Chaka Chaka started singing at 19 in 1985 when Phil Hollis of Dephon Records discovered her in Johannesburg. Shortly after, her debut album "I’m in Love With a DJ", sold 35,000 copies, and the title track became an instant hit.
Songs like "I'm Burning Up", "I Cry for Freedom", "Makoti", "Motherland" and the ever-popular, "Umqombothi" immediately ensured Chaka Chaka's status as a star on South Africa's mbaqanga music scene.
Chaka Chaka had it tough growing up. Her father died when she was 11 and her mother, a domestic worker, brought up three daughters on her meagre 40 Rand a month salary.
She has two diplomas from the University of South Africa, one in adult education, another in local government, management and administration. She also studied speech and drama at Trinity College, London, qualifying in 1997.
Releasing hit after hit, Chaka Chaka's subsequent award winning albums include "Burning Up", "Sangoma", "Who’s The Boss", "Motherland", " Be Proud to be African", "Thank You Mr DJ", "Back on my Feet", "Rhythm of Life", "Who's got the Power", "Bombani ( Tiko Rahini), "Power of Afrika", "Yvonne and Friends" and "Kwenzenjani".
Chaka Chaka owns a limousine company together with her husband, Dr Mandlalele Mhinga, has her own music label and her own production company. She teaches literacy part time at the University of South Africa, sits on several boards of charitable organisations and NGOs, and serves on the board of the Johannesburg Tourism Company.
Throughout her illustrious career Chaka Chaka has met people like Nelson Mandela (singing at his 85th birthday party), the Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Oprah Winfrey.
Chaka Chaka's continuing legacy as "Princess of Africa" is a testament to her connection to everyday people as well as royalty. Whether she is performing for Kings and Queens, Presidents and First Ladies or corporate concerts; she always returns to those she loves - her fans and family of listeners in South African cities, townships and rural areas.
"Mama Africa", the late Miriam Makeba described her as "She’s my baby!", Hugh Masekela adds that Yvonne is "my mad niece". Legends Dolly Rathebe and Dorothy Masuka describe Yvonne's music as "something that all should listen to".
Kana Uchema
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ngatigovanei Nyika
Ndochido changu
Kukuona Uchinyemwerera
Ganda rako rakasvibirira
Bvudzi rako rakafanana nerangu
Ukama hunotibatanidza
Ndehwemakore akawanda
Kana uchema
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Kana uchema
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Mai ne mwana
Varere vakafa musango
Apo mwumwe murume aripadambudziko
Muzita rehondo
Mai ne mwana
Varere vakafa musango
Apo mwumwe murume aripadambudziko
Muzita rehondo
Kana uchema
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Kana uchema
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Mai ne mwana
Varere vakafa musango
Apo mwumwe murume aripadambudziko
Muzita rehondo
Ganda rako rakasvibirira
Bvudzi rako rakafanana nerangu
Ukama hunotibatanidza
Ndehwemakore akawanda
Kana uchema
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Kana uchema
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Kana uchema (Kana uchema)
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Kana uchema (Taridza rudo rushoma)
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Kana uchema (Kana uchema)
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa (Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa)
When You cry , When you cry (Kana uchema)
Don't cry brother don't you cry sister
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Taridza rudo rushoma
Kana uchema (Kana uchema)
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Kana uchema (Kana uchema)
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
When You cry , When you cry, When You cry (Kana uchena)
Don't you cry brother ,don't you cry sister
I feel it, I feel it here
Kana uchema (Kana uchema)
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa (Taridza rudo rushoma)
Kana uchema (Kana uchema)
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa (Taridza rudo rushoma)
The song "Kana Uchema" by Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a poignant and moving expression of grief and emotional pain. The lyrics express the profound sadness of losing loved ones, particularly mothers and children, and the deep emotional wounds that can result from such losses. The opening lines draw attention to the importance of unity in difficult times, noting that even when we are separated by distance and hardship, we must come together and support each other.
