She was born in Bulawayo, (Southern Rhodesia, nowadays Zimbabwe), the fourth of seven children, and her mother was Zulu while her father was a Zambian hotel chef. Still, she attended a Catholic school deemed good by the standards of education allowed blacks. Her family moved to South Africa when she was 12 due to her health. By the time she was 19 she was touring in South Africa with singers she had admired as a girl.
Masuka's music was popular in South Africa throughout the 1950s, but when her songs became more serious, the government began questioning her. Her song "Dr. Malan," mentioning difficult laws, was banned and in 1961 she sang a song for Patrice Lumumba, which led to her exile. This exile lasted 31 years in total during which she lived in Zambia and worked as a flight attendant. She returned to Zimbabwe in 1980 after independence. Many of her songs are in the Ndebele language or Sindebele languages.
In August 2011, Dorothy Masuka and Mfundi Vundla, creator of the popular South African soap opera Generations, confirmed plans to make a film of Masuka's life. The film would concentrate on the years 1952 to 1957.
On 27 April 2017 she featured in the concert "The Jazz Epistles featuring Abdullah Ibrahim & Ekaya" at The Town Hall, New York City, opening the show and delivering "one passionate performance after another, warming up and winning over the crowd".
Mhlaba
Dorothy Masuka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Abamnyama basosizini
Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka
Abamnyama basosizini
Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka
Abamnyama basosizini
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo, iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo, iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo, iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo, iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Abamnyama bayahlupheka
Abamnyama basosizini
Abamnyama bayahlupheka
Abamnyama basosizini
Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka
Abamnyama basosizini
Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka
Abamnyama basosizini
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo, iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Abamnyama bayahlupheka
Abamnyana basosizini
Abamnyama bayahlupheka
Abamnyana basosizini
Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka
Abamnyana basosizini
Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka
Abamnyana basosizini
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Abamnyama bayahlupheka
Abamnyana basosizini
Abamnyama bayahlupheka
Abamnyana basosizini
Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka
Abamnyama basosizini
Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka
Abamnyama basosizini
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Abamnyama bayahlupheka
Abamnyama basosizini
Abamnyama bayahlupheka
Abamnyama basosizini
The lyrics to Dorothy Masuka's "Mhlaba" repeat the phrase "Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka, Abamnyama basosizini," which translates to "In this world, we suffer, black people need help." The repetition emphasizes the collective suffering of black people and highlights the need for support and action. The song was released during apartheid in South Africa, when black people faced systemic oppression and discrimination. In this context, the song can be interpreted as a call to action, urging those with privilege and power to recognize the suffering of the black community and work towards creating a more just society.
The repetition of "Iyo hayi" adds a sense of urgency and emotion to the song, conveying the desperation felt by those who are marginalized and oppressed. The simplicity of the lyrics and the use of repetition make the message more accessible and memorable, allowing it to resonate with a wider audience. The song also features traditional African rhythms, adding to its cultural significance and emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and celebrating black culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka
In this world, we suffer
Abamnyama basosizini
Black people are at a disadvantage
Iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Oh no (expressing sadness)
Iyo, iyo hayi (Doo waa)
Oh no, oh no (expressing more sadness)
Iyoo (Doo waa)
Yes (expressing agreement)
Abamnyana basosizini
Young black people are at a disadvantage
Abamnyama bayahlupheka
Black people are suffering
Kulomhlaba siyahlupheka
In this world, we suffer
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Daliwami
on Into Yami (Ngiyayithanda)
Could anyone please share lyrics?