Born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Coenie was educated at University of the Free State in Bloemfontein majoring in media studies where he later on lectured in the Communications faculty. He has always viewed his musical career as his second vocation. He is also a classically trained pianist. Coenie is the anchor presenter in popular South African kykNET journal program "Kwela".
During the late 1980s, Coenie spent a few years in self-imposed exile in Cyprus. Coenie has also performed in New Zealand, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom.
Coenie signed with Mountain Records in 1983, and recorded his debut album, Skoppensboer, working with producer, Patrick Lee-Thorp and engineer, Kevin Shirley, in the same year. He subsequently recorded 4 albums for the label many of which won industry awards. In addition he contributed to label compilations of his work. Since leaving Mountain Records he has recorded a number of one off projects for different labels.
Coenie lived on the island of Cyprus during the eighties and nineties. He wrote, recorded and produced the album Amper Alleen in Cyprus and in Athens, Greece. Amper Alleen was the second SA album to be released on CD. Coenie and his family returned to South Africa after the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the ANC. He released Hartland, an album which included a vocal performance by Lesley Rae Dowling.
Namakwaland
Coenie De Villiers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
En die reënwind oor my randjies waai
Laat die warrelwind ‘n laaste keer
Sy nukke oor my lyf probeer
En roer die reën die droë loop
Dan breek my hart se kleure oop
En knoop ek gou my blommejas
Namakwaland se veld hou nuwejaar
Kom kyk hoe hotnotsriel ‘n vygie daar
‘n Blyplek, vryplek, Nababiep my ghantang
Kom proe hoe soet ‘n ghoukom hier kan smaak
Hier kan smaak
Namakwaland se veld hou nuwejaar
Kom kyk hoe hotnotsriel ‘n vygie daar
‘n Blyplek, vryplek, Nababiep my ghantang
Kom proe hoe soet ‘n ghoukom hier kan smaak
Hier kan smaak
En ek sprei my kelkiewynkaros
Waar die horison die more los
En iewers staan ‘n kokerboom
Kniediep in die geel en droom
En die wind maak soms ‘n ry patroon
Van ‘n botterblom se goue kroon
En êrens oor my wye rug
My marabou, my vleipatrys
Namakwaland se veld hou nuwejaar
Kom kyk hoe hotnotsriel ‘n vygie daar
‘n Blyplek, vryplek, Nababiep my ghantang
Kom proe hoe soet ‘n ghoukom hier kan smaak
Hier kan smaak
Coenie De Villiers's song Namakwaland is a nostalgic tribute to the beauty of the Namakwaland region of South Africa. The first stanza sets the scene for the listener, describing the changing of the seasons and the feeling of the wind on one's skin. The singer reflects on the way rain brings colors to the heart and how quickly one must don their flower jacket when the wildflowers begin to bloom in towns like Kamieskroon and Kommagas. The song's refrain celebrates the new year that the veldt holds, inviting the listener to come and taste the sweetness of the ghoukom (regional honey) and to revel in the unique cultural heritage of places like Nababiep.
The second stanza is a celebration of the natural beauty of the region. The singer describes spreading out a wine cup made of flowers over the horizon and dreaming away in the company of a kokerboom (quiver tree). The wind sometimes forms fairy circles around the golden crowns of the botonblom (crown daisy) flowers; and somewhere over the open expanse, the singer thinks of the marabou and the vleipatrys (korhaan) that roam these parts. The song ends with yet another invitation to come out to Namakwaland and enjoy its beauty and unique experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
En as die jaargety kom draai
When the seasons change
En die reënwind oor my randjies waai
And the rain wind blows over my edges
Laat die warrelwind ‘n laaste keer
Let the whirlwind try one last time
Sy nukke oor my lyf probeer
To test my body with its tantrums
En roer die reën die droë loop
And when the rain stirs the dry valley
Dan breek my hart se kleure oop
My heart's colors start to bloom
En knoop ek gou my blommejas
And I quickly put on my flowery jacket
Van Kamieskroon tot Kommagas
From Kamieskroon to Kommagas
Namakwaland se veld hou nuwejaar
Namakwaland's fields celebrate the new year
Kom kyk hoe hotnotsriel ‘n vygie daar
Come see how hotnotsriel dances with a small succulent plant
‘n Blyplek, vryplek, Nababiep my ghantang
A happy place, a free place, Nababiep my favorite spot
Kom proe hoe soet ‘n ghoukom hier kan smaak
Taste how sweet the nectar can be here
Hier kan smaak
Here can taste
En ek sprei my kelkiewynkaros
And I spread my wine cup flower vase
Waar die horison die more los
Where the horizon releases tomorrow
En iewers staan ‘n kokerboom
And somewhere stands a quiver tree
Kniediep in die geel en droom
Knee-deep in the yellow, and dream
En die wind maak soms ‘n ry patroon
And the wind sometimes creates a row pattern
Van ‘n botterblom se goue kroon
From a buttercup's golden crown
En êrens oor my wye rug
And somewhere over my wide back
My marabou, my vleipatrys
My marabou, my courting grouse
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: DE VILLERS COEWIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind