He is married to actress Leleti Khumalo. Leleti who received a 1988 Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical for Sarafina; as well as starring as the leading role in South Africa's first Oscar-nominated film/move, Yesterday.
In some sectors of South African society, Ngema is considered a racist because of his controversial song, AmaNdiya (about racism that Blacks in KwaZulu-Natal have suffered at the hands of Indians). It was banned in the country soon after it was released in 2002, and even Nelson Mandela had asked Ngema to apologize but Ngema refused.
Asinamali
Mbongeni Ngema Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Amahheshe nsizwa) Wensizwa hheshe wensizw'amahheshe
(Amahheshe nsizwa) Wensizwa ma
(Namhlanj'elamanqamu) Wema
Kuyoshika shi
Uyohlinz'az'adele udokotela
(Amahheshe nsizwa) Wensizwa hheshe wensizw'amahheshe
(Amahheshe nsizwa) Wensizwa ma
(Namhlanj'elamanqamu) Wema
Kuyoshika shi
Uyohlinz'az'adele udokotela
(Amahheshe nsizwa) Wensizwa hheshe wensizw'amahheshe
I am Bheki Nqathu
I come from Zululand
I got a place to stay
In Lamontville township
Near this city, Durban
During that time
This man
Msizi Dube
A very strong leader
And a powerful voice for Lamontville people
Was killed
They killed him
The government spies killed him
Impimpi
Uyazi izimpimpi zama bhunu zavele zambulala uMsizi maan
The reason for his death was that
He maintained that we have no money
For the government high rent increase
Asinamali
People took up this slogan (Wuh wuh wuh wuh)
Asinamali (Wuh wuh wuh wuh)
And the police went to work
Many of us died
And many of us went to jail
And I'm telling you
Up to this day
People don't pay rent
In the townships
Wensizwa hheshe wensizw'amahheshe
(Amahheshe nsizwa) Wensizwa hheshe wensizwa ngiyalishay'ikhanda
(Amahheshe nsizwa) Wensizwa ma
(Namhlanj'elamanqamu) Wema
Kuyoshika shi
(Uyohlinz'az'adele udokotela) Wensizwa bo
(Amahheshe nsizwa) WeLimpopo
(Sthwele kanzima, skhala kanzima) (Hii iih) WeLimpopo
(Sthwele kanzima) WeLimpompo weh
(Sthwele kanzima, skhala kanzima) (Hii iih) WeLimpopo
(Sthwele kanzima) Awu sekuginqika ibhunu (Iyeehh)
(Sthwele kanzima, skhala kanzima) (Hii iih) Babaleka nebhunu mani
(Sthwele kanzima) Awu sekuginqika ibhunu
Iyoh hhum
Hhum iyoh hhum
Muntu omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Sengizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Mina ngizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Munt'omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Mina ngizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Munt'omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Muntu omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Sengizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Muntu omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Sengizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Mina ngizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Munt'omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Mina ngizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Munt'omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Mina nawe sboshwa (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Sofela la (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Mina nawe sboshwa (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Sofela la (Hhum iyoh hhum) (Woza)
Muntu omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Sengizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Muntu omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Haibo cigarette baba (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Nkawza nkawza cigarette
Muntu omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Sengizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Muntu omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Sengizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Mina ngizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Munt'omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Mina ngizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Munt'omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Mina nawe sboshwa (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Sofela la (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Mina nawe sboshwa (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Sofela la (Hhum iyoh hhum) (Woza)
The lyrics of Mbongeni Ngema's "Asinamali" reflect a turbulent time in the history of South Africa, when people were fighting against the high rent increases imposed on them by the apartheid government. The song is a call to action, encouraging people to resist the oppressive policies of the government and stand up for their rights.
In the first few verses of the song, the singer reflects on the death of a prominent leader in Lamontville township, Msizi Dube, who was killed by government spies. Msizi Dube was a powerful voice for his people and maintained that they had no money to pay for the government's high rent increases. This led to the popularization of the slogan "Asinamali," which translates to "We have no money." The police responded with violence, and many people died or were jailed for their resistance to the rent increases.
