South African Singer Vusi Mahlasela, born 1965 in Pretoria, is known as "t… Read Full Bio ↴South African Singer Vusi Mahlasela, born 1965 in Pretoria, is known as "the Voice" and hails from the township of Mamelodi. He has been featured in the South African music documentary "Amandla!" and has lent his vocal skills to the soundtrack of the Academy Award winning South African Film "Tsotsi".
many in the anti-apartheid movement. His themes include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies. Vusi can also be heard performing on Warren Haynes' [Gov't Mule, The Allman Brothers Band] Live at Bonnaroo release during the song "Soulshine", and the Dave Matthews Band song, "Everyday", from the album of the same name as well as a live version of the song with him which appears on the album The Best of What's Around Vol. 1. Vusi was also one of the performers at the Live 8 concerts.

Vusi played a very mellow pre-lunch solo set to an appreciative audience (those capable of functioning at that hour) at the 2004 Falls Festival that was concluded with a superb performance of 'Red Song' in The Big Top, before joining Xavier Rudd on the main Valley Stage to a raptuous reception.

His album The Voice includes the popular track "Weeping", recorded with Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Vusi joined Mambazo for their October-November UK tour in 2004, and will join them again for their 2007 UK tour, again from October to November 2007 [1].

He and other South African musicians took part in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony where they recalled the days of Apartheid.

In June 2007, Mahlasela spoke of apartheid and performed "Thula Mama" at the TED Conference.

On 7 July 2007 Mahlasela performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.

His most recent album, Guiding Star, as Naledi Ya Tsela (the name under which it is released in South Africa) won him the 2007 SAMA for Best Male Artist.

Discography
When You Come Back 1992
Wisdom of Forgiveness 1994
Silang Mabele 1997
Live at the Bassline 1999
Miyela Afrika 2000
Jungle of Questions (with the Proud Peoples Band) 2000
Soundtrack: Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony 2002
Compilations: The Voice (Vusi Mahlasela album) 2003
Soundtrack: Tsotsi 2005
Naledi Ya Tsela (Guiding Star) 2007

Kuyobanjani Na?
Vusi Mahlasela Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Kuyoba njani na kusasa
Uma mina nawe s'shada
Sime phambi kwomfundisi sisho sithi
Sohlukaniswa yinto yodwa kuphela, ukufa

Kuyoba njani na, kusasa
Uma mina nawe s'shada
Sime phambi kwomfudisi sithatha isinqumo sokuthi

Mina nawe, sohlukaniswa yinto yodwa kuphela, ukafa

Kuyoba njani na kusasa
Uma mina nawe s'hlezi kamnandi
Emzini wethu
Sikhulisa izingani zethu

Kuyoba njani na kusasa
Uma mina nawe s'hlezi kamnandi
Emzini wethu
Sikhulisa izingani zethu

Ngikubone uyintombi
Umuhle, ngakuthanda, ngakutusa
Ngakufaka indandatho
Namhlanje naz' iingane
Ngiyawuthand' umndeni wam'

Kuyoba njani na?
Kuyoba njani na?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Vusi Mahlasela's song "Kuyobanjani Na?" speak about the uncertainties and challenges that come with committing to a future with someone. The repeated question "Kuyobanjani Na?" translates to "What will be the outcome?" or "What will happen?" and encapsulates the apprehension of the singer as he asks whether he and his partner will be able to overcome the obstacles that they will face.

The first verse sees the singer questioning the future and the certainty of their decision to be together. The second verse reveals that they have made a decision to be together and seek the approval of the church, indicating a religious or traditional aspect to the union. However, even with this decision made and the potential backing of religion or tradition, there remains a sense of uncertainty as the singer asks the same question again.

The last verses shift the focus to the joy that the singer feels when they are together and the strength that comes from their community. The reference to "izingani zethu" implies a community or village-like setting, emphasizing the importance of communal support when embarking on a journey like marriage. The final verse speaks of the singer's love for his family and, by extension, his partner's family.

Overall, the lyrics of "Kuyobanjani Na?" express the hope and fear that come with taking a leap of faith in a romantic relationship and the importance of community and tradition.

Line by Line Meaning

Kuyoba njani na kusasa
What will tomorrow be like?

Uma mina nawe s'shada
If you and I get married

Sime phambi kwomfundisi sisho sithi
We stand before the preacher and say

Sohlukaniswa yinto yodwa kuphela, ukufa
United only in death

Sithatha isinqumo sokuthi
We make a decision that

Mina nawe, sohlukaniswa yinto yodwa kuphela, ukafa
You and I are only united in death

Uma mina nawe s'hlezi kamnandi
If you and I sit nicely

Emzini wethu
In our home

Sikhulisa izingani zethu
We raise our children

Ngikubone uyintombi
I see a girl

Umuhle, ngakuthanda, ngakutusa
Beautiful, I love you, I'm proud of you