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
Ntandane
Busi Mhlongo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wangishayis'okwentandane.
Awu ubab'engishay'engivus'ekuseni ngovivi
Wayengishayisa okwentandane.
Ngiyamthadna ubaba ngoba
Ungishaya engivusa ekuseni, ekuseni ngovivi
Wayengishayisa okwentandane
Wayengishayisa okwentandane.
Ngiyabonga baba
Ngokungishayisa okwentandane
Engishaya engivusa ekuseni ngovivi
Engishayisa okwentandane
The verses of Busi Mhlongo's song 'Ntandane' describe a situation where someone wakes up in the morning with the feeling of defeat, having been abandoned. The person in the song is saying that in the morning they were criticized, they were made to feel small, and they were rejected. Being rejected made the person feel vulnerable and helpless. They were made to feel as if they had no place to call home. The person feels broken, unsure of what to do next, and feeling as if they have nothing to offer. The verses go on to explain how the person's father is constantly shooting them down, making them feel inadequate and that nothing they do is good enough. However, the person still expresses gratitude for the small acts of kindness and the few things they have been given.
Overall, 'Ntandane' is a song about rejection and being made to feel small. It's about feeling vulnerable and helpless due to constant criticism, and how that criticism can erode one's self-esteem. The song is a plea for acceptance, for kindness, and for a sense of belonging. Busi Mhlongo's strong and emotive voice captures the raw emotion of the song and makes it an unforgettable experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Kus'ekuseni ngovivi
Early in the morning
Wangishayis'okwentandane.
You left me with a child.
Awu ubab'engishay'engivus'ekuseni ngovivi
Oh father, you left me helpless early in the morning.
Wayengishayisa okwentandane.
You left me with a child.
Ngiyamthadna ubaba ngoba
I miss my father because
Ungishaya engivusa ekuseni, ekuseni ngovivi
He left me helpless early in the morning.
Wayengishayisa okwentandane
He left me with a child.
Ehheni ubaba engishaya engivusa ekuseni ngovivi
Oh father, you left me helpless early in the morning.
Wayengishayisa okwentandane.
You left me with a child.
Ngiyabonga baba
I thank you father
Ngokungishayisa okwentandane
For leaving me with a child
Engishaya engivusa ekuseni ngovivi
Leaving me helpless early in the morning
Engishayisa okwentandane
And leaving me with a child
Contributed by Katherine D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.