Asimbonanga
By Johnny Clegg and Savuka
After posting this song in our August edition, we received this beautiful email message, hence we decided to add the lyrics to this edition.
Thank you especially for the Nelson Mandela song. Years ago, we were driving to The Cape for the CEASE Retreat, when Peggy announced that we must stop at a place that had a TV because Nelson Mandela was going to give a speech. So we all piled into the restaurant, sat at the bar, and watched TV as Nelson Mandela spoke a few months after his release from 27 years of imprisonment.
Thank you for bringing back this special memory! Susan
Asimbonanga (we have not seen him)
Asimbonang’ umandela thina (we have not seen Mandela)
Laph’ekhona (in the place where he is)
Laph’ehleli khona (in the place where he is kept)
Oh the sea is cold and the sky is grey
Look across the island into the bay
We are all islands till comes the day
We cross the burning water
Asimbonanga (we have not seen him)
Asimbonang’ umandela thina (we have not seen Mandela)
Laph’ekhona (in the place where he is)
Laph’ehleli khona (in the place where he is kept)
A seagull wings across the sea
Broken silence is what I dream
Who has the words to close the distance
Between you and me
Asimbonanga (we have not seen him)
Asimbonang’ umandela thina (we have not seen Mandela)
Laph’ekhona (in the place where he is)
Laph’ehleli khona (in the place where he is kept)
Steve Biko, Victoria Mxenge
Neil Aggett
Asimbonanga
Asimbonang ‘umfowethu thina (we have not seen our brother)
Laph’ekhona (in the place where he is)
Laph’wafela khona (in the place where he died)
Hey wena (hey you!)
Hey wena nawe (hey you and you as well)
Siyofika nini la’ siyakhona (when will we arrive at our destination)
