Busi Mhlongo, born 1947 as Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, is originally from In… Read Full Bio ↴Busi Mhlongo, born 1947 as Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, is originally from Inanda in Natal, South Africa. She is a virtuoso singer, dancer and composer whose music is often noted for defying categorization. Drawing on various South African styles such as mbaqanga, maskanda, marabi and traditional Zulu, fused with contemporary elements from jazz, funk, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African music, she produces a fresh and exciting sound uniquely her own. With infectious music and a singing style that has a universal appeal, she has become known for writing lyrics that carry powerful and poignant messages. In the 60s, she adopted the stage name Vickie, only later changing it to became known by her current name, Busi Mhlongo.

Mhlongo has worked with other top African folk / pop artists, like Hugh Masekela, Dr. Philip Tabane, Mabe Thobejane, and many legends - Robert "Doc" Mthalane making meticulously produced, melodic and modern South African music.

Her work also spans more urban styles, with several tracks on URBANZULU being remixed for the dancefloor.

In 2000, Busi scooped three awards at the FNB South African Music Awards for BEST FEMALE ARTIST, BEST ADULT CONTEMPORARY ALBUM (AFRICA), and BEST AFRICAN POP ALBUM. Busi has since also scored a KORA award and MELT has released a compilation called INDIZA with two new tracks produced by Brice Wassy and a series of remixes by Club 3.30.

The first South African music Benefit concert was held by South African Broadcasting Corporation to celebrate Busi's birthday and raise fund for her hospital bills. Busi has been diagnosed with Cancer and is undergoing treatment. President Thabo Mbheki was one of the Honourable guests.

Her album URBANZULU, is the very first time that Maskanda has been expressed by a Zulu woman commercially to an international audience.

Busi Mhlongo died on June 15, 2010 of breast cancer http://mg.co.za/article/2010-06-16-busi-mhlongo-queen-of-modern-zulu-music-dead-at-62

Khula Tshitshi Lami
Busi Mhlongo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hokhulakhula tshitshi lami
Othi mukhulile uqoma ngakithi
Hokhulakhula tshitshi lami
Othi mukhulile woqoma ngangoma
Hokhulakhula tshitshi lami
Othi mukhulile woqoma izinsizwa
Hokhulakhula ngani yabantu
Othi mukhulile woqoma izinsizwa

Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Hayi wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Shiya wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Hayi wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Hayi wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Shiya wemabhungu nishela kanjani

Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani (nishela kanjani)
Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani (nishela kanjani)
Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani (nishela kanjani)

Awu kugcwele izinkomo
Ho um ho um

Hokhulakhula tshitshi lami
Othi mukhulile uqoma ngakithi
Hokhulakhula tshitshi lami
Othi mukhulile woqoma eNongoma
Hokhulakhula ngani yabantu
Othi mukhulile woqoma izinsizwa
Hokhulakhula ngani yabantu
Othi mukhulile woqoma izinsizwa

Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani ah wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Nishela kanjani
Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani ah wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Nishela kanjani
Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani ah wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Nina nishela kanjani
Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani ah wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Nishela kanjani

Ho um ho um ho ho um
Ho um (ho um ho um ho ho um)
Ge um (ho um ho um ho ho um)
Ho um (ho um ho um ho ho um)
Ge um (ho um ho um ho ho um)
Anisho insizwa (ho um ho um ho ho um)

Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele ayi wemabhungu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele ayi wemabhungu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele ayi wemabhungu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele ayi wemabhungu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala zinsizwa yibo obunigqitha nabantu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala zinsizwa yibo obunigqitha nabantu

Anibophuza kahle utshwala zinsizwa yibo obunigqitha nabantu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala zinsizwa yibo obunigqitha nabantu
Sebuniqhatha nabantu
Welele (ho um ho um ho ho um)
Welele (ho um ho um ho ho um)
Ge um ge um ge um (ho um ho um ho ho um)

Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele ayi wemabhungu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele ayi wemabhungu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele ayi wemabhungu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala zinsizwa yibo obunigqitha nabantu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala zinsizwa yibo obunigqitha nabantu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala zinsizwa yibo obunigqitha nabantu

Anibophuza kahle utshwala zinsizwa yibo obunigqitha nabantu
Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele ayi wemabhungu nishela kanjani

Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele ayi wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele ayi wemabhungu nishela kanjani

Overall Meaning

The song "Khula Tshitshi Lami" by Busi Mhlongo is a vibrant and energetic celebration of traditional Zulu culture and its values. The lyrics are in Zulu and the title translates to "Grow up, my little flower." The chorus, which is repeated several times throughout the song, urges people to speak up and not be silent: "Hokhulakhula tshitshi lami, othi mukhulile uqoma ngakithi" (Grow up, my little flower, and speak up with us).

The verses reference the importance of community and unity, with lines like "Hokhulakhula ngani yabantu, othi mukhulile woqoma izinsizwa" (Speak up, people, and dance together). The song also touches on the issue of alcohol abuse, with lyrics like "Anibophuza kahle utshwala ngempele, ayi wemabhungu" (You've been drinking too much alcohol, young men). But ultimately, the song is a call to celebrate life and culture, to dance and sing and bring people together.

The music in "Khula Tshitshi Lami" is a fusion of traditional Zulu music with contemporary elements, including electric guitar and percussion. Busi Mhlongo's voice is powerful and soulful, and the harmonies and call-and-response sections make the song irresistible to dance to.

Line by Line Meaning

Hokhulakhula tshitshi lami
Encourage, my little bird

Othi mukhulile uqoma ngakithi
Saying that you have grown and spread your wings with me

Othi mukhulile woqoma ngangoma
Saying that you have grown and now dance with me

Othi mukhulile woqoma izinsizwa
Saying that you have grown and dance with the young men

Hokhulakhula ngani yabantu
Why do people encourage each other?

Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Oh, you young men, what are you doing?

Wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Young men, what are you doing?

Hayi wemabhungu nishela kanjani
No, young men, what are you doing?

Shiya wemabhungu nishela kanjani
Leave them, young men, what are you doing?

Awu wemabhungu nishela kanjani (nishela kanjani)
Oh, young men, what are you doing? (What are you doing?)

Awu kugcwele izinkomo
Oh, the cattle are lowing