Tracklist
Sankofa 2024
Sankofa is Thandiswa’s fourth studio album. Sankofa is a Ghanian Twi word that means ‘to go back and fetch what has been left behind’. The making of this work has embodied that idea. Recorded in Johannesburg, Dakar, and New York, the album combines archival Xhosa samples (which were sourced from the International Library of African Music at Rhodes University), jazz and west African music. It includes collaborations with Meshell Ndegeocello, Chris Bruce, Nduduzo Makhathini Thandi Ntuli, and Tendai Shoko
“11 wildly original tunes” Songlines UK
Genres
AfricanRelease Date
May 10, 2024Available Lyrics
Sabela
Sabela Uyandiva na Ndev’
Ilizwi livela ngaphesheya
Hoo bayandidiza
Livel’ ngaphesheya
Ngaphantsi kweetaba zasekhaya
Lihamba nomoya
Hoo bayandidiza
Oh Sabel’ uyabizwa
Sabela uyabizwa
Ulwela isiqu sakho
Uyandiva na Mntan’ omhle
Bakubiza ngelogama
Ngoba umhle
Ho mntan’ omhle
Bakubiza ngelogama
Ngob’ unobuntu
Bakubiza ngelogama
Ngoba umhle
Phendula
Masingalahlekelwa bubuntu bethu
Ho indlela zethu
Ngob’ ilizwi livela ngaphaya
Ngaphaya kwexesha
Oh ilizwi lihamba nomoya
Umoya wakwantu
Oh Sabela
Ulwela isiqu sakho
Sabela
Oh Sabel’ uyabizwa
Ulwela isiqu sakho
Ndiyavuma
Ndiyavuma
Sabela, ndiyavuma
Sabela, ndiyavuma
Ilizwi livela ngaphesheya
Hoo bayandidiza
Livel’ ngaphesheya
Ngaphantsi kweetaba zasekhaya
Lihamba nomoya
Hoo bayandidiza
Oh Sabel’ uyabizwa
Sabela uyabizwa
Ulwela isiqu sakho
Uyandiva na Mntan’ omhle
Bakubiza ngelogama
Ngoba umhle
Ho mntan’ omhle
Bakubiza ngelogama
Ngob’ unobuntu
Bakubiza ngelogama
Ngoba umhle
Phendula
Masingalahlekelwa bubuntu bethu
Ho indlela zethu
Ngob’ ilizwi livela ngaphaya
Ngaphaya kwexesha
Oh ilizwi lihamba nomoya
Umoya wakwantu
Oh Sabela
Ulwela isiqu sakho
Sabela
Oh Sabel’ uyabizwa
Ulwela isiqu sakho
Ndiyavuma
Ndiyavuma
Sabela, ndiyavuma
Sabela, ndiyavuma
Biko Speaks
Kukho iphupha
(There is a dream)
Elisendaweni ebekiweyo
(Placed in a sacred place)
Kukho ikhaya
(There is a home)
LakwaNtu
(For the people of Ntu)
Masivulen' amehlo ma-Africa
(Let’s us open our eyes to see it)
Silibone, Silibone
Makubenjalo
Oh Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
Kukhon' isithembiso
(There is a promise)
Owazalwa naso
(One you were born)
Isithembiso sokuba
Elilizwe ngelakho
(A promise that this land is yours)
Thabatha iphupho
Uzakhale, Uzakhale ikamva elihle
(Take this dream and build yourself a new future)
Makubenjalo
Oh Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
Makubenjalo
Oh Makubenjalo
(Biko speaks) And it is only when black people are so dedicated and so united in their course that we can effect the greatest results and whether this will be in the form of conflict or not will be determined by the future
Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
(Biko speaks) You cannot in pursuing the aspirations of black people operate from a platform which was meant for the oppression of black people
Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
If we have a mere change of face of those in government positions what is likely to happen is that black people will continue to be poor and you will get a few blacks filtering through into the so called bourgeousie
Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
(Biko speaks) So for meaningful change to occur, there needs to be an attempt at re-organizing the whole economic pattern and economic policies within this particular country
Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
(Biko speaks) They are leading black people to a divided struggle—to speak as Zulus, to speak as Xhosas, to speak as Pedis, which is a completely new feature in the political life of black people in this country. We speak as one combined whole directing ourselves to a common enemy and we reject anyone who wishes to destroy that unity. We are, as I was saying, of the view that we should operate as one united whole towards attainment for the whole of Azania.
Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
(There is a dream)
Elisendaweni ebekiweyo
(Placed in a sacred place)
Kukho ikhaya
(There is a home)
LakwaNtu
(For the people of Ntu)
Masivulen' amehlo ma-Africa
(Let’s us open our eyes to see it)
Silibone, Silibone
Makubenjalo
Oh Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
Kukhon' isithembiso
(There is a promise)
Owazalwa naso
(One you were born)
Isithembiso sokuba
Elilizwe ngelakho
(A promise that this land is yours)
Thabatha iphupho
Uzakhale, Uzakhale ikamva elihle
(Take this dream and build yourself a new future)
Makubenjalo
Oh Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
Makubenjalo
Oh Makubenjalo
(Biko speaks) And it is only when black people are so dedicated and so united in their course that we can effect the greatest results and whether this will be in the form of conflict or not will be determined by the future
Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
(Biko speaks) You cannot in pursuing the aspirations of black people operate from a platform which was meant for the oppression of black people
Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
If we have a mere change of face of those in government positions what is likely to happen is that black people will continue to be poor and you will get a few blacks filtering through into the so called bourgeousie
Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
(Biko speaks) So for meaningful change to occur, there needs to be an attempt at re-organizing the whole economic pattern and economic policies within this particular country
Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
(Biko speaks) They are leading black people to a divided struggle—to speak as Zulus, to speak as Xhosas, to speak as Pedis, which is a completely new feature in the political life of black people in this country. We speak as one combined whole directing ourselves to a common enemy and we reject anyone who wishes to destroy that unity. We are, as I was saying, of the view that we should operate as one united whole towards attainment for the whole of Azania.
Makubenjalo
(Let it be so)
Emini
Oh lashon' emini
Oh Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Oh lashon' emini
Oh Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Ishluthu phambili
(Thick natural hair come up front)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Simnyama ngenkani
(We are black by force)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Hooo akho cebo limbi
(There is no other choice)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Amasela akaphum' epalamende
(The thieves should leave parliament)
Ho Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Bafana nihlaleleni
(Why are you young men just sitting there)
Zabuy' inkomo emadlelweni
(The cows have come home)
Lashon' emini
(The sun has set during the day)
Lashon' emini
Oh Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Lashon' emini
Oh Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Ishluthu phambili
(Thick natural hair come up front)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Simnyama ngenkani
(We are black by force)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Hooo akho cebo limbi
(There is no other choice)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Amasela akaphum' epalamende
(The thieves should leave parliament)
Ho Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Oh lashon' emini
Oh Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Ishluthu phambili
(Thick natural hair come up front)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Simnyama ngenkani
(We are black by force)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Hooo akho cebo limbi
(There is no other choice)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Amasela akaphum' epalamende
(The thieves should leave parliament)
