Amampondo
Stompie Mavi Lyrics

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Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)

Sasivuswa nangendlovu
Sibethwa ngetong'emnyama
Sanyamezela kwanjena

Tyhin'upheth'aph'umnt'omnyama

Khawuthethele sive
Siyaphela loludlame
Ncedis'uTshwete siyaphela
Ndiyayizibula mna intw'enje

(Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka) Iyabaleka
(Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka) Iyabaleka
(Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka) Iyabaleka
(Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka) Iyabaleka

Tshin'imidaka ibhokile
Nazo nezizwe ziyangena
Tshin'imidaka ibhokile
Nazo nezizwe ziyangena

Wasithel'okaTambo
Mizamo yakh'engayibonanga
Kodw'uncumil'aph'akhoyo
Sisawuphethe ke lomgaqo

Abamweke banovalo
Bafun'udl'indyebo bodwa
Asingenanga siphelele
Tyhin'upheth'aph'umnt'omnyama

Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka

Tshin'imidaka ibhokile
Nazo nezizwe ziyangena
Tshin'imidaka ibhokile
Nazo nezizwe ziyangena

Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Oh iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka oh hah (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Oh iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka oh ha (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Oh iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabalek' inkosi yamaMpondo (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)

Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)

Overall Meaning

The song "Amampondo" by Stompie Mavi speaks to the experience of the Pondoland rebellion, a fight for independence from the apartheid regime in South Africa during the 1960s. The song begins with the chorus "Iyabaleka (The king of the Pondo is running away)" repeated four times, setting the overall tone of the song. The next set of lyrics "Sasivuswa nangendlovu, Sibethwa ngetong'emnyama" recall an event in the rebellion where the people of Pondoland were hunted down like elephants, symbolizing their powerlessness and the forceful suppression of their movement.

The following lines "Tshin'imidaka ibhokile, Nazo nezizwe ziyangena" describe the last stand of the Pondoland resistance, where they stood strong despite being outnumbered by the government's military forces. The line "Wasithel'okaTambo, Mizamo yakh'engayibonanga" refers to Oliver Tambo, a political leader who was instrumental in the fight against apartheid. The final line of the song, "Tyhin'upheth'aph'umnt'omnyama," translates to "We are being killed by black people," emphasizing the tragedy that the people of Pondoland were ultimately betrayed.

Overall, the song "Amampondo" reflects the struggle of the people of Pondoland against the apartheid regime and the harsh reality they faced. Through its powerful lyrics and melodies, the song captures the courage and resilience of a people fighting for their liberation.

Line by Line Meaning

Iyabaleka (Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka)
The king of amaMpondo is fleeing

Sasivuswa nangendlovu
We were trampled by elephants

Sibethwa ngetong'emnyama
We were hunted with black dogs

Sanyamezela kwanjena
We tremble in this way

Tyhin'upheth'aph'umnt'omnyama
The dark people are killing us silently

Khawuthethele sive
Take our message and listen

Siyaphela loludlame
We are tired of this struggle

Ncedis'uTshwete siyaphela
We need Tshwete's help and we are done

Ndiyayizibula mna intw'enje
I am like a trapped bird

(Inkosi yamaMpond'iyabaleka) Iyabaleka
The king of amaMpondo is fleeing

Tshin'imidaka ibhokile
The hills are trapped by smoke