Mahlathini, the Queens and the Makgona Tsohle Band had become famous as ind… Read Full Bio ↴Mahlathini, the Queens and the Makgona Tsohle Band had become famous as individual artists, but had frequently recorded together since 1964. It was only in 1986, when the demand for South African music arose through Paul Simon's Graceland album, that Gallo Record Company (the three artists' label) paired them together permanently.

Mahlathini was known as the "Lion of Soweto" (his voice was a low, "gravel-like" groan) and was well known throughout South Africa and neighboring countries such as Zimbabwe and Botswana during his career. He began singing in the 1950s, often working in conjunction with top producer Rupert Bopape at EMI South Africa, and often performing with the girl group the Dark City Sisters. When Bopape moved to Gallo Record Company in 1964 to start up the new African subsidiary, Mavuthela Music, he brought Mahlathini with him. The bass vocalist's career then took off. He was backed by Bopape's newly-formed Makgona Tsohle Band (soon to become the hardest-working mbaqanga session team in the country, led by the country's electric guitar pioneer Marks Mankwane as well as saxophone star West Nkosi) and often recorded with Bopape's newly-formed (and highly-successful) Mahotella Queens.

Mahotella Queens was initially a group of five female vocalists established at the Mavuthela division in 1964 by Bopape, who introduced Hilda Tloubatla to sing the main lead vocals. The Queens began recording hit singles and albums with their backing, the Makgona Tsohle Band, and were often fronted by Mahlathini. In 1971, Mahlathini signed with rival company EMI, and the original Queens all ended up joining rival girl groups. Bopape formed a new Mahotella Queens line-up, who most notably recorded the 1977 album Izibani Zomgqashiyo with Robert "Mbazo" Mkhize (in the place of Mahlathini). In 1983, the original five Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu, Mildred Mangxola, Juliet Mazamisa and Ethel Mngomezulu) reunited with Mahlathini and the Makgona Tsohle Band with the comeback release Amaqhawe Omgqashiyo (Heroes of Mgqashiyo Music). After one more hiatus, three of the Queens (Hilda Tloubatla, Nobesuthu Mbadu and Mildred Mangxola) regrouped full-time in 1986.

Ukhulum' Izindaba
Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ake uyeke mngani wami
Wen'ukukhuluma izindab'ezingaqondene nawe
Ake uyeke mngani wami (Izindaba, zindaba)
Wen'ukukhuluma wena izindab'ezingakufuni wena (Izindaba, zindaba)
Ake uyeke bo wena mngani wami (Izindaba, zindaba)
Wen'ukukhuluma bo izindab'ezingaqondene nawe (Izindaba, zindaba)

Wangixabanisa nobaba kaVusi

Wabuye futhi wangikhuluma kabi kuzakwethu
Suka wen'uyanginyundela
Mus'ukungikhuluma kabi

Wangixabanisa nobaba kaVusi
Wabuye futhi wangikhuluma kabi kuzakwethu
Suka wen'uyanginyundela
Hayi ukhuluma kabi ngami

Wangixabanisa nobaba kaVusi
Wabuye futhi wangikhuluma kabi kuzakwethu

Sewuthi ma uqhamuka bathi nang'ufoshozwayo
Sewuthi ma uqhamuka bathi nang'ufoshozwayo
Sewaziwa ngamagam'abantu (Izindaba, zindaba)
Sebekubiza ngonozindaba (Izindaba, zindaba)
Sebekubiza ngofoshozwayo (Izindaba, zindaba)

Sewuthi ma uqhamuka bathi nang'ufoshozwayo
Sewuthi ma uqhamuka bathi nang'ufoshozwayo
Sewaziwa ngamagam'abantu (Izindaba, zindaba)
Sebekubiza ngonozindaba (Izindaba, zindaba)
Sebekubiza ngofoshozwayo (Izindaba, zindaba)
Ayi wena foshozwayo

Sewuthi ma uqhamuka bathi nang'ufoshozwayo
Sewuthi ma uqhamuka bathi nang'ufoshozwayo
Sewaziwa ngamagam'abantu (Izindaba, zindaba)
Sebekubiza ngonozindaba (Izindaba, zindaba)
Sebekubiza ngofoshozwayo (Izindaba, zindaba)
Uthand'izindaba

Ngithi yekela wena bo
Yeka wen'ukungikhukuluma kabi
Ngoba wen'uth'uyadlisa
Mina angidlisi
Yekela, yekela,
Yekel'indaba zabantu

Yekela, yekela, yekel'indaba zabantu (Izindaba, zindaba)
Yekela, yekela, yekel'indaba zabantu (Izindaba, zindaba)
Yekela, yekela, yekel'indaba zabantu (Izindaba, zindaba)

Sewaziwa ngamagam'abantu (Izindaba, zindaba)
Sebekubiza ngonozindaba (Izindaba, zindaba)
Sebekubiza ngofoshozwayo (Izindaba, zindaba)

Yekela, yekela, yekel'indaba zabantu (Yekela bo)
Yekela, yekela, yekel'indaba zabantu (Yekela mnganami)

Uthand'izindaba
Izindaba, izindaba, izindaba
Uthand'izindaba
Izindaba, izindaba, izindaba
Uthand'izindaba
Izindaba, izindaba, izindaba
Uthand'izindaba
Izindaba, izindaba, izindaba
Uthand'izindaba
Izindaba, izindaba, izindaba
Uthand'izindaba
Izindaba, izindaba, izindaba
Uthand'izindaba
Izindaba, izindaba, izindaba

Sewaziwa ngamagam'abantu (Izindaba, zindaba)
Sebekubiza ngonozindaba (Izindaba, zindaba)
Sebekubiza ngofoshozwayo (Izindaba, zindaba)

Yekela, yekela, yekel'indaba zabantu (Yekela bo)
Yekela, yekela, yekel'indaba zabantu (Yekela mnganami)

Uthand'izindaba

Izindaba, izindaba, izindaba
Uthand'izindaba

Overall Meaning

The song 'Ukhulum' Izindaba' by Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens talks about the importance and power of storytelling. The lyrics in the song highlight the impact that stories have on people's lives and the role they play in bringing communities together. The singer encourages his friend to stop speaking negative things and embrace storytelling as a means of communication. Through the lyrics, he reminds his friend of a time when his father told him stories and how he now shares those same stories with his own family, friends, and community. The chorus encourages others to listen to the news being brought to them and to appreciate the power of storytelling.

The song has a repetitive melody which is common in traditional African music. The chorus emphasizes the importance of storytelling, and the repeated use of "izindaba" in the lyrics, which means news or stories, reinforces the message of the song. The song also features the signature harmonies and choral singing that are characteristic of South African Mbaqanga music.

Line by Line Meaning

Ake uyeke mngani wami
Please stop, my friend

Wen'ukukhuluma izindab'ezingaqondene nawe
You're speaking in riddles, which I don't understand

Wangixabanisa nobaba kaVusi
You mentioned my father, Vusi

Wabuye futhi wangikhuluma kabi kuzakwethu
You came back and spoke badly about my family

Suka wen'uyanginyundela
Don't follow me and bother me

Hayi ukhuluma kabi ngami
Don't speak badly about me

Sewuthi ma uqhamuka bathi nang'ufoshozwayo
They say you leave and they call you gossiper

Sewaziwa ngamagam'abantu
People know you for being a gossip

Sebekubiza ngonozindaba
They call you by the name 'nozindaba'

Sebekubiza ngofoshozwayo
They call you 'foshozwayo'

Ayi wena foshozwayo
You're not a gossip