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.
Unity
Mbongeni Ngema Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And realize as a nation that
Unity is our responsibility
Love for our nation
Is a key for our future
Peace and our prosperity
Divided we will fall
Yo, yo, yo, yo
United we still stand to
Obtain and victory
Divided we shall fall
South Africa will be the last
African nation to obtain its liberation
If we keep on fighting one another
We will never
We will never see our country again
Balithathile
Gone forever
For the sake of the children
Let us all be united
Let us all be one nation
So let's all get together
Together we are one
We are one
If we keep on fighting one another
We will never
We will never see our country again
Balithathile
Gone forever
The song "Unity" by Mbongeni Ngema is a call for national unity and emphasizes the importance of coming together as a nation to ensure prosperity, freedom, and peace. The lyrics express the notion that South Africa cannot obtain liberation if its citizens continue to fight one another. The lyrics suggest that the love for the nation is a key for the country's future, and unity is the responsibility of citizens. The song can be seen as a commentary on the country's apartheid past, and the need for all South Africans to come together for the sake of their children and future generations.
The repetition of the phrase "divided we will fall" reinforces the importance of unity and the consequences of not coming together. The use of the phrases "Yo, yo, yo, yo" and "balithathile gone forever" are traditional South African call and response phrases that signify the loss of something significant. This emphasizes the message of the song that if South Africa does not come together, the country's future and potential will be lost.
Line by Line Meaning
We must come together
It is necessary for us to collaborate
And realize as a nation that
We need to acknowledge that as a country
Unity is our responsibility
It is our duty to promote harmony
Love for our nation
Affection for our country
Is a key for our future
It is essential for our future success
Peace and our prosperity
Harmony results in affluence
Divided we will fall
Discord will lead to failure
Yo, yo, yo, yo
An expression of enthusiasm
United we still stand
We remain strong when united
United we still stand to
We continue standing strong to
Obtain and victory
Achieve ultimate success
Divided we shall fall
We will fail if we remain divided
South Africa will be the last
South Africa will be the final
African nation to obtain its liberation
Country in Africa to gain independence
If we keep on fighting one another
Persisting in conflict with each other
We will never
It will be impossible to
We will never see our country again
Reunite with our nation
Balithathile
Gone forever
For the sake of the children
For future generations
Let us all be united
Let us work together as one
Let us all be one nation
Let us consider ourselves as a singular country
So let's all get together
Therefore, let us convene together
Together we are one
Collectively, we are a unified entity
We are one
We share the same aspirations
If we keep on fighting one another
Persisting in conflict with each other
We will never
It will be impossible to
We will never see our country again
Reunite with our nation
Balithathile
Gone forever
Writer(s): MBONGENI NGEMA
Contributed by Aria M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@sipnog3528
Great. The youth then was 👌👌👌
@ezithintauzulu
What aloss to the world. Rest In peace sir
@moricemadegwa6029
Rest in peàce legend the whole of Africa is mourning 😂😂😂😂
@christinesekete2009
RIP Mbongeni 💔 💔🙏🙏🕊🕊
@JK-ki7kg
beautiful thanks for sharing it!!
@l.bmthethwa1598
Ngifikelwa zinyembezk
@mg-bd1hp
Rip Angola
@ntokozomnguni2467
Ngicela isimuka nandwendwe
@mphoneluvhola3059
I listen to this kind of music and get emotional beautiful music however ANC betrayed all of us especially black people
@yvonnengonyama1819
Especially our current President Ramaphosa he put a nail in the coffin😭😭😭