Zabalaza is the first solo release from the South African kwaito performer,… Read Full Bio ↴Zabalaza is the first solo release from the South African kwaito performer, Thandiswa Mazwai. Before this album, Thandiswa was most famously known as the lead singer for the kwaito group Bongo Maffin. Zabalaza, Xhosa for Rebellion, is a shining example of the integrative style of kwaito, and Thandiswa has infused this album with the sounds of her roots: kwaito, traditional Xhosa music, mbaqanga, reggae, and even gospel music.

Lahl' Umlenze
Thandiswa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, yindaba kabani le?
Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
Yindaba kabani?

Oh, yindaba kabani le?
Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
Yindaba kabani?

Oh, yindaba kabani le?
Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
Yindaba kabani?

Yindaba kabani le?
Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
Yindaba kabani
Yindaba kabani le?

Ndinebhongo
Ndiyaziqhenya ngawe Mz'ontsundu
Ayeha ndinebhongo
Ndiyaziqhenya ngawe Mz'ontsundu
Halala ndinebhongo
Ndiyaziqhenya ngawe Mz'ontsundu
Yoha ndinebhongo
Ndiyaziqhenya ngawe Mz'ontsundu

Thina siphila ngengoma, (Oyha oha!)
Thina siphila ngengoma (Aw yeh oh)
Thina siphila ngengoma, (Oyha oha!)
Thina siphila ngengoma

Naphina nanjani na,
Sizophila ngengoma, (Yhe uwo!)
Naphina nanjani na,
Sizophila ngengoma

No pain, no gain
So we sustain
Life we attain
And when we're done
Let the music play on
Let alone remain
Let it play on
On and on!

Oh yindaba kabani
Oh yindaba kabani
Oh yindaba kabani
Yindaba kabani
Yindaba kabani

Yindaba kabani le
Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
Yindaba kabani

Oh, yindaba kabani le
Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
Yindaba kabani

Oh, yindaba kabani le
Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
iYndaba kabani

Oh, yindaba kabani le
Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
Yindaba kabani

Oh, yindaba kabani le
Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
Yindaba kabani

Yindaba kabani?
Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
Yindaba kabani
Yindaba kabani?

Thina siphila ngengoma, (Oyha oha!)
Thina siphila ngengoma (Aw yeh oh)
Thina siphila ngengoma, (Oyha oha!)
Thina siphila ngengoma

Yindaba kabani?
Yindaba kabani?
Oh yindaba kabani?
Yho yoh
Uma ndilahlumlenze

Yindaba kabani?
Yindaba kabani?
Yindaba kabani?
Mna ndilahl'umlenze
Mna ndilahl'umlenze

Yindaba kabani le?
Yindaba kabani?
Yindaba kabani?

Yindaba kabani?
Yindaba kabani le?

Overall Meaning

Thandiswa Mazwai's Lahl'umlenze is a powerful and soulful song that depicts a conversation about a mystery with no apparent answer. The lyrics employ traditional Xhosa interjections and phrases that convey a sense of melodrama and mystery. The lyrics also express the idea that the singer is living through a state of confusion and a lack of clarity. Each verse starts with the same question, "Yindaba kabani le?" which can be translated to "What kind of mystery is this?" or "What's going on here?". The refrain "Thina siphila ngengoma" or "We live through music" reinforces the idea that music is a form of therapy or escape from the confusion and challenges of life.

Throughout the song, Thandiswa sings about her struggles and challenges, represented by the expression "Ndilahl'umlenze" which means "I'm experiencing a problem" or "I'm troubled". The line "Ndiyaziqhenya ngawe Mz'ontsundu" translates to "I know I trouble you Dark One," which might suggest the singer is addressing an unknown person or a deity.

Overall, Lahl' Umlenze is a song that showcases Thandiswa's ability to express deep emotions and convey a sense of mystery in her music.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh, yindaba kabani le?
Oh, what is this?

Yindaba kaban'uma ndilahl'umlenze
What's the problem that makes me feel uneasy?

Yindaba kabani?
What is it?

Ndinebhongo
I am a warrior

Ndiyaziqhenya ngawe Mz'ontsundu
I understand you, black warrior

Halala ndinebhongo
Hail, I am a warrior

Yoha ndinebhongo
I'm here, I am a warrior

Thina siphila ngengoma, (Oyha oha!)
We live through music (Oh yeah!)

Thina siphila ngengoma (Aw yeh oh)
We live through music (Oh yeah!)

Naphina nanjani na,
Where are we?