They changed their name to Stimela after a life-changing experience in Mozambique when they were stranded in Maputo for three months. They had to sell all their belongings to take a train home. This trip was a watershed moment as it was where they conceived the new name for the band: train is translated as Stimela in Nguni languages.
Besides the change in name, the band also expanded with new members Charlie "Sam" Ndlovu, Nana Coyote, Thapelo Kgomo and Ntokozo Zungu. With soulful tunes and gripping lyrics, the band has recorded platinum-winning albums such as Fire, Passion and Ecstasy, Listen, Look and Decide as well as the controversial People Don't Talk, So Let's Talk. One of their most memorable tracks - "Whispers in the Deep" - was restricted for broadcast by the old South African Broadcasting Corporation.
Members
Ray Phiri - lead guitar, lead vocals (Raymond Chikapa Enock Phiri, 23 March 1947 – 12 July 2017)
Sam Ndlovu - Vocals
Isaac "Mnca" Mtshali - drummer
The late - Nana Coyote - lead vocals
Thapelo Kgomo - keyboards
Ntokozo Zungu - lead guitar
Bafana Khuzwayo - organ
Discography
1982: Fire, Passion and Ecstasy
1983: Rewind
1985: Shadows, Fear and Pain
1986: Look, Listen and Decide
1988: Live!
1987: Unfinished Story
1991: Siyaya
1983: Rewind (EP)
1985: Shadows Fear and Pain (EP)
1989: Trouble in the Land of Plenty
1994: Khululani
1995: Don't Ask Why
1995: Are You Ready (Live)
1987: The Unfinished Story
1996: Out of the Ashes
2000: Steam Tracks (Best of)
2001: Live At The Market Theatre - 1st Half (Live)
2002: The 2nd Half (Live)
2010: A Lifetime...
2011: turn on the sun
Raymond Chikapa Enock Phiri (23 March 1947 – 12 July 2017) was a South African jazz, fusion and mbaqanga musician born in Mpumalanga to Malawian immigrant worker and South African guitarist nicknamed "Just Now" Phiri. He became founding member of the Cannibals in the 1970s. When the Cannibals disbanded Ray founded Stimela, with whom he conceived gold and platinum-selling albums like Fire, Passion and Ecstacy (1991), Look, Listen and Decide (1992) as well as the controversial People Don't Talk So Let's Talk.
Siyaya Phambili
Stimela Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It must have been a terrible dream
Hey, hey, hey as soon as I
Turned on the lights
I realized what it could have been
It must have been a ghost aph'amadlozi?
Or even my imagination running away with me
A silent voice at the back of my mind
Do you know what you doing?
Do you know why you doin' it?
Do you understand anything about us?
But hunger, hunger
Suffer, suffer
Desperation leaves no room for doubt
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
Siyaya, siyaya phambili (No room for doubt)
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
For me and my family
There's only one way to go
The road could deter somebody
Heaven knows we are going
We need to help ourselves bring peace to the world
Heaven only knows we are going
Oh siyaya
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
The only way to go
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
We need peace, harmony
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
Do you know what you doing?
Do you know why you doin' it?
Do you understand anything about us?
But hunger, hunger
Suffer, suffer
Hunger, hunger
Suffer, suffer
Desperation leaves no room for doubt
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
I woke screaming one Winter night
It must have been a terrible dream
Hey, hey, hey as soon as I
Turned on the lights
I realized what it could have been
A silent voice in the back of my mind hey
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
A silent voice in the back of my mind hey
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
Do you know what you doing?
Do you know why you doin' it?
Do you understand anything about us?
But hunger, hunger
Suffer, suffer
Hunger, hunger
Suffer, suffer
Desperation leaves no room for doubt
Siyaya phambili (Siyaya)
Siyaya phambili (Siyaya)
Siyaya phambili (Siyaya)
The song "Siyaya Phambili" by Stimela is a powerful and thought-provoking anthem that speaks to the struggles and motivation of the Black South African community. The opening lyrics reflect the fear and uncertainty that can come with facing oppressive forces, be they in the form of ghosts or systemic injustice. The repeated questions "Do you know what you're doing? Do you understand anything about us?" speak to a sense of indignation and frustration towards those in power who seem oblivious or indifferent to the strife of those they hold down.
Yet the song is not a lament; it is a call to action. The chorus, "Siyaya phambili" ("We are moving forward") speaks to a resolute determination to make progress, despite the odds. The second verse speaks to the need to help one's own community first, as a means of effecting change on a larger scale. The repeated refrain of "Hunger, hunger, suffer, suffer" reminds us of the very real and immediate consequences of inaction or complacency in the face of hardship.
Overall, "Siyaya Phambili" is a rallying cry for unity and purpose in the face of adversity. It highlights the importance of acknowledging and fighting against systems of oppression while also recognizing the need for personal responsibility and action towards positive change.
Line by Line Meaning
I woke screaming one Winter night
I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night screaming, maybe because I had a horrible dream.
It must have been a terrible dream
I assume that the dream I had was terrible and might have been the reason behind my screams.
Hey, hey, hey as soon as I
Immediately after waking up and realizing that it was just a dream,
Turned on the lights
I switched on the lights in my room to assure myself that everything was alright.
I realized what it could have been
I figured out that maybe it was just my wild imagination playing tricks with me or maybe a spiritual occurrence.
Do you know what you doing?
Are you sure about the decisions you are making
Do you know why you doin' it?
Do you have a clear understanding of why you are doing what you are currently doing?
Do you understand anything about us?
Do you have any comprehension of our current struggles?
But hunger, hunger
There's a great level of desperation when there is no food, when people are starving
Suffer, suffer
People go through untold suffering in the absence of basic needs such as food and shelter.
Desperation leaves no room for doubt
When one is in absolute desperation, nothing else matters apart from fulfilling their needs.
Siyaya, siyaya phambili
We are moving forward, we will not be deterred.
For me and my family
Speaking from my perspective and for my family,
There's only one way to go
There's only one path that we can take, and it is forward
The road could deter somebody
The path we are taking might be so difficult that it might discourage others from following it
Heaven knows we are going
We are determined to move forward, and we know that God is with us as we make this journey.
We need to help ourselves bring peace to the world
We believe that we have the power to make a positive difference in the world if we help ourselves first.
Oh siyaya
We are moving forward and nothing can stop us.
Siyaya phambili
We are moving forward and upward.
We need peace, harmony
One of the main reasons why we are moving forward is that we want to create an environment of peace and harmony.
A silent voice in the back of my mind hey
There is a voice inside my head which is silent, but it is still urging me to move forward.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mpho
on See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child)
Love this song too much but never had an opportunity to know the rest of the message. i attended most of Stimela's concerts and this song has a special place in my heart. Thank you for sharing this message. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Nkini Moeng
on Zwakala (Come to Me)
I LOVE THE SONG VERY MUCH COULD YOU PLEASE ADD THE LYRICS.