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Background

Iyana (It’s raining) is a Zimbabwe-based musical act founded by virtuoso guitarist and producer Trustworth Samende and supreme vocalist Qeqeshiwe Mntambo.

Experiments often give birth to earth moving ideas. This was the case with the duo, after having come together to try bridge traditional material with a modern approach, the new sound was too beautiful to ignore. Thus, the ideas exchanged made this into a sound the world needs to hear.

The music is a fresh and rich fusion of Ndebele traditional music. Greatly influenced by the diverse richness of Southern, West and East African styles. The sound created is broad, new and unique, called the Ndebele Afro-fuse.

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Projects

Lyrics

Angazi

Angazi kumbe ngile bhadi mina
Angazi kumbe ngile bhadi mina
pho yini nginga phumeleli mina
pho yini nginga phumeleli mina
ngizama konke angiphumeleli
ngibamba lapha angiphumeleli

Sengiyathe ngiyathe ngingena lapha nalapha
akukho into ephumayo ngenzenjani ngizama konke akuhlangani
ngidingu umsebenzi angiwutholi angazi mina angazi mina angazi

Angazi kumbe ngile bhadi mina
Angazi kumbe ngile bhadi mina
pho yini nginga phumeleli mina
pho yini nginga phumeleli mina
ngizama konke angiphumeleli
ngibamba lapha angiphumeleli

Angazi angazi mina angazi angazi
kanti yini mina nginganqobi kanti yini ngingaphumeleli
Angazi angazi mina angazi angazi kanti yini mina nginganothi kanti yini ngingaphumeleli

hi hi ii hi ii
hi hi ii hi ii
hi hi ii hi ii
hi hi ii hi ii

Angazi kumbe ngile bhadi mina
Angazi kumbe ngile bhadi mina
pho yini nginga phumeleli mina
pho yini nginga phumeleli mina
ngizama konke angiphumeleli
ngibamba lapha angiphumeleli

Sumary

ANGAZI
• This foot taping, head nodding rhythm contrasts a man’s misfortune with the positive vibe to try, try, try again; if at first you don’t succeed try, try, try again. ANGAZI is I don’t know. I don’t know where I’m getting it wrong. I don’t know whether its bad luck. I don’t know whether it’s the tough times… but whatever it is my efforts are coming to naught. Everything I try fails. Every
door I knock on is locked. The light hearted dancebility rhythm of the song lends it the positive vibe that urges you on and on and on until you see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Iganyulwa ezizweni

Induku enhle bo (iganyulwa ezizweni)
ngizoyifumana phi na (iganyulwa ezizweni)
Indunku enhle sizoyigawula phi na (iganyulwa ezizweni)
ngaphesheya kolwandle ngaphesheya kwezizwe
ngaphesheya kolwandle ngaphesheya kwezizwe

Hmm hmm,Hmm hmm, Hmm hmm, Hmm hmm
Hmm hmm, Hmm hmm, Hmm hmm

Ibumbekile (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
yiyo yodwa enhle kuzo zonke (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
Iyakhazimula ah ah (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
Iyacwebezela (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
niyayi bona na (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
ngabe niyayi bona na (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
nansiyana ngaphesheya(Iganyulwa ezizweni)
kolwandle (iganyulwa ezizweni)
nansiyana , nansiyana
nansiyana , nansiyana

Imile phesheya ngale ntabeni
Akeniyi bone indoni yamanzi iyavela

Iganyulwa ezizweni
Iganyulwa ezizweni (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
Wo wo wo wo wo
Ayise nhle indoni (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
nansiyana (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
iganyulwe zizweni
yiyo yodwa (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
Nansiyana ngaphesheya

Ehe uyayizwa ukuthi’thini, uyayizwa
ishaye ishaye ishaye mfana
shayi sginci batshele
Uyazizwa ukuthi zthini awu suka madoda
Wozani wozani madoda wozani nizobona
nanso induku enhle eganyulwe zizweni indoni yamanzi
ubuhle bemvelo ihlukile kunazo zonke isho!!

Idunkenhle bo wemadoda izani
nizobona indoni yamanzi
izani ubuhle bemvelo
ihlukile kunazo zonke
Inesizotha
ihlukile
nansiyana ngaphesheya

Imile phesheya ngale ntabeni akeniboni ndoni yamanzi iyavela
(iganyulwe zizweni)
Ezizweni , (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
zizweni yoo (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
Ma, we (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
iyoo (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
senhle, senhle yoo (Iganyulwa ezizweni)
Iganyulwe zizweni

Summary

IGANYULWA EZIZWENI
• There’s an age old Nguni belief that a good wife is found in faraway lands. This is the flip side of the biblical “a prophet is not without honour, but in his own country…” (Mak 6:4 KJV). The maskandi style guitar celebrates a love found on the other side of the river in a foreign land beyond the mountains. Come all and see and celebrate this love.

Imali

Thina sifuna ethengayo
sizingela yona imali
sphanda sphusher kuphela
singalali emakhaya

Bathi yimpande yesono ingakho
sifuna ukubona imali eyimali sifuna imali
Bathi yimpande yesono ingakho
sifuna ukubona imali eyimali sifuna imali

Imali imali(sifuni mali)
mali mali mali mali (ye ye ye ye)
imali imali ohh hoo
mali mali mali mali(faki mali)
imali imali(sifuni mali)
(mali mali)
mali mali mali mali
Wonke muntu ufuni mali

S’phile kamnandi

Sebenzile mali
sphile kamnandi
onemali kakhali nawu uyazi
manje ukhalelani sebenza nawe

Bathi yimpande yesono
ingakho sifuna ukubona imali eyimali
imali eyimali
Bathi yimpande yesono
ingakho sifunu kubona imali eyimali
sifuni mali eh eh

imali imali(eh eh eh)
mali mali mali mali (heh eh eh eh)
imali imali (mali mali)
imali mali mali mali(mali mali hee)
imali imali(he eh eh) wo wo wo wo wo
mali mali mali mali
(sifuna ethangayo)
mali mali
mali mali mali mali
Woza wena ukhalelani
bona sesiphethi mali
jaiva wena ukhalelani
siziphilela isoft life
Woza wena ukhalelani
bona sesiphethi mali
jaiva wena ukhalelani
siziphilela isoft life

ho ho ho
hoo ho ho ho
ho ho ho
hoo ho ho ho
ho wu ho wu ho
hoho o ho ho
ho wu ho wu ho
hoho o ho ho
imali imali (mali mali)
mali mali mali mali (mali ohooo)
imali imali (ihiiii hi)
mali mali mali mali
imali imali (mali)
mali mali mali mali (mali ethengayo, mali ethengayo)
imali imali (sifuna imali)
mali mali mali mali
sphile kamnandi

Summary

IMALI

This is a mass call for people to get up and work. To get up and earn an honest dollar because…We all want money to do the things money can do. We labour day and night under tough conditions because that’s how to make money. Yes, they say money is the root of all evil, but still we want it because that is the only way we can live good and comfortable lives.

Iyana

Sikhona namuhla sijabulile
izinsizwa nezintombi zojikeleza
nxa sokukhona thina sizocula ingoma
siceli mvula ku Qamatha

Uba mayinethe, uba mayize
Oh mayinethe, mayize
Wozani nizobona nanso isivunguvungu sona siyakhukhula
mabethi imvula iyana
sizo jabula Iyana
Wozani nizobona nanso isivunguvungu sona siyakhukhula
mabethi imvula iyana
sizo jabula Iyana (sizo jabula we)iyana
(giya we) iyana (jabula)
Ngoba ayikho into ozoyenza
nxa ingekho, singekho anizoyi fumana intokozo
okwangoku cula lengoma
ugiye we! ugiye we!
Ihi hi ii
Wozani nizobona (wozani) nanso isivunguvungu sona siyakhukhula
mabethi imvula iyana
sojabula iyana (wozani)
Wozani nizobona( hii) nanso isivunguvungu sona siyakhukhula
mabethi imvula iyana
sizojabula iyana
iyana(iyana) woo iyana
mayinethe imvula
iyana iyana lemvula wozobona sizo jabula
iyana iyana lemvula wozobona sizo jabula
Wozani nizobona (wozani) nanso isivunguvungu sona siyakhukhula
mabethi imvula iyana
sizo jabula iyana( wu iyana) Wozani nizobona (mayinethe lemvula) nanso isivunguvungu sona siyakhukhula
mabethi imvula iyana
sizojabula iyana
woo iyana hiii iyana
(mayize lemvula) iyana he eh eh

Summary

IYANA

A beautiful piece about rain, the source of life and joy. The rain maker is here to sing and dance
and ask Qamata to give us rain. According to Xhosa religion, Qamata is the child of the sun God
Thixo and Jobela the earth Goddess. It is to Him, Qamata, that petitions for rain are sent and it is
Him who gives the rain. So the rain maker is here, therefore the song appeals to one and all to
come around and sing and dance and see the rain IYANA (it’s raining). One verse takes a
beautiful brag that, “There’s nothing you can do when it’s(rain) not there, when we (rainmaker
and you) not there.” Songstress can’t even find the joy of singing this song without you. Without
rain… So come, one and all and gather around.

Ngitsheleni

Tshela nini mina,tshela nini mina
Tshela nini mina,tshela nini mina Thina siphila kanjani na
Thina siphila kanjani thina emhlabeni esikuwo Tshela nini mina,tshela nini mina
Tshela nini mina,tshela nini mina
Thina siphila kanjani thina emhlabeni esikuwo
ngitsheleni bo! akeni`ngitsheleni bo!
akeni`ngitsheleni bo! nitsheleni bo
ngitsheleni bo

yindlale etheni (hayini indlala etheni bo ) yindlale etheni (mabudedu ubumnyama buvele ukukhanya)
yindlale etheni (vukani vusani bo) yindlale etheni (yindlala etheni he leni bo hiiiii)

Mabudedu bumnyama velu kukhanya
endleni zama nina ahlale elila bo
esebenza kanzima ubusuku nemini bo
mayize imvula mayinethe
sifumane intokozo nenjabulo bo
heyi heni bo ,heyi heni bo
wuu heyi heni bo ,ngabe yindlal`etheni bo

yindlale etheni (ingabe kuyi ndlaletheni bo) yindlale etheni (amanina ahlale lila nsuku zonke bo)
yindlale etheni (yini bo) yindlale etheni (hi hi hi hi)

Awu yindlala etheni (Yindla etheni)
yindlale etheni (hayi) yindlale etheni (ahlale lila)
Awu yindlala etheni (ndlala etheni, dlala etheni yini) yindlale etheni (yini bo) Awu yindlala etheni (ndlala etheni , sihleli silila)
yindlale etheni (hi hi hi hi)
Awu yindlala etheni (ndlala etheni , sihleli silila)
yindlale etheni (hi hi hi hi hi)
Awu yindlala etheni
yindlale etheni

Summary

NGITSHELENI

Hunger of any sort is INDLALA. Shortages are also INDLALA. Craving is INDLALA as well… and sois thirst. The big question the song asks is what kind of INDLALA is this which makes women cry every day, every time? The prayer of the song is that the NDLALA comes to an end… that we receive blessings of rains that will usher in satisfaction, love and happiness.

Nikhona

Ah hii he ye eh
Wo oh wo ho oho hoo hmm , hoho haha
Ho wo ho haha
Hee yeii ii I hi ii, nikhona zinyanya
Niyandiva na zinyanya
Nikhona na ndamkeleni
Hii ii
Yii hi hoo ooa
Hoo wu hoo o, o howu ho o oh
Nikhona hi hi hi ihi ihi
Hihi hi

Summary

NIKHONA NA?

There’s so much going on in the world: wars, famine, diseases and pandemics. We’d like to know if UKHONA NA? Are you there? Let’s take a necessary break from all that and gather around here. We are all here, UKHONA NA? The question, UKHONA NA is an equivalent of “Bayethe”, a warrior cry that reverberates the entry of royalty. NIKHONA NA also checks for readiness. Are you ready for this mystical musical journey? Spread your wings and let the gentle wind lift you up. Soar to the highest points and explore the beauty, intricacy and soothing Xhosa music. Enjoy!

Sondela

Kukhona lento endivayo mina
andazi uba yini na
khona lento ethi gqi zhiya uhm uhm
andazi uba yini na
buya iza kum, iza kum dali
buya iza kimi, iza kimi my lavo lolo hololo
Sondela dali sondela (awu sondela we)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yami
Qeqe sondela (nguniki nhliziyo dali)
Sondela dali sondela (awu sondela we)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yam (ngikuniki nhliziyo yami)
Qeqe sondela (sondela)
Sondela dali sondela (awu sondela)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yami (nguniki nhliziyo yami love)
Qeqe sondela (awu ngeyakho,ngunika konke okwakho)
Sondela dali sondela (awu sondela)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yami (hoo lolo helele)
Qeqe sondela
Thokoza nhliziyo
lensizwa ithi iyandithanda
ithi yona ifun`undishada hayi
ndibizeleni umama ndonwabile mna
ndibizeleni umama ndonwabile mna andisenawo amazwi ndonwabile
ndiphelele lilizela mlilizeli
Ngaphelu lwazi anginawo mazwi Ngaphelu lwazi anginawo mazwi
Sondela dali sondela (awu sondela we)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yami
Qeqe sondela (ngikuniki nhliziyo yam we)
Sondela dali sondela (awu sondela dali)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yami Qeqe sondela (ngifunu uku nhliziyo yami we) Sondela dali sondela
(eyami we, konke ngokwakho we)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yam
Qeqe sondela(ngikuniki nhliziyo yam)
Sondela dali sondela (sondela we)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yam (ayayaya)

Sondela dali sondela ( sondela we)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yami
Qeqe sondela (ngikuniki nhliziyo yami)
Sondela dali sondela (awu sondela sondela) ngikuniki nhliziyo yami Qeqe sondela
Sondela dali sondela (sondela we)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yami Qeqe sondela (ngikuniki nhliziyo yam) Sondela dali sondela (sondela my lavo)
ngikuniki nhliziyo yami Qeqe sondela (yeeehe)
Sondela dali sondela (sondela we)

Summary

SONDELA

A warm foot-tapping-head-nodding rendition of a love-struck songstress reciting and recounting this sentimentally awesome feeling that is overwhelming her heart and mind. The ‘SONDELA ngikunike inhliziyo yami Qeqe SONDELA’ in the chorus lends a melodious click resonance that ignites deep seated feelings of love and affection. SONDELA is an affectionate ‘come closer’ my let me give you my love and my heart.

Uhambile

Angisenalithemba ingabuphi na
ingabe usaphila na, umqondo wam uyazula
ezomhlaba azipheli nezinhlungu
zihleli zikhona mihla nge mihla
ngiyazibuza ngiyaziphendula uzobuya nini na

Nguthumile wahamba wangabuyi (wangabuyi)
limkile ixhesha uzobuya nini (uzobuya nini na)
uhambile wahamba wangabuyi (wangabuyi)
lishonile ilanga uzofika nini (uzofika nini na)

Nguthumile wahamba wangabuyi
limkile ixhesha (limkile ixesha)
uzobuya nini (uzobuya nini )
uhambile wahamba wangabuyi (hiii iii)
lishonile ilanga (lishonile ilanga)
uzofika nini

Koze kube nini siphilisana kanzima
abantu baphelile abantu batshabalele
inzondo enjani le, singabantu abanye thina
kubuhlungu ukulahlekelwa ngumntu
inhloko yomzi uyazi na
uhambile uhambile
uzobuya nini na

Nguthumile wahamba wangabuyi (uzobuya nini)
limkile ixhesha uzobuya nini(limkile ixesha jika)
uhambile wahamba wangabuyi (wangabuyi)
lishonile ilanga uzofika nini(uzofika nini na)

Nguthumile wahamba wangabuyi (uhambile)
limkile ixhesha (ixesha elide)uzobuya nini
uhambile (uhambile) wahamba wangabuyi (wangabuyi)
lishonile ilanga uzofika nini

Ngiphelelwe ngamandla ngithemba apho khona uzosikhumbula
nginethemba apho okhona ukhuselekile
konke sengikubeka kophezulu owasidalayo
onozwelo nothando, nginethemba
uzokuzisa ngenye imini sizobonana khona

Nguthumile wahamba wangabuyi (wangabuyi)
limkile ixhesha uzobuya nini(uzobuya nini na)
uhambile wahamba wangabuyi (wangabuyi)
lishonile ilanga uzofika nini(uzobuya nini, uzofika nini na)
Nguthumile wahamba wangabuyi (uhambile)
limkile ixhesha uzobuya nini
uhambile wahamba wangabuyi (wahamba wangabuyi)
lishonile ilanga uzofika nini(uzofika nini na)

ho wo ho wo wo wo
ho wo wo
ho wo wo wo wo
ho wo ho
ho wo ho wo wo wo
ho wo ho

Summary

UHAMBILE

This is an internal monologue of a grief-stricken lover fighting to come to terms with UHAMBILE which means ‘You are gone’. The vexatious questions: where are you-Are you still alive-Will youever come back to me, remain unanswered. The heart replays the chorus over and over: “I sent you on an errand and you went forever. It’s been forever you are still not back”. The heartbreak leads to a painful path of denial and hopelessness… of prayer and supplication to God on high that maybe you are there somewhere… that you are hopefully safe and protected from harm.Finally, time-honoured doubt wears down the soothing antidote that UHAMBILE (gone somewhere) and you will be back, and opens the floodgate of the reality of your heartbreaking death.

Umthwalo

Ngilala ngingalele ngicabanga
ngilala ngikhala ubusuku
yilento engaphakathi kum
yilento ndifun`uyi kupha
ngizokhalela ubani na ngizokhalelu bani na
Ngiswele onga (thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
enhlizweni yami (yami nami ngikhululeke)
Ngiswele onga (thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
enhlizweni yami (yami nami ngithokoze)
Ngiswele onga (thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
enhlizweni yami (yami nami ngikhululeke)
Ngiswele onga (thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
enhlizweni yami (yami nami ngithokoze)
heyi ye eh, hmm hee

Bathi ngiyazenzisa
bathi ndoda ayikhali
ifela ngaphakathi bayangihleka
inyembezi zami
zosulwa ngubani na ah
kodwa inyembezi zami
zosulwa ngubani na

Ngiswele onga (thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
enhlizweni yam (yami nami ngikhululeke)
Ngiswele onga (thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
oh enhlizweni yam (yami nami ngithokoze)
Ngiswele onga (thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
enhlizweni yami (yami nami ngikhululeke)
Ngiswele onga (thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
enhlizweni yami (yami nami ngithokoze)

This song speaks about depression and the pain people carry each and everyday , the song speaks about the heavy load on our shoulders and the struggles of finding a person to carry this load with us ngoba umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu. To my fellow artists we are constantly surrounded by media and we are expected to live in a certain way, but in real life that is not who we are. We do this to gain following not being aware we are harming our young people. This may lead to depression, some they even commit suicide. Lets rather teach our young people to accept themselves, love themselves and learn that its ok not to be ok. It is time to take this heavy load off our shoulders and speak out because you are not alone.

Ngiswel`onga (thwala)
enhlizweni (yami)
Ngiswele (thwala)
enhlizweni(yami
Ngiswele (thwala)
oh enhlizweni (yami)
oh oh (thwala)
enhlizweni yam oh oh wo hoo
(thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
mthwalu umthwalo enginawo
(yami nami ngikhululeke)
mina ngikhululeke (thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
ngiswele ozongithula
(yami nami ngithokoze)
mina ngithokoze
(thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
oh hoo oh

(yami nami ngikhululeke)
oh oh hoo
(thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
mthwalu umthwalo enginawo
(yami nami ngithokoze)
umna ngithokoze hee hoo
(yami nam khululeke)
ngikhululeke mna
(thwalu umthwalo lo engilawo)
thwalelu umthwalo
(yami nami ngithokoze)
hmm

Summary

UMTHWALO

There is a burden (UMTHWALO) we carry in our hearts. Societal pressure demands that we smile to try and hide the deep seated hurt and pain we feel. We live a lie. We fake a life far beyond our means just to be accepted by friends and crowds we don’t even know. STOP: Mental health is real. STOP: It is ok NOT to be ok. Lets take a moment and accept the burden we carry and STOP pretending all is well. Seek help. Behind a façade of lies and deception we cry for an
ear that listens and is willing to lift this UMTHWALO off our troubled hearts.

Xabana

Hmmm woo u ho
Ziphi inkomo, inkomo zikababa
ziphi inkomo
mbiseleni mbiseleni inkomo zika baba
khani ndixeleleni ziphi nkomo
zikababa ebuthlanti
emzini kabawo ziphi na nizigqibile
inkomo zikabawo hii i hii i

Akeni limbiseleni nkomo zika baba
(mbiseleni inkomo)
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba
(xabana ngenkomo zikabawo)
Akeni limbiseleni inkomo zika baba
(hi hi hi)
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba
(xabana ngenkomo) Akeni limbiseleni inkomo zika baba
(zika baba zika bawo)
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba
(ningaxabani ngenkomo)
Akeni limbiselen inkomo zika(mbiseleni mbuyiseleni)
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba

Sisimanga sento nithathi ifa laba zukulwana
inzondo etheni na bantu bakuthi (wooo)
nqandani ndinqandeleni omalume
ziphelile inkomo zikabawo ebuthlanti
ngenzondo nomona (woo)

Akeni limbiseleni nkomo zika baba (wooo) ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba (wo hu wo ho)
Akeni limbiseleni nkomo zika baba (mbuyiseleni inkomo)
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba (bo malume mbiseleni bo)
Akeni limbiseleni nkomo zika baba (yi hi hi hi iii)
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba (xabana xabana ngenkomo)
Akeni limbiseleni nkomo zika baba (mbuyiseleni inkomo zikabawo)
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba

Akenimbiseleni nkomo zika baba
(baphi omalume)
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba
(xabana ngenkomo)
Akeni limbiseleni nkomo zika baba
(mbiseleni mbiseleni)
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba
(ningaxabani ngenkomo)
Akenimbiseleni nkomo zika baba
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba
Akenimbiseleni nkomo zika baba
(mbuyiseleni mbiseleni)
ngoba senixabana ngenkomo zika baba

Summary

INKOMO/XABANA

In traditional African culture, property was owned by men who kept it in trust for the family.
Greed saw this beautiful culture abused by thieving men upon the death of a husband. Women and children were left destitute after the plunder of their rightful inheritance. This has changed.
Both men and women can own property now. INKOMO is an assertive inquiry and demand for the return of a daughter’s inheritance. Relatives have grabbed a dead brother’s estate in the form of cattle and as fate will have it, they (relatives) quarrel among themselves on how to share the loot. The daughter of the deceased man stands up and challenges the plunder by demanding the return of her father’s cattle…her inheritance!

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