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.
Woza My-Fohloza
Mbongeni Ngema Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Makuqhamuka wena lovie yini ngishawa luvalo
Umlenze wakho dali ubhubhuzel' umoya, isinqesakho
ksasekseni ngiqonde phiri, ngiyokhipa mathousand
kuncono ngiyolobola, ngivali bank account (woooo...)
intwengibonayo, ngofangilanda
my fohloza
helele my fohloza, lovie
we Dudu wami, sthandwa sami, my fohloza dali wami,
helele my fohloza x2
Dali, lovie, sweetie...
woza my phathakahle (wongishawa luvalo)
woza my sondeza, ulale'sifubeni
baby you're the one, akekhofana nawe
Dali wami, lovie wami, woza my fohloza
mangibona wena ngishawa luvalo, ng'julukubala, ng'cwaluthando, ng'thuthumelumzimba wonke
Nomungang'dlisa sekuyafana
hambu'yolandumuthi, lethakimi intando, ngigaxijazi dali, ngidlisemina
Ishaya kabuhlungu inhliziyo yami dali, umangicanga wena sweetie
yini ngishawa luvalo (wuuuu...)
Ngiqhaqhazela madolo
inhliziyo yami icweluthando
kuba'buhlungi hliziyo
umangicabangana nawe
ngishawa luvalo ngijulukubala
ngiqhaqhazela madolo woza my fohloza.
The lyrics of Mbongeni Ngema's song "Woza My Fohloza" talk about a person who is deeply in love with someone and is willing to give everything they have to be with that person. The song starts by the person describing how their body is shaking and their soul is disturbed because of their love for this person. They talk about how their lover has the power to calm them down and how much they need them. They also mention that their lover has a way of blowing their mind away and making them feel like they are on top of the world.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "my fohloza" multiple times, which is a term of endearment that means "my love" or "my darling." The chorus also mentions the person's trust and hope in their lover, calling them the "one" and stating that they are irreplaceable. The bridge of the song describes the emotional pain the person experiences at the thought of losing their lover and how they would do anything to keep them. The lyrics end with a plea for the lover to come and be with them.
Line by Line Meaning
Kuqubuku mhleza, umzimba wonke,
Looking around carefully, my whole body,
Makuqhamuka wena lovie yini ngishawa luvalo
Are you afraid my dear, of the dark shadows around us,
Umlenze wakho dali ubhubhuzel' umoya, isinqesakho
Your body language speaks volumes, my dear, you are tense,
ksasekseni ngiqonde phiri, ngiyokhipa mathousand
Early in the morning, when I get up, I dance to a thousand tunes,
kuncono ngiyolobola, ngivali bank account (woooo...)
Gradually, I will win you over, and we will have a good bank account (woooo...)
intwengibonayo, ngofangilanda
The girl that I see, my heart beats faster
my fohloza
my lover
Sthandwa se nhliziyo, wethemba lami
Love of my heart, my hope,
helele my fohloza, lovie
Oh my lover, my sweetie,
we Dudu wami, sthandwa sami, my fohloza dali wami,
Oh my Dudu, my love, my sweetie,
helele my fohloza x2
Oh my lover, my sweetie x2
Dali, lovie, sweetie...
Dear, sweetie, my love...
woza my phathakahle (wongishawa luvalo)
Come to me, my darling (don't be afraid of the dark shadows)
woza my sondeza, ulale'sifubeni
Come closer to me, sleep in my arms,
baby you're the one, akekhofana nawe
Baby, you're the one, there's no one like you,
Dali wami, lovie wami, woza my fohloza
My dear, my love, come to me, my lover,
mangibona wena ngishawa luvalo, ng'julukubala, ng'cwaluthando, ng'thuthumelumzimba wonke
When I see you my dear, I'm not afraid of the dark shadows and my whole body is overcome by joy and love
Nomungang'dlisa sekuyafana
And I swear to you, we are a perfect match,
hambu'yolandumuthi, lethakimi intando, ngigaxijazi dali, ngidlisemina
I have left behind the medicine, I have accepted my fate, I am no longer afraid my dear, I am committed
Ishaya kabuhlungu inhliziyo yami dali, umangicanga wena sweetie
My heart hurts so much my dear, you make me smile, sweetie
yini ngishawa luvalo (wuuuu...)
Why are you afraid of the dark shadows (wuuuu...)
Ngiqhaqhazela madolo
I am worried, my dear
inhliziyo yami icweluthando
My heart is full of love
kuba'buhlungi hliziyo
Because my heart is hurting
umangicabangana nawe
But it matches yours
ngishawa luvalo ngijulukubala
I'm not afraid of the dark shadows, I dance
ngiqhaqhazela madolo woza my fohloza.
I am worried, my dear, come to me, my lover.
Contributed by Anthony J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nokwazytreasuretreasure8186
Who’s still here 2023 December 27, rest in peace Mbongeni Ngema 😢
@user-td6bg6ym9l
😢😢😢
@annyq1422
😢
@thabangemmanual3533
Legend,lets gather here again ❤️🔥
@kabeloorumilwe7832
2023 these song still rents free in my heart and soul
@siphosihlebaase8892
that's me right now and I'm only seventeen 😭😭❤️
@akhonanyosana6159
As we speak 😊❤
@unotjaritjejamba2813
My gosh… need I say more..❤
@johnmabuza201
Steve Kakena
@edisonkatire613
Iam still here not going anywhere memories .