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".
Umqombothi
Yvonne Chaka Chaka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We MaDlamini Uph'umqombothi
We MaDlamini Uph'umqombothi
We MaDlamini Uph'umqombothi
I work hard every day
To make my beer
(Umqombothi)
To please my people with African beer
(Umqombothi)
(Umqombothi)
(Umqombothi)
(Umqombothi)
I'll make sure the fire burns
To make my beer
(Umqombothi)
My special beer
Umqombothi
(Umqombothi) Is African beer
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We MaDlamini (magic beer)
Uph'umqombothi
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We MaDlamini (African beer)
Uph'umqombothi
I work hard to make them happy
Every weekend (Umqombothi)
Makes them party to the rhythm Makes them dance
This magic beer (Umqobothi)
I wanna make you happy (Umqobothi)
I wanna make you smile (Umqobothi)
I wanna make you dance, dance (Umqobothi)
I'll make sure there's a party
Where they drink my special beer
Umqombothi is magic beer
Umqombothi is African beer
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We MaDlamini (magic beer)
Uph'umqombothi
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We MaDlamini (African beer)
Uph'umqombothi
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We MaDlamini (magic beer)
Uph'umqombothi
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We MaDlamini (African beer)
Uph'umqombothi
We MaDlamini (Everybody) Uph'umqombothi
(Nawu) We MaDlamini Uph'umqombothi (nawu madoda)
(Nawu) We MaDlamini Uph'umqombothi (nawu madoda)
(Umqombothi) We MaDlamini Uph'umqombothi (madoda, madoda)
Wozani kwaMadlamini
Wozani, ngithi wozani, Wozani, wozani, kwaMaDlamini
Come on I wanna make you happy
I wanna make you smile lets boogie together
Umqombothi (Umqombothi)
I work hard every day
To please my people with African beer
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We MaDlamini (magic beer)
Uph'umqombothi
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We MaDlamini (African beer)
Uph'umqombothi
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We MaDlamini (magic beer)
Uph'umqombothi
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
We MaDlamini (African beer)
Uph'umqombothi
(Wozani) We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
(Wozani) Uph'umqombothi (Come and drink my)
(Wozani) We MaDlamini (magic beer)
(Wozani) Uph'umqombothi
The lyrics to Yvonne Chaka Chaka's song "Umqombothi" carry a cultural and joyful message to the listeners. The song speaks about the hard work and dedication that goes into producing African beer, known as Umqombothi. Through the repetition of the phrase "We MaDlamini Uph'umqombothi", Yvonne Chaka Chaka is inviting everyone to join her in drinking the magic beer that is not only unique but also reflects the joy of the African people. She mentions the effort she puts into her craft, waking up early in the morning to ensure that her people have their beer, and making sure that the fire burns to guarantee a successful fermentation process.
The chorus of the song invites everyone to come and drink the magic beer she has brewed, calling out to "We MaDlamini" which means everybody. To Chaka Chaka, the Umqombothi is not just another drink; it is a cultural experience. It is a drink that binds people together, evoking happiness, and calling for celebration. The song reflects Chaka Chaka's pride in her culture and heritage, as well as her dedication to ensuring that through her craft, she brings joy to people around her.
Line by Line Meaning
We MaDlamini Uph'umqombothi
Come and drink my African beer, everybody
I work hard every day
Every day I work hard to make my beer
To make my beer (Umqombothi)
I put in the effort to create my special African beer (Umqombothi)
Wake up early every morning
Every morning I rise early
To please my people with African beer (Umqombothi)
I aim to satisfy my community by offering them my magic African beer (Umqombothi)
(Umqombothi)
This refers to the magic African beer
I'll make sure the fire burns
I ensure that the fire is ablaze to aid in making my beer (Umqombothi)
My special beer
The beer I make is special (Umqombothi)
We Ma Dlamini (Everybody)
Everybody come and drink my
Makes them party to the rhythm Makes them dance
My magic beer (Umqobothi) causes them to party and dance
I wanna make you happy (Umqobothi)
I want to bring you happiness through my magic beer (Umqobothi)
I wanna make you smile (Umqobothi)
I want to bring a smile to your face through my magic beer (Umqobothi)
I wanna make you dance, dance (Umqobothi)
I want to make you dance with my magic beer (Umqobothi)
I'll make sure there's a party
I will ensure there is a party going on
Where they drink my special beer
At the party, they will drink the special African beer I make (Umqombothi)
Come on I wanna make you happy
Let's have fun together and I will make sure you are happy
Lets boogie together
Let's dance together
Wozani kwaMadlamini
Come to where MaDlamini is
ngithi wozani, Wozani, wozani, kwaMaDlamini
(I say) Come, come, come to MaDlamini
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AristideDk
Who's listening this song in 2024 like me??? Don't pass without like my comment
@malebomosotholesotho6545
🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋
@faithronoh1631
🙋♀️
@LandryMugisha-ld3yc
Me too
@gloriakanda4551
😢mee
@iloaniemeka7481
The song is evergreen. The days when lyrics were given great attention.
@rioferdinard4023
Anyone from 2024👇
@anthonylephoi1340
I'm here lol
@alterboyafrica
🥂
@masterh2o_sa
Me🎉