Mafikizolo is an Afro-pop group/band from South Africa. It is made up of le… Read Full Bio ↴Mafikizolo is an Afro-pop group/band from South Africa. It is made up of lead singer/composer Nhlanhla Sibongile Mafu Nciza and songwriter/composer/singer Theo Kgosinkwe. Tebogo Benedict Madingoane (rapper) was shot dead in a road incident in 2004.
Their music is also influenced by kwaito and they have been credited with a genre called Kwela after their style of music. It has been described as kwaito-cum-marabi house music. Their music deals with pertinent social issues such as women and children abuse, poverty, the importance of education and the dangers of casual sex. They have performed all over Southern Africa and have a fan base all over the world.
Mafikizolo visits HIV/AIDS Care Centres and Youth Centres around the country and is heavily involved in community work and youth development through the Youth Development Troika of National Youth Commission, South African Youth Council and Umsobovu Youth Fund.
Their hit track "Ndihamba Nawe" which was inspired by Sophie Mgcina's 1960's recording of "Mmangwane" has been one of the most popular African songs of the 21st century. They have enjoyed more success with albums like Sibongile, Kwela, Van toeka af, Six Mabone.
Sibongile, Marabi, Morena, O tswa kae, Ubahlula Bonke, Mahkwapheni, Bangradesh, Ndihamba Nawe, Ndifuna Wena, The Journey, Sebenza, Loot, Goliwood, Msheli, Ndixolele, Ndashata, Sebuyile, Udakwa Najlo, Munt'omnyama, Gugo'thandayo, Dance Mood, etc

Munt'omnyama
Mafikizolo Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oyoyo ngithi omunt′ omyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt' omyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt′ omyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt' omyama
Ngithi omunt' omnyama, omunt′ omnyama
Ngithi omunt′ omnyama, omunt' omnyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt′ omyama
Ngithi omunt' omnyama, omunt′ omnyama

Ngithi omunt' omnyama, omunt′ omnyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt' omyama

Ngikhule ekasi no mama o mama wami
Ngikhule ngi sokola omunt' omnyama
Kodwa bengi nga khohlwi ngi fundiswe omama
Bengi hlala ngifunda njalo omunt′ omnyama
Ngithi ngikhule ekasi no mama o mama wami
Ngikhule ngi sokola omunt′ omnyama
Kodwa bengi nga khohlwi ngi fundiswe omama
Bengi hlala ngifunda njalo omunt' omnyama

Nawe uhlakaniphile, omuhle, ophiwe
Uhlakaniphile, omuhle, ophiwe
Vuka ozenzele omunt′ omnyama
Nawe hlakaniphile, omuhle, ophiwe
Uhlakaniphile, omuhle, ophiwe
Vuka ozenzele omunt' omnyama

Oyoyo ngithi omunt′ omyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt' omyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt′ omyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt' omyama
Ngithi Omunt' omnyama, omunt′ omnyama
Omunt′ omnyama, omunt' omnyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt′ omyama
Omunt' omnyama, omunt′ omnyama
Omunt' omnyama, omunt′ omnyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt' omyama

Eh thari ye ntsho thari ye ntsho
Kere thari ye ntsho I'm talking to you
In my past life time ne ke tlhaba tlhabana
Why re tlhoba tlhobana o nthaetsa mahlo
O nkgwela botlhori ks botlhale jwa phala
Phalaneng
Eh bothata bo kae ga ke bo bone kgang tse pedi ke bo one
Eh Mafikizolo ba mo Mafi ke methlolo
Eh mokodi wee itsose eh mokodi wee itsose

Oyoyo ngithi omunt′ omyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt′ omyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt' omyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt′ omyama
Ngithi omunt' omnyama, omunt′ omnyama
Ngithi omunt' omnyama, omunt′ omnyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt' omyama
Ngithi omunt' omnyama, omunt′ omnyama
Ngithi omunt′ omnyama, omunt' omnyama
Oyoyo ngithi omunt′ omyama
Ngikhule ngi sokola omunt' omnyama

Ngikhule ekasi no mama o mama wami
Ngikhule ngi sokola omunt′ omnyama

Overall Meaning

“Munt'omnyama” by Mafikizolo is a song that combines the traditional South African musical style of township jazz with contemporary beats to create a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. The lyrics of the song tell the story of growing up in the townships, where life is often difficult and opportunities are scarce. The title of the song "Munt'omnyama" means "black child" in Zulu, and the lyrics are a celebration of the resilience and strength of the black community in South Africa despite the challenges they face.

The song starts with the repeated refrain "Ngithi omunt' omnyama, omunt' omnyama", which means "I say black child, black child". This is followed by the singer reminiscing about growing up in the township with their mother, but also feeling a sense of frustration at the lack of opportunities and feeling held back. The chorus repeats the refrain and then switches to encouraging the listener to rise above their circumstances and make something of themselves, saying "Vuka ozenzele omunt'omnyama" which means "Wake up and do something, black child".

The third verse is a spoken word passage that talks about the struggles of living in the townships, but also the strength of the community in supporting and uplifting each other. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and the refrain, leaving the listener with a sense of hope and encouragement to keep striving for a better life.

Line by Line Meaning

Oyoyo ngithi omunt' omyama
The singer repeats the phrase 'omunt' omnyama' in a drawn-out manner to emphasize the importance of the phrase.

Ngithi omunt' omnyama, omunt′ omnyama
The singer repeats the phrase 'omunt' omnyama' to let listeners know that they are referring to a dark-skinned person.

Ngikhule ekasi no mama o mama wami
I grew up in the township with my mother.

Ngikhule ngi sokola omunt' omnyama
I grew up aware of the importance of dark-skinned people.

Kodwa bengi nga khohlwi ngi fundiswe omama
I was not interested in learning about my mother's teachings.

Bengi hlala ngifunda njalo omunt′ omnyama
I remained ignorant about the value of dark-skinned people.

Nawe uhlakaniphile, omuhle, ophiwe
You are wise, beautiful and blessed.

Vuka ozenzele omunt′ omnyama
Get up and do something for dark-skinned people.

Eh thari ye ntsho thari ye ntsho
The singer uses a phrase to grab the listener's attention.

Kere thari ye ntsho I'm talking to you
I'm talking to you, pay attention.

In my past life time ne ke tlhaba tlhabana
In my past life, I used to argue with others.

Why re tlhoba tlhobana o nthaetsa mahlo
Why do we fight and hurt each other when we should be uplifting one another?

O nkgwela botlhori ks botlhale jwa phala
Don't discriminate against anyone based on their appearance or skin color.

Phalaneng
Let's come together and unite.

Eh bothata bo kae ga ke bo bone kgang tse pedi ke bo one
What are the problems we face that cannot be solved through unity?

Eh Mafikizolo ba mo Mafi ke methlolo
Mafikizolo is a powerful music group.

Eh mokodi wee itsose eh mokodi wee itsose
The singer encourages listeners to wake up and take action.

Writer(s): Kgosinkwe Tate Theodore, Mdlongwa Oscar Bonwakosi, Mofokeng Daniel, Mupemhi Adrian Anesu, Seate Serai Tshepo, Sebitlo Tebogo Bruce

Contributed by Dominic T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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