The song also touches on issues of class and poverty, with the singer lamenting that he and others like him are facing hunger and hardship while the wealthy enjoy their privileges. The lyrics contain a sense of defiance and a refusal to be silenced, with the singer declaring that he will continue to fight for his rights no matter what.
Line by Line Meaning
Amahheshe wensizw'amahheshe
Hey, girl from the Amahheshe tribe with the same name as yours
Wensizwa hheshe wensizw'amahheshe
Hey, young lady from the Amahheshe tribe with the same name as yours
Wensizwa ma
Hey, girl
Kuyoshika shi
It's going to rain soon
Uyohlinz'az'adele udokotela
You'll regret it when you're lying on the hospital bed
I am Bheki Nqathu
My name is Bheki Nqathu
I come from Zululand
I'm from Zululand
I got a place to stay
I have a place to live
In Lamontville township
In the Lamontville area
Near this city, Durban
Close to the city of Durban
During that time
At that time
This man
Referring to Msizi Dube
Msizi Dube
A man named Msizi Dube
A very strong leader
A powerful figure who led the community
And a powerful voice for Lamontville people
He spoke up for the people of Lamontville
Was killed
He was murdered
They killed him
He was killed by others
The government spies killed him
The government's spies were responsible for his death
Impimpi
A word used to refer to government spies
Uyazi izimpimpi zama bhunu zavele zambulala uMsizi maan
Do you know that the government spies killed Msizi Dube?
The reason for his death was that
The cause of his death was
He maintained that we have no money
He believed that we didn't have enough money
For the government high rent increase
To pay for the government's high rent increase
Asinamali
We have no money
People took up this slogan (Wuh wuh wuh wuh)
People started using this slogan
And the police went to work
The police started to take action
Many of us died
Many of us lost our lives
And many of us went to jail
And many of us were imprisoned
And I'm telling you
I'm telling you
Up to this day
Even now
People don't pay rent
People still refuse to pay rent
In the townships
In the areas where black people live
WeLimpopo
Referring to the Limpopo province
Sthwele kanzima, skhala kanzima
Hard to move and hard to shout
WeLimpopo
In Limpopo
Awu sekuginqika ibhunu (Iyeehh)
Oh, the Boers are asking for it
Babaleka nebhunu mani
The Boers are running away
Iyoh hhum
This beat
Hhum iyoh hhum
This beat
Muntu omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
A beautiful person (This beat)
Sengizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
I'm going to die young (This beat)
Mina ngizofel'ejele (Hhum iyoh hhum)
I'm going to die young (This beat)
Munt'omuhle (Hhum iyoh hhum)
A beautiful person (This beat)
Mina nawe sboshwa (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Me and you, my friend (This beat)
Sofela la (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Let's dance here (This beat)
Woza
Come on
Haibo cigarette baba (Hhum iyoh hhum)
Hey, give me a cigarette, bro (This beat)
Nkawza nkawza cigarette
Quickly, quickly, cigarette
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kenwoodchitsonga
Watched the original in the 80s. Beautiful play
@melaninmonatemchunu6896
It is indeed and thank you for watching
@prettyzaaaaar
It is my first year @TUT ARTS and I am enjoying my Analysis and Criticism I: Performance Critique assessment.
@melaninmonatemchunu6896
Thank you Zama❤
@solorider__
Ahhhha dammit this is beautiful marn 🥺🔥🔥🎭
@melaninmonatemchunu6896
Thank you 🙏🏽❤️🏆
@Lejoy74
One day I will be an actress
@kubobonkelwana9732
WELL DONE DIRECTOR NELISIWE MCHUNU!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@melaninmonatemchunu6896
Thank you 😭❤️🙏🏽
@phiwesimphiwe2709
🥺🔥🔥🔥🔥♥️♥️♥️