLotto
Abanye ba bamba umChina
Bayajabula abaphilayo
Oh mina ngiphila ngo dankie
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
The song "Thola Amadlozi" by Brenda Fassie is a celebration of traditional African spirituality, specifically the practice of communicating with ancestors through a sangoma (traditional healer). The lyrics express the belief that the sangoma has the ability to call forth the ancestors and receive their guidance and blessings. The repeated phrase "Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi" (We say sangoma, call forth the ancestors) emphasizes the importance of this practice and the respect that is paid to the ancestors. The line "Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela" (Because me, I do not play games) suggests that the singer takes this practice seriously and recognizes its power.
The chorus of the song centers on the idea of "thola amadlozi" (find the ancestors). The singer and others are said to be "siyaphuma" (coming out) in order to find an ancestor who will bring them luck or prosperity. The repeated phrase "thola madlozi" (find the ancestor) reflects the common belief in African spirituality that one's ancestors are always nearby, watching over and influencing their lives, and that by calling upon them, one can tap into their power.
Overall, the song celebrates the importance of traditional African spirituality and the practice of communicating with ancestors through a sangoma.
Line by Line Meaning
Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi
We call upon the ancestors, seeking their guidance and protection
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela
Because I cannot face life's challenges alone
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi
We beseech the ancestors to lead, guide and teach us
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi
We call upon the ancestors to be with us, to bless and protect us
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela
Because I need their constant presence and guidance
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi
We emerge victorious, having received the spirit we sought
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi
We leave with a renewed sense of purpose and direction
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela
Because I cannot navigate the spiritual world alone
Bayajabula abagangileyo
The righteous ones rejoice
Bayajabula abanemizi
Even the troubled ones find joy
Mina akukho okungilungelayo
For me, nothing is more important
Bonke abangan' bam' banemizi
Even those who doubt and trouble me
Awu bheke ba bamba amaLotto
Some play the lottery
Abanye ba bamba umChina
Others gamble on China
Bayajabula abaphilayo
But those who are spiritually alive find true joy
Oh mina ngiphila ngo dankie
As for me, I live every day with gratitude
Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi
We call upon the ancestors for their guidance and protection
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Brenda Fassie, Sello Twala
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@conniem.3432
Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi (Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela)
Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi (Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela
Bayajabula abagangileyo
Bayajabula abanemizi
Mina akukho okungilungelayo
Bonke abangan' bam' banemizi
Awu bheke ba bamba amaLotto
Abanye ba bamba umChina
Bayajabula abaphilayo
Oh mina ngiphila ngo dankie
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma ngihlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Sithi sangoma hlabela madlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Siyaphuma sithi ngitholi idlozi (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
Ngoba mina hayi ziyang'bhedela (Thola madlozi, Thola madlozi)
@falanzindzi1551
2024 who is still listening to this beautiful woman's songs. R. I. P Brenda fassie
@sticks15
me😊
@sinothandomahluko5347
Me😊
@amandamahachi7706
I'm here with you in 2024
@itsbellajoy2994
Me❤
@HM-kg8so
😭😭😭😭😌😌😌
@fanniephashe3516
I pray who ever reads this becomes successful in life.
@falitahmolefe8907
🙏🏾 Amen
@earljonathannyoni5914
So be it you too
@denniskipngetich1842
We don't search for old songs we search for old memories!
Any Kenyan here? Show love .🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