Ho Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Bafana nihlaleleni
(Why are you young men just sitting there)
Zabuy' inkomo emadlelweni
(The cows have come home)
Lashon' emini
(The sun has set during the day)
Lashon' emini
Oh Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Lashon' emini
Oh Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Ishluthu phambili
(Thick natural hair come up front)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Simnyama ngenkani
(We are black by force)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Hooo akho cebo limbi
(There is no other choice)
Oh Langa lashon' emini
Amasela akaphum' epalamende
(The thieves should leave parliament)
Ho Langa lashon' emini
(The sun has set in the daytime)
Kunzima: Dark Side of the rainbow
Hmm kunzima
(Things are bad)
Kunzima
Sawuxhentsa sizombelela
(We will dance and sing for ourselves)
Abantu balambile
(People are starving)
Izisu zithenca emqolo kuthwa mabahluth' ivoti
(Their stomachs stuck to their backs, they are told to feed on the vote)
Basifuna sifile
(They want us dead)
Ingabe slwane sini lesi
(What animal is this? What unknown thing is this)
Hmm kunzima
(Things are bad)
Fools for leaders
Their minds left destitute by greed
No souls to speak of
They cannot be redeemed
Fiends for war
There's total destruction
And they're drunk on Moët and Gucci
Things that can wet the coochi
Of those who plan to scam the patriarchy it's anarchy
“Point of order deputy speaker, can the previous speaker please withdraw the word anarchy”
Andinamhlaba andinasdima
(I have no land, no dignity)
Ngexa yesimo epalamende
(Because of the situation in parliament)
Hho ndiyasokol' andinankomo
(I'm suffering, I have no cows/money)
Ngenxa yemeko epalamende
(Because of the situation in parliament)
Hhm kunzima
Kunzima
Kunzima
Kunzima
Samples of the sound of anarchy in parliament
(Things are bad)
Kunzima
Sawuxhentsa sizombelela
(We will dance and sing for ourselves)
Abantu balambile
(People are starving)
Izisu zithenca emqolo kuthwa mabahluth' ivoti
(Their stomachs stuck to their backs, they are told to feed on the vote)
Basifuna sifile
(They want us dead)
Ingabe slwane sini lesi
(What animal is this? What unknown thing is this)
Hmm kunzima
(Things are bad)
Fools for leaders
Their minds left destitute by greed
No souls to speak of
They cannot be redeemed
Fiends for war
There's total destruction
And they're drunk on Moët and Gucci
Things that can wet the coochi
Of those who plan to scam the patriarchy it's anarchy
“Point of order deputy speaker, can the previous speaker please withdraw the word anarchy”
Andinamhlaba andinasdima
(I have no land, no dignity)
Ngexa yesimo epalamende
(Because of the situation in parliament)
Hho ndiyasokol' andinankomo
(I'm suffering, I have no cows/money)
Ngenxa yemeko epalamende
(Because of the situation in parliament)
Hhm kunzima
Kunzima
Kunzima
Kunzima
Samples of the sound of anarchy in parliament
Interlude
Verse 1
Akango walapha
Babesitsho ndisemncinci
Beth’ufike nonin’aph’emzini
Hayi akangowalapha
Verse 2
Bedlala ngam
Bengalaz’icebo likaMdali
Abanye bendibamba ndingavumi emphakhathi
Hawu bedlala ngam
Chorus
Ndicel’ukulungisa ela nxeba lakudala
Ndicel’ukususa, ezonyembezi
Kum nawe mntanam
Reprise
Maye Maye Maye
Verse 3
Thula thula thula mntanam
Sula sula sul’ezonyembezi
Umam’uzimele
Umam’uzimele
NoTatam uzimele
uTat’uzimele
Bandishiya
Chorus
Ndicel’ukulungisa hhehhe
ela nxeba lakudala
Ndicela ubulingisa
B-section
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Kulungile
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Kulungile
Kulungile
Ewe Kulungile
Kudlulile
Akango walapha
Babesitsho ndisemncinci
Beth’ufike nonin’aph’emzini
Hayi akangowalapha
Verse 2
Bedlala ngam
Bengalaz’icebo likaMdali
Abanye bendibamba ndingavumi emphakhathi
Hawu bedlala ngam
Chorus
Ndicel’ukulungisa ela nxeba lakudala
Ndicel’ukususa, ezonyembezi
Kum nawe mntanam
Reprise
Maye Maye Maye
Verse 3
Thula thula thula mntanam
Sula sula sul’ezonyembezi
Umam’uzimele
Umam’uzimele
NoTatam uzimele
uTat’uzimele
Bandishiya
Chorus
Ndicel’ukulungisa hhehhe
ela nxeba lakudala
Ndicela ubulingisa
B-section
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Kulungile
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Kulungile
Kulungile
Ewe Kulungile
Kudlulile
Dogon
Ho banini
Ho banini
Ho banini bezulu siyakhuleka
(To the owners of the skies we greet/pray)
Ho banini
Ho banini
Ho banini bezulu siyakhuleka
(To the owners of the skies we greet/pray)
Ho banini
Ho banini
Ho banini bezulu siyakhuleka
(To the owners of the skies we greet/pray)
Ho banini
Ho banini
Ho banini bezulu siyakhuleka
(To the owners of the skies we greet/pray)
Ho khanyisa Amma
(Light the way mother/creator)
Kudala sisebumnyameni
(We have been in the dark too long)
Khanyisa Amma khanyisa
(Light the way mother/creator, light the way)
Buded' ubumnyama
(So the darkness can move aside)
Buded' ububi
(And all bad things)
Zikhany' izindlela
(May our ways be illuminated)
Wee mamaland wee mamaland
Heal oh mamaland
Wee mamaland wee mamaland
Free oh mamaland
Oh khanya
Zikhany' izindlela
Khanya nkwenkwezi
(Shine bright oh star)
Ho banini
Ho banini
Banini bezulu siyakhuleka
(To the owners of the skies we greet/pray)
Ho banini
Ho banini
Banini bezulu siyakhuleka
Ho banini
Ho banini
Ho banini bezulu siyakhuleka
(To the owners of the skies we greet/pray)
Ho banini
Ho banini
Ho banini bezulu siyakhuleka
(To the owners of the skies we greet/pray)
Ho banini
Ho banini
Ho banini bezulu siyakhuleka
(To the owners of the skies we greet/pray)
Ho banini
Ho banini
Ho banini bezulu siyakhuleka
(To the owners of the skies we greet/pray)
Ho khanyisa Amma
(Light the way mother/creator)
Kudala sisebumnyameni
(We have been in the dark too long)
Khanyisa Amma khanyisa
(Light the way mother/creator, light the way)
Buded' ubumnyama
(So the darkness can move aside)
Buded' ububi
(And all bad things)
Zikhany' izindlela
(May our ways be illuminated)
Wee mamaland wee mamaland
Heal oh mamaland
Wee mamaland wee mamaland
Free oh mamaland
Oh khanya
Zikhany' izindlela
Khanya nkwenkwezi
(Shine bright oh star)
Ho banini
Ho banini
Banini bezulu siyakhuleka
(To the owners of the skies we greet/pray)
Ho banini
Ho banini
Banini bezulu siyakhuleka
Ho banini
Kulungile
Verse 1
Akango walapha
Babesitsho ndisemncinci
Beth’ufike nonin’aph’emzini
Hayi akangowalapha
Verse 2
Bedlala ngam
Bengalaz’icebo likaMdali
Abanye bendibamba ndingavumi emphakhathi
Hawu bedlala ngam
Chorus
Ndicel’ukulungisa ela nxeba lakudala
Ndicel’ukususa, ezonyembezi
Kum nawe mntanam
Reprise
Maye Maye Maye
Verse 3
Thula thula thula mntanam
Sula sula sul’ezonyembezi
Umam’uzimele
Umam’uzimele
NoTatam uzimele
uTat’uzimele
Bandishiya
Chorus
Ndicel’ukulungisa hhehhe
ela nxeba lakudala
Ndicela ubulingisa
B-section
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Kulungile
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Kulungile
Kulungile
Ewe Kulungile
Kudlulile
Akango walapha
Babesitsho ndisemncinci
Beth’ufike nonin’aph’emzini
Hayi akangowalapha
Verse 2
Bedlala ngam
Bengalaz’icebo likaMdali
Abanye bendibamba ndingavumi emphakhathi
Hawu bedlala ngam
Chorus
Ndicel’ukulungisa ela nxeba lakudala
Ndicel’ukususa, ezonyembezi
Kum nawe mntanam
Reprise
Maye Maye Maye
Verse 3
Thula thula thula mntanam
Sula sula sul’ezonyembezi
Umam’uzimele
Umam’uzimele
NoTatam uzimele
uTat’uzimele
Bandishiya
Chorus
Ndicel’ukulungisa hhehhe
ela nxeba lakudala
Ndicela ubulingisa
B-section
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Kulungile
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Hoooo yoo
Kulungile
Kulungile
Ewe Kulungile
Kudlulile
With love to Makeba
[Miriam Makeba speaking]
My name is Zenzile Miriam Makeba kaGqwashu kavuma iketile
And so the President said to me,
“If you ever came to Guinea, where would you like to stay?”
And I chose the region of Dalaba
Mooulouyame
Mooulouyame duniya
Mooulouyame baba
Mooulouyame duniya
Sanou ye moodofe lambe tila
Wadi ye moodofe lambe tila
Ah Guineyen lambe ye awla
La Guinee horonyaden lambe ye awla
Ah Guineyen lambe ye awla
La Guinee horonyaden lambe ye awla
[Miriam Makeba speaking]
So my mother always had beautiful songs, and I learned a lot of songs from her and from my grandmother
I can’t heal anybody but there are times when I can feel things
There are times when I am singing,
And there are times that something else, someone else takes over from me
I can’t explain it really but I can feel it.
Mooulouyame baba
Mooulouyame duniya
Mooulouyame baba
Mooulouyame duniya
Sanou ye moodofe lambe tila
Wadi ye moodofe lambe tila
Ah Guineyen lambe ye awla
La Guinee horonyaden lambe ye awla
[Miriam Makeba speaking]
I can never really leave this country because I have left a part of me here
Guinea will always be home
La Guinee horonyaden lambe ye awla
Guinee Guine
My name is Zenzile Miriam Makeba kaGqwashu kavuma iketile
And so the President said to me,
“If you ever came to Guinea, where would you like to stay?”
And I chose the region of Dalaba
Mooulouyame
Mooulouyame duniya
Mooulouyame baba
Mooulouyame duniya
Sanou ye moodofe lambe tila
Wadi ye moodofe lambe tila
Ah Guineyen lambe ye awla
La Guinee horonyaden lambe ye awla
Ah Guineyen lambe ye awla
La Guinee horonyaden lambe ye awla
[Miriam Makeba speaking]
So my mother always had beautiful songs, and I learned a lot of songs from her and from my grandmother
I can’t heal anybody but there are times when I can feel things
There are times when I am singing,
And there are times that something else, someone else takes over from me
I can’t explain it really but I can feel it.
Mooulouyame baba
Mooulouyame duniya
Mooulouyame baba
Mooulouyame duniya
Sanou ye moodofe lambe tila
Wadi ye moodofe lambe tila
Ah Guineyen lambe ye awla
La Guinee horonyaden lambe ye awla
[Miriam Makeba speaking]
I can never really leave this country because I have left a part of me here
Guinea will always be home
La Guinee horonyaden lambe ye awla
Guinee Guine
Children of the soil
Eh ya ha ye eh
x 4
Selifikile ixesha lesabela
(The time for a response has come)
Mamela umemela
(Listen and listen well)
Singabantu bokuqala
(We are the first people)
Selifikile ithuba lokuziveza ningoobani na
(The time has come to show who you really are)
Selifikile ithuba lokuzibika
(The time has come to speak your name)
Iphi inkaba yakho
(Where is your origin)
Bayeza abakhethiweyo
I'm born under the rock
My father gave me fire
My mama gave me water
I'm three in one
Fallen from the sky
Into my mother’s belly
Shining into the world
I am spiritual
Born under the rock
Ngutata ondiph’ umlilo
Ngumama ondiphamanzi
I'm three in one
Fallen from the sky
Ndawel’ esifubeni ska mama wam
Spiritual
Hhha hhe he
Selifikile babhem
(The time has come my friends)
x 4
Selifikile ixesha lesabela
(The time for a response has come)
Mamela umemela
(Listen and listen well)
Singabantu bokuqala
(We are the first people)
Selifikile ithuba lokuziveza ningoobani na
(The time has come to show who you really are)
Selifikile ithuba lokuzibika
(The time has come to speak your name)
Iphi inkaba yakho
(Where is your origin)
Bayeza abakhethiweyo
I'm born under the rock
My father gave me fire
My mama gave me water
I'm three in one
Fallen from the sky
Into my mother’s belly
Shining into the world
I am spiritual
Born under the rock
Ngutata ondiph’ umlilo
Ngumama ondiphamanzi
I'm three in one
Fallen from the sky
Ndawel’ esifubeni ska mama wam
Spiritual
Hhha hhe he
Selifikile babhem
(The time has come my friends)
