Asimbonanga
Savuka Lyrics
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Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Oh the sea is cold and the sky is grey
Look across the Island into the Bay
We are all islands 'til comes the day
We cross the burning water
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona
A seagull wings across the sea
Broken silence is what I dream
Who has the words to close the distance
Between you and me
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona
Steven Biko
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'wafela khona
Victoria Mxenge
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'wafela khona
Neil Aggett
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang 'umfowethu thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'wafela khona
Hey wena
Hey wena nawe
Siyofika nini la' siyakhona, la'siyakhona
Hey wena
Hey wena nawe
Siyofika nini la' siyakhona, la'siyakhona
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona
The lyrics of Savuka's song Asimbonanga express a longing for justice and freedom in South Africa during the apartheid era. The repetitive refrain "asimbonang' u Mandela thina" (we have not seen Mandela) highlights the absence of one of the most famous anti-apartheid leaders who was then in prison. The first two stanzas describe the bleak surroundings, the cold sea and grey sky, and the separation between people, likening them to islands. The hope for crossing the "burning water" of separation is expressed in the last line of the second stanza.
The third stanza includes an image of a seagull crossing the sea, perhaps symbolizing the hope for freedom. The question "who has the words to close the distance between you and me" expresses the yearning for communication and understanding between the oppressed and the oppressors. The next stanzas mention other anti-apartheid activists who were also in prison or had been murdered, Steven Biko, Victoria Mxenge, and Neil Aggett, highlighting the plight of those fighting against the oppressive regime.
The song concludes with a call for unity and a final plea for freedom, repeating the refrain "asimbonang' u Mandela thina" as a powerful statement of hope and resilience against oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Asimbonanga
We have not seen him
Asimbonang' u Mandela thina
We have not seen Mandela
Laph'ekhona
In his place
Laph'ehleli khona
Seated there
Oh the sea is cold and the sky is grey
The weather is unfavorable
Look across the Island into the Bay
Survey the surroundings
We are all islands 'til comes the day
We are all alone until we are united
We cross the burning water
We overcome obstacles to unite
A seagull wings across the sea
A bird flies across the water
Broken silence is what I dream
I dream of breaking the communication barrier
Who has the words to close the distance
Who can bridge the gap
Between you and me
Between us
Steven Biko
Mention of a human rights activist
Victoria Mxenge
Mention of a South African apartheid-era activist
Neil Aggett
Mention of a South African anti-apartheid activist and trade unionist
Hey wena
Hey you
Hey wena nawe
Hey you, and you
Siyofika nini la' siyakhona, la'siyakhona
When will we arrive? We are here, we are here
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (FRANCE), RHYTHM SAFARI PTY LTD, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Jonathan Paul Clegg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind