“Umama” by Sjava | Translated | #t004

“Umama” by Sjava is an emotional tribute to his mother. Sung in Zulu, the song blends elements of Afro-soul, hip-hop, and traditional Nguni melodies, reflecting on the sacrifices, strength, and unconditional love of a mother figure. Through poetic lyrics and heartfelt delivery, Sjava honors not just his own mother, but the role of South African mothers in shaping resilience, values, and identity.

(Line-by-line translation)

[Title]

Umama

My mother

[Intro]

Ngikhumbul' uMa

I miss my mom

Ak'savumi (Ngikhumbul' uMa)

I am unable to go on (I miss my mom)

Ang'sakhoni

I cannot continue

Ngikhumbul' uMa

I miss my mom

Ngith' Ak'savumi

I am unable to go on

Ngikhumbul' uMa

I miss my mom

[Chorus]

Sebeth' indod' endala kangaka ikhalel' uMawayo

They say: "A grown man is crying for his mother!"

Tha bafwethu ngek' ni understand

Guys, you will never understand

Ndod' endala kangaka ikhalel' uMawayo

"A grown man is crying for his mother!"

Tha bafwethu ngek' ni understand

Guys, you will never understand

[Verse 1]

Uyojabula mang'fika

She'll be happy when I arrive

Athi uShembe uyaphila

She'll say: "Shembe is alive."

Kule'ngozi zom'gwaqo mntanami ng'yajabula ufike usaphila

"With so many accidents on our roads, my child, I am happy that you're still alive."

Beka i'khwama ke Msamu

"Leave your bags near the altar/shrine

Land' impepho kaGogo erondweni

Fetch your granny's incense from the rondavel

Ng'phahle, ngikhulume nabadala, ngibatshele usemagcekeni

Let me connect and speak to the ancestors, announce to them that you have arrived

Imvul' iyana emakhaya

There are heavy rains in the homelands

Ses'phelile amakhaza

And the weather is extremely cold

Mawubuy' eGoli, cel' ung'phathel' i-heater ngoba ngempela uzong'ngcwaba

When you return from Johannesburg, please bring me a heater or else you'll be burying me."

Yaz' uMa , avunamahlaya

You know mom, you have a lot of jokes

Ngeke ushone ngisak'thanda

You will not die, not whilst I still love you

K'yoba isibusiso kimi ukuthi ubekhona Ma wami mang'shada

It will be a blessing to have your presence at my wedding

[Bridge]

Ngoba uyokwazi 'th'ukung'bonisa

Because you will show me the way

Mase zing'buyela emshadweni

When things go wrong in my marriage

Ngoba uyokwazi 'thu'ukung'duduza

Because you will be able to comfort me

Mase zing'buyela emshadweni

When things go wrong in my marriage

[Pre-Chorus]

Ang'sakhoni, ang'sakhoni, ang'sakhoni

I cannot continue, I cannot continue, I cannot continue

Ngikhumbul' uMa

I miss my mom

Ang'sakhoni, ang'sakhoni, ang'sakhoni

I cannot continue, I cannot continue, I cannot continue

Ngikhumbul' uMa

I miss my mom

[Chorus]

Sebeth' indod' endala kangaka ikhalel' uMawayo

They say: "A grown man is crying for his mother!"

Tha bafwethu ngek' ni understand

Guys, you will never understand

Ndod' endala kangaka ikhalel' uMawayo

"A grown man is crying for his mother!"

Tha bafwethu ngek' ni understand

Guys, you will never understand

[Verse 2]

Into eng'ythanda ngekhaya

What I love about home

Ukuthi ekhaya ak'ngwenwa ngemali (ngemali, yeah yeah)

Is that there is no entry fee

Noma ng'ngasebenzi uMama ung'thanda ngingenani

Even when I am unemployed, my Mother loves me unconditionally

(Ungithanda ngingenalutho)

(She loves me unconditionally)

Noma umhlaba ungang'shaya uzong'thulisa athi, "mntanam' ungakhali" (ungakhali)

Even if the world hurts me, she'll comfort me, say to me "My child do not cry" (don't cry)

Ubukeka ukhathale awuthi ngilande ukudla baba hlala phansi (hlala phansi)

"You look tired, let me bring you food, my boy: sit down and rest"

[Pre-Chorus]

Ang'sakhoni, ang'sakhoni, ang'sakhoni

I cannot continue, I cannot continue, I cannot continue

Ngikhumbul' uMa

I miss my mom

Ang'sakhoni, ang'sakhoni, ang'sakhoni

I cannot continue, I cannot continue, I cannot continue

Ngikhumbul' uMa

I miss my mom

[Chorus]

Sebeth' indod' endala kangaka ikhalel' uMawayo

They say: "A grown man is crying for his mother!"

Tha bafwethu ngek' ni understand

Guys, you will never understand

Ndod' endala kangaka ikhalel' uMawayo

"A grown man is crying for his mother!"

Tha bafwethu ngek' ni understand

Guys, you will never understand