Table of contents
A collection of his best songs and verses from 2022 – 2023.
XamaCcombo wa Mhana Vafana doesn’t kick the door open. He leans on it. Watches the room. Lets the beat breathe and then in sixty seconds na mahlahle, he owns it.
What makes him special, and quietly dangerous, is that he doesn’t need a full song to eclipse you. He kills the competition softly and somehow makes the record better in the same breath. But when he stands alone, the assassin turns poet. Tragic love stories spill out of a lover boy cursed with choosing the wrong woman, delivered in a melodic, sing-along haze that grips the imagination.
Then there’s the third persona. The architect of party anthems that don’t glorify the bottle but confess its cost, turning dance floors into therapy sessions as he cries about what over drinking is taking from him. That triple threat of the predator on features, the romantic in solitude, and the wounded drunk is what makes him special in Xitsonga music.
The Lyric Book of XamaCcombo wa Mhana Vafana (2022-2023 Edition)
Girimambo
Released: 2022
Album: Vu Wala-Wala
Featuring: Team Pero na DJ Sydney
Artist: XamaCcombo wa Mhana Vafana
Lyrics and translation:
E ku na nghoma ya ntsako (There are happy songs), ku na nghoma yo rila (and sad songs), ku va na nghoma ya mina, yendla hinkwaswo (then there is mine, that does it all).
Ni ku nike nkarhi wa mina (I gave you my time), ni ku nyike rirhandzu ra mina (my love), mbilu na moya wa mbilu, u moxa hinkwaswo (my heart and its essence, for you to destroy it all).
I ku kutsekutseku, girimambo!
(Rumble, rumble, walk with me Lord)
Hi leyi nghoma ya ntsako, girimambo!
(And hear my celebration song)
Xivongo e-e-e Dali mamo!
(Of the woman I gave my last name)
Leyi i nghoma ya xirilo, Dali mamo!
(I cry to you my love)
Ni ku ayeye Dali mamo! (I am troubled)
A xi tikhomangi kahle Dali mamo!
(Your behaviour is saddening)
Hayi Dali mamo! (Oh, my love)
Mina loko ni byi twili (See, when I am drunk), ni munhu wo suma nghoma (I’m the kind that sings), ivi ni yimbelela ndlela hinkwayo (all the way home).
Kambe ka leri siku (But on this day), mhe a ni nga dakwangi kahle (I was just tipsy), ma dibe byala masocha via lockdown (because the lockdown soldiers spilled all my alcohol).
Mhe na khensa va le hansi (I thank my ancestors), rikulu dlozi ra mina (for their efforts). Ni te ni fika gedeni (See, when I reached the gate), misisi yi tsuvuka (I felt my bodily hair stand). Mhe a na ha moxangi nkarhi (And jumped to action), leswi a ni hleketelela (to investigate this feeling), ni yima hi fasitere ni kota ku cuvuka (there I stood, watching from the window). Dali a ri na n’wanuna (seeing my love with another man), ende leswi a-a n’wu nyika (bent in a way), hambi mhe nuna wa yena a nga ni nyiki (I have never seen her in as her husband).
Hi loko se ni hlangana nhloko,
(I lost my mind)
Ni tsandzeka ku tikhoma,
(and control of myself)
Ni raha fasitere ni wela ndzeni (Then jump kicked the window and fell inside).
Ni fika ni ku teka, teka, ni ku nyika (And started hammering this man with my fists). Hi mina se ni khoma ni pandza lowa jaha (As I grabbed this boy to rip him apart)! Nkatanga a ku bana mino (I heard my wife say, leave him and face me)! Loko u tiyini bana mino (Hit me. I can take it. Show me you’re a man)!
Ni vula mhana swihlangi (She said. The mother of my children). A ku tshika yeno, loko u tiyini bana mino! [x3] (Leave him and take it out on me since you’re strong).
Ni ku nike nkarhi wa mina (I gave you my time), ni ku nyike rirhandzu ra mina (my love), mbilu na moya wa mbilu, u moxa hinkwaswo (my heart and its essence, for you to destroy it all).
Loko ni tshamili kaya (I was home, chilling), u twa ku Papa Tintswalo (Then she said, Tintswalo’s dad), Yhi n’we mi nyika vusiwana (you look so bored). Teka R20 ya leyo (Here is money), u ya hungasanyana (go drink) na van’wani vavanuno (with your fellow men)! Mbuyangwani, mhe a ni ku mo ni sasa (Poor me, I took this as kindness)! Na xidendani, xi nga ngetela SASSA (And it made sense. The child grand went up)! Kasi mo ni hlongola, va lava ku sesi wa fasa (But what she was telling me is that she wanted the room to bring him)! Wa swi tiva, ku loko ni vuya na rhasa (They would be done by the time I returned making a noise)!
Hee!
Ni ku nike nkarhi wa mina (I gave you my time), ni ku nyike rirhandzu ra mina (my love), mbilu na moya wa mbilu, u moxa hinkwaswo (my heart and its essence, for you to destroy it all). I ku kutlekutleku, girimambo (Spring, spring, walk with me Lord)! Hi leyi nghoma ya ntsako, girimambo (And hear my celebration song)! Xivongo e-e-e Dali mamo (Of the woman I gave my last name)! Leyi i nghoma ya xirilo, Dali mamo (I cry to you my love)! Ni ku ayeye Dali mamo (It’s troubling)! A xi tikhomangi kahle Dali mamo (How you behave)! Dali mamo (Oh my love)!