The verses then move on to depict the painful experiences of loss and mourning, painting a picture of family members and loved ones grieving and struggling to cope with profound sadness and heartbreak. Throughout the song, there is a sense of deep empathy and compassion for those who are suffering, with the vocalist urging listeners not to give up hope or lose faith in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Kana Uchema" is a deeply moving and powerful song that speaks to the universality of human pain and the importance of connection and community in the face of suffering. It is a song that can bring comfort and solace to those who are struggling, reminding them that they are not alone and that others share their experiences of loss and heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Iwe neni
You and me
Ngatigovanei Nyika
Let's protect our country
Ndochido changu
My wish
Kukuona Uchinyemwerera
I see you doubting yourself
Ganda rako rakasvibirira
Your hut is collapsing
Bvudzi rako rakafanana nerangu
Your cow is like my cow
Ukama hunotibatanidza
Friendship brings us together
Ndehwemakore akawanda
For many years
Kana uchema
When you cry
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
I feel my heart breaking
Mai ne mwana
Mother and child
Varere vakafa musango
Dead bodies are on the street
Apo mwumwe murume aripadambudziko
And that one man is sick
Muzita rehondo
In the name of war
Taridza rudo rushoma
Show me pure love
When You cry , When you cry (Kana uchema)
When you cry, don't cry
Don't cry brother don't you cry sister
Don't cry, brother, don't cry, sister
Kana uchema (Taridza rudo rushoma)
When you cry, show me pure love
When You cry , When you cry, When You cry (Kana uchena)
When you cry, don't cry
Don't you cry brother ,don't you cry sister
Don't cry, brother, don't cry, sister
I feel it, I feel it here
I feel it in my heart
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NGOMUSA SIBIYA, YVONNE CHAKA-CHAKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vushemasimbasunungurai
love love love Yvonne Chaka Chaka you are a true legend a well respected lady and artist. May God continue to bless you.I will now translate as best I can into English as I am a Shona, the song is about war and suffering and how we are all affected by it regardless of what country you are from as we are all brothers and sisters.
Kana Uchema...when you cry.
Ngatigovanei ino nyika
Let us share this land
Ndochido changu
Thats my wish/desire
Ganda rako rakasvibira
Your skin is dark
Vhudzi rako rakafanana nerangu
Your hair is just like mine
Ukama hunotibatanidza ndehwemakore akawanada
We have been related for many years
Chorus.
Kana wochema ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
When you cry I feel my heart aching
Mai nemwana warere wakafa musango
Mother and child lay dead in the forest
Apo mumwe murume aripadambudziko muzita rehondo
Another man is suffering in the name of war or because of war.....×2
@luthandotshwenya7459
The lyrics to this beautiful and powerful song (written in Shona and English) are as follows;
Verse 1:
Iwe neni (You and me)
Ngatigovanei nyika (Lets share the land)
Ndochido changu (It is my wish)
Kukuona uchinyemrera (To see you smiling)
Ganda rako rakasvibirira (Your skin is just as dark)
Bvudzi rako rakafanana nerangu (Your hair is like mine)
Ukama hunotibatanidza (The bond that holds us)
Ndehwemakore akawanda (Sterms from a long time)
Chorus:
Kana uchema (When you cry)
Ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa (I feel pain in my heart)
X2
Verse 2:
Mai ne mwana (Mother and child)
Varere vakafa musango (Lay dead in the forest)
Apo mwumwe murume aripadambudziko (At the same time there is a man in trouble)
Muzita rehondo (Because of war)
X2
Chorus
Repeat Verse 2
Taridza rudo rushoma (Show a little love)
When you cry,
When you cry,
Don't cry brother,
Don't cry sister,
I feel it,
I feel it here
@nelsonguvava4780
Ngatigovanei ino nyika,
Ndochido changu,
Ganda rako rakasvibirira,
Vhudzi rako rakafanana nerangu
Ukama hunotibatanidza ndehwemakore akawanda
Chorus
Kana wochema ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Kana wochema ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Mai nemwana warere wakafa musango
Apo mumwe murume aripadambudziko
Muzita rehondo
Mai nemwana warere wakafa musango
Apo mumwe murume aripadambudziko
Muzita rehondo
Chorus
Kana wochema ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Kana wochema ndinonzwa moyo wangu kurwadziwa
Mai nemwana warere wakafa musango
Apo mumwe murume aripadambudziko
Muzita rehondo
Mai nemwana warere wakafa musango
Apo mumwe murume aripadambudziko
Muzita rehondo
@elizabethmagonare
Marking the register for 2024? ❤
@mamoe6567
Kae Chaps and Gemma brought me here
Thank you mama
@anesumhembere1384
Yes
@enhancehungwe9027
I love Yvonne Chaka Chaka , this song brings unity , calmness , goosebumps and that African Ubuntu spirit , who else is listening in tribute to the late Tata Oliver Tuku Mtukudzi ?
@sibongilethusi9000
@a
@sibongilethusi9000
4dg
@carlinmaytham5730
❤
@ruvarangutichareva560
I'm Shona and this song just touches my heart. Thank you Yvonne
@agathachitumbi2400
ruvarangu tichareva what does it mean please
@tommaroes8828
Mafura Yvonne Chaka Chaka is actually a Zimbabwean her father moved to South Africa in the late 70s with his family. She lived in the then Salisbury in a town called Mabvuku.Her second name is Machaka