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

Ntombi Mbali
Vusi Mahlasela Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Aowee nayi intombi madoda sengithi ngi ya ishela
Ngizwa nigshawa luwalo
Ngizwa nigshawa luwalo
Nigshawa luwalo
Se ngizo sitholaphi isibindi soguthi ngishele lemtombi
Bathi umshele agana ngepe
Bathi umshele agana ngepe
Pharamisa inyao dolo la Mavuso

Uyo ishela lentombi
(Chorus)

Awu ze nayo letombi
Nayo letombi ya mbali (x4)

Overall Meaning

In Vusi Mahlasela's song Ntombi Mbali, the lyrics speak about a young woman, who many men are interested in. The singer himself is intrigued by her and he mentions that he is willing to approach her (sengithi ngiya ishela). However, the singer seems to be hesitant and unsure of what to do (se ngizo sitholaphi isibindi sengathi ngishele lemtombi). The woman seems to be aware of the attention she is receiving and people around her are gossiping about her (ngizwa nigshawa luwalo).

In the second verse, there is a mention of a certain Mavuso, who may be an important person in the town or someone with influence. The woman is said to be waiting for him and Mavuso is being painted as someone who has power and control over her (pharamisa inyao dolo la Mavuso). The chorus repeats the phrase "Ntombi Mbali" which can be translated to mean "Beautiful girl". The repetition of this phrase along with the melody creates a sense of admiration and perhaps even longing for this woman.

Overall, the lyrics of Ntombi Mbali explore themes of desire, hesitation, and social dynamics. The song portrays the experience of being infatuated with someone who may be out of reach or unattainable. The lyrics suggest that the woman herself may feel trapped by the attention and control of those around her.

Line by Line Meaning

Aowee nayi intombi madoda sengithi ngi ya ishela
Hey! Look at this woman, guys. I'm going to go talk to her

Ngizwa nigshawa luwalo
I feel a strange nervousness

Nigshawa luwalo
Just this strange nervousness

Se ngizo sitholaphi isibindi soguthi ngishele lemtombi
Now I must find the courage to talk to this girl

Bathi umshele agana ngepe
They say she's not interested

Pharamisa inyao dolo la Mavuso
The medicine man Mavuso advises me

Uyo ishela lentombi
He says I should talk to this girl

(Chorus)
Hey there, that girl. That girl from Mbali

Awu ze nayo letombi
Look at that girl

Nayo letombi ya mbali (x4)
That girl from Mbali

Writer(s): Mahlasela Vusi Sidney

Contributed by Emma F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.