Kujuka tana wa sala na? [x2]
(But can we move on from this)
Rirhandzu i bhofu wa ala na? [x2]
(Love truly blind, do you see it now)
Wa ala na? [x2] (Do you)
Combo ya Tingwenya
Released: 2023
Artist: Seamy The Pro
Featuring: XamaCcombo wa Mhana Vafana
Lyrics and translation:
Xa Madanger! (It’s Mr Danger)
Ku davuka phaxani (shoes rip apart),
Hi ri ku biwa ritshuri (dust erupts),
loko hi nghena gigini n’wananga (when we arrive at the spot).
Ta vuya ku na Seamy The Pro n’wanango (It’s going down, Seamy The Pro is here). Xi khome Khombinyo n’wananga (with the Ronaldino of the party scene). Ta vuya ku na Seamy The Pro n’wanango (it’s going down, Seamy The Pro is here). Ha na Khombinyo n’wananga (The Ronaldino of the party scene is here too)!
Xay-xay!
Xa Madanger! (It’s Mr Danger)
Ni ku ahee madalo! (Salute grandfather)
A ni ku tlanga mfanya! dance my boy) [wa twa bombo]
[Wa twa] Ahee mfananya! (Yes, my boy) Tlanga mfanyana! (Dance my boy).
[Xay-xay!]
Switori swa Magayisa
Released: 2023
Artist: Salani The Producer, XamaCcombo wa Mhana Vafana, na HuzzBeatz
Lyrics and translation:
Ahee, Ahee n’wana Bote [x2] (Hello nephew)! Ahh n’wana Butiza (Son of my brother)! Ahee, Ahee n’wana Bote, hha (Greetings to you)!
Ma swi twa switori swa le byaleni?
(Here he goes with his drunken stories)
Ma na switori Magayisa, hha!
(These Gauteng guys are full of stories)
Ma swi twa switori swa le byaleni?
(Gents, are you hearing this guy)
I switori swa Magayisa!
(He is telling yet another story about Gauteng)
“Drip ya leyo ni siye Joni (See your drip, I have it too. I left it in Gauteng), ni jog hi yona n’wana Bote (it’s what I wear when I go jogging nephew). Ka swayipiwa la ka Ndhuma (Do they swipe here)? He hi jahela ku tap le ka Sipho (I’m not here long anyway, I heard they tap at Sipho’s place). Va hlamala vantwana va ku Cashy (The women are always stunned; they even call me Cash)! Kasi a mi heleli he ka Lekky (Mr Nicetime, does your money not finish? They ask). Va hlamala ri nga decline (Each time I swipe), vo mangala ri nga decline (and it doesn’t decline)!“
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
Xa-xa-xa-xa-xa!
“I XamaCcombo The Tapist.
(It’s him, The Tapist)
Va ku XamaCcombo The Swipist.
(Hello Mr. Danger, The Swipist)
A mi hi zameni hi Pinetwist.
(How about you buy us Pinetwist)
Va ku xa, xa Madanger (Please Mr Danger). Vo hlamala ri ku approve, ahh ri ku approve (It’s unbelievable each time I swipe).
“Ah, se wa vona he Mtwana (My boy, look). Leswa ka Ndhuma swa n’wina swa hlwela (Ndhuma’s place is slow). Hina hi hina vini va Joni mpela. Hi hina vini va Joni (We party in top places back in Gauteng. We run Jozi). KONKA ya liya u yi tivaku Mtwana (let me tell you, see the famous Konka club), ni makhelwani wa yona, straight (it’s just opposite my house). Ah, wa ha hlamala swa KONKA. Mamkhize (And that’s nothing. See, Mamkhize)! Wa loye loko a twa byala a dakwini (See that one. When she is sloshed), i byi lata le ka mina mus (she sleeps at my place). Ni ngo no n’wi Whatsapp sweswi (let me Whatsapp her right now), a ni sendela 20 meter ya byala ntsena (I bet she will send me 20 million to just buy alcohol). Se, vona he Mtwana (Son, look). Mamkhize sweswi u tava a tlele (Mamkhize is already in bed now), a wu pfi u xavi thwelufunyana (buy 12 beers in the meantime). Hi ta n’wu Whatsapp nampundzu (We will Whatsapp her in the morning). Ni ta ku pfala mundzuku nampundzu (I will pay you back in the morning).”
Va ku ha n’wana Bote (Nephew)!
Ntsena u tise CV n’wana Bote.
(While you are at it send me your CV)
Wo xava sikisi n’wana Bote (Just buy a six pack, son). Ni Manejara ni tirhaku (I’m the manager at work). Haaa, n’wana Bote (I’m telling you nephew)! Chesa n’wana Butizaaa (Oh yes, my brother’s son)!
Mi bayizisa hi tiPolo ta va Ganyex.
(Don’t let Ganyex’s Polo fool you)
Va ta mi tlanga na vo Fukza.
(They will use you with Fukza)
Movha ya Mavasa phela i Uber.
(Did you know that Mavasa drives an uber), a hi ya yena, n’wana Bote (that’s not his car). Haaa n’wana Bote (I’m telling you nephew).
Xiyaxiyani n’wana Bote (Be careful nephew). Mi tle na vanhu va wrong n’wana Bote (especially the