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.

Thongo Lam
Thandiswa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ndicela iyeza
Lokuhlamba
Ndisuse inkhathazo oh nantsi inkathazo
Gogo ndicela iyeza
Yeza lokughabha
Ndikhuphe inkathazo
Ngoba nantsi inkathazo ifika ebusuku yeza nasemini
Oh inkathazo

Thongo lam vuma
Lam vuma
Lam vuma oohhh ye
Thongo lam vuma
lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma

Oh ndicela iyeza
Yeza lokuhlamba
Ndisuse inkathazo
Oh nantsi inkathazo
Gogo ndicela iyeza
Lokughabha
Ndikhuphe inkathazo
Ngoba nantsi inkathazo oh nantsi ebusuku nantsi
Nase mini hey ndiziva ndiphambana
Heh inkathazo

Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma

Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma

Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma

Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma

Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma

Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma

Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma

Ndicela iyeza lokughabha
Ndikuphe inkathazo
Nantsi inkathazo
Ndicela iyeza lokughbha
ndisuse inkathazo (nantsi inkathazo)
Vuma
Vuma

Vumani bo vumani bo vumani bo
Oh vumani bo
oh vumani bo
Oh vumani oh vumani oh vumani
Oh vumani bo
Oh vumani bo
Oh vumani bo vumani bo vumani bo

Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma

Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma
Thongo lam vuma
liyavuma
Liyavuma
Liyavuma
Liyavuma
Liyavuma
Liyavuma
Liyavuma
Liyavuma

Liyavuma liyavuma
Liyavuma liyavuma
Liyavuma liyavuma

(Thongo lam) Thongo liyavuma
(Thongo lam) Thongo liyavuma
(Thongo lam) Thongo liyavuma
(Thongo lam Thongo liyavuma
Thongo liyavuma
Liyavuma

(Thongo lam) Thongo liyavuma
(Thongo lam) Thongo liyavuma

(Thongo lam) Thongo liyavuma
(Thongo lam Thongo liyavuma

Overall Meaning

The song "Thongo Lam" by Thandiswa Mazwai is about asking for help from her ancestors to overcome her struggles. In the opening lines, she pleads for her ancestor to come and protect her from the burdens that she is carrying. She continues to ask for help throughout the song, highlighting that the burdens she is carrying can come at any time of the day or night. Despite this, she is determined to persevere and overcome her struggles, as indicated in the chorus where she repeats "Thongo lam vuma" meaning "my ancestor, allow me".

The song carries a strong spiritual message, acknowledging the role of ancestors in offering guidance and protection. The use of the Xhosa language adds to the poetic nature of the song, enhancing the depth and meaning of the words. The repetition of the chorus further emphasizes the need for her ancestor's acceptance and guidance, indicating her willingness to seek and adhere to their help.

Line by Line Meaning

Ndicela iyeza
I'm asking you to come

Lokuhlamba
To help me overcome

Ndisuse inkhathazo oh nantsi inkathazo
Remove the obstacles, all of them

Gogo ndicela iyeza
Granny, I'm asking you to come

Yeza lokughabha
Come and heal me

Ndikhuphe inkathazo
I'll take out the obstacles

Ngoba nantsi inkathazo ifika ebusuku yeza nasemini
Because these obstacles come at night and during the day, come now

Oh inkathazo
Oh obstacles

Thongo lam vuma
My prayer is answered

Lam vuma
It's answered

Lam vuma oohhh ye
It's answered, oh yeah