LEAD US, SON OF TAMBO!

Hoyiiini! Hoyina!
Do lend me your ears, people of my land
Lend me your ears and I will bring you a message
We are here today because it was meant to be
Long ago, this day was preordained
By our creator Qamata, together with our ancestors
Let it be so, they unanimously said
Today we have this mother of all celebrations
A day filled with so much joy and laughter
We are dancing like never before!
So much meat – we eat till we can only stare
But we are not satisfied until we reach the bone
Deep in the very bone, sucking so hard
As if we want to know the origins of this marrow

Oh, the descendants of our ancient ancestor Ntu!
What do we say on a day like this?
What words to we use?
But before we know, old experienced elders reason and pronounce with conviction
Ah! Tambo, ancient bone of our great ancestors!
Ah! Tambo, the anchor bone so many had to hold onto
Ah! Tambo, the bone whose marrow never runs dry
Sharing wisdom, integrity, and love
Yes indeed, many who knew you say it repeatedly
You were a cyclone!
One whose massive influence was for building
Future leaders, young men and women
Who so needed your wisdom
Yes indeed, Cyclone of unity they call you!
You united opposing forces
You created strong relations for us in foreign lands
That is why we are gathered here today
Holding onto that solid bone of unity that you represent
Emperor of Leadership in Africa!

Wherever you are today, in that vast hereafter
With countless pioneers and freedom fighters
We know you are looking at us
You see the youth of today learning to stand
Taking small steps, running, falling, gripped with fear!
But they stand again and run again!

Current dishonesty, struggles for power and positions
You see them all
Apologies! Apologies to you father Tambo!
Apologies! Daughters and sons of Africa!
Your teachings we will try to remember
We will try to hold each other and revive
The values you espoused

Our voices will break into song that resounds
Throughout the land, bringing joy to even the birds
Of heaven, together we will sing:
Tambo, leads us all, son of Tambo
Help us rebuild our nation, lead us
Son of Tambo!

Here I pause . . .
Here I pause . . .

Sikhokele Mfo ka Thambo!

Sikhokele Mfo ka Thambo!

Hoyiiini! Hoyina!
Ndibolekeni indlebe mawethu
Ndibolekeni indlebe ndize nendaba
Silapha nje namhle bekufanele
Kaloku kudaloo le mini yatyunjwayo
nguQamata kwanezinyanya zakwaNtu
Kudala bavumelana besithi makube nje
Namhlanje sineNhyikityha yetheko
Sikhululekile sihleka siveze elomhlathi
Siyaxhentsa siyatyityimba!
Sitya inyama de siyijamele
Kodwa asanelisekanga singekadibani
Nomongo, Sibambe ithambo
Silikhukhuze singe silibuza imvelaphi

O! Sizukulwana sikaNtu,
Kuthiwani na xa kunjenje namhla nje?
Kodwa ke iinkonde namagqala ethu
Ayaqonda aqiqe avakale esitsho esithi
A! Tambo lokhokho nezinyanya zokhokho bethu
A! Tambo dala kade bemqongqotha
A! Tambo lethu elinomongo ongapheliyo
Ngenxa yamava, inkcubeko kwanothando
Ewe kudala besitsho bephindelela abakwaziyo
Besithi wena wawuyi Nkanyamba!
Inkanyamba eyakhayo neyakhulisa
Imilisela nemithinjana yethu ngobulumko
Ewe bathi wawuyi Nkanyamba eyahlanganisa imihlambi
Eyalanayo, yasakhela ubuhlobo ezizweni
Nanamhla ke sidibene apha
Sibambelele kwelo thambo lemanyano elinguwe
Ngangalala yeAfrika!

Apho ukhoyo wena kunye namaninzi
Amagqala namavula ndlela awafela inkululeko
Nonke nisijongile, nezizukulwana zenu niyazibona
Niyazibona zizama ukusukuma, zicathula,
Zigijime, ziwe, zothuke! Zisukume zithathise kwakhona!

Neekrwitha krwithano ezikhoyo zokunxanelwa
Amawonga nezikhundla niyazibona.
Ngxe! Ngxe! Bawo Tambo
Ngxe! Zintombi nonyana beAfrika
Sawuzama ukuzikhumbulisisa
Imfundiso zenu
Sawuzama ukubambana ngezandla
Sivuselelelane

Nentswahla yamazwi ethu entyiloza
Kuvuye nditsho neentaka zezulu
Sitsho ngazwilinye sithi
Tambo, sikhokele mfo ka Tambo
Sakhi lizwe lethu sikhokele
Mfo ka Tambo!

Ndee ncincilili . . .
Ndee ncincilili . . .