Nomathemba
Mabel Mafuya Lyrics

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UseGol'uNomathemba
UseGol'uNomathemba
UseGol'uNomathemba
UseGol'uNomathemba

UseGoli uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
UseGoli uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)

Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)

UseGoli uNomathemba (Buya Nomathemba)
Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Buya Nomathemba)
UseGoli uNomathemba (Buya Nomathemba)
Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Buya Nomathemba)

UseGoli, Goli uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Akasabhali, bhali uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
UseGoli, Goli uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Akasabhali, bhali uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)

UseGoli uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
UseGoli uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)

UseGol'uNomathemba
UseGol'uNomathemba
UseGol'uNomathemba
UseGol'uNomathemba

(Hay'uNomathemba)
(Hay'uNomathemba)
(Hay'uNomathemba)
(Hay'uNomathemba)

(Hay'uNomathemba)
(Hay'uNomathemba)
(Hay'uNomathemba)
(Hay'uNomathemba)

UseGoli, Goli uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
Akasabhali, bhali uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
UseGoli, Goli uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
Akasabhali, bhali uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)

UseGoli uNomathemba (Buya Nomathemba)
Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Buya Nomathemba)
UseGoli uNomathemba (Buya Nomathemba)
Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Buya Nomathemba)

UseGoli, Goli uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Akasabhali, bhali uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
UseGoli, Goli uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Akasabhali, bhali uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)

UseGoli uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
UseGoli uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)

UseGol'uNomathemba
UseGol'uNomathemba

UseGol'uNomathemba
UseGol'uNomathemba

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mabel Mafuya & The Green Lanterns's song Nomathemba are entirely in isiXhosa, a language widely spoken in South Africa. The song is a call for Nomathemba, which means 'hope,' to come back. The repetition of the phrase 'UseGol'uNomathemba' throughout the song is a plea, almost a prayer, for hope to return. The song further emphasizes the need for Nomathemba to return by stating that Akasabuyi uNomathemba ( Nomathemba is not returning).

The lyrics of the song are simple, as the message is clear and hopes to be embraced by everyone who listens. The song calls for hope to return to people's lives and to continue to believe that they can make things better, even when all seems lost. In the South African context, the song could be seen as a reminder of the importance of hope in a country that has faced multiple challenges in the past.

Line by Line Meaning

UseGol'uNomathemba
Let us go with Nomathemba

UseGoli uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
Nomathemba is taking us, don't refuse

Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
Nomathemba won't turn back, don't refuse

UseGoli uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
Nomathemba is taking us, don't refuse

Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
Nomathemba won't turn back, don't refuse

UseGoli uNomathemba (Buya Nomathemba)
Let's go with Nomathemba, come back Nomathemba

Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Buya Nomathemba)
Nomathemba won't turn back, come back Nomathemba

UseGoli, Goli uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Nomathemba is taking us, trust in hope

Akasabhali, bhali uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Nomathemba doesn't fear, trust in hope

UseGoli uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Nomathemba is taking us, trust in hope

Akasabuyi uNomathemba (Hayi 'Themba)
Nomathemba won't turn back, trust in hope

UseGol'uNomathemba
Let us go with Nomathemba

(Hay'uNomathemba)
Nomathemba is taking us, don't refuse

UseGoli, Goli uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
Nomathemba is taking us, trust in hope

Akasabhali, bhali uNomathemba (Hay'uNomathemba)
Nomathemba doesn't fear, trust in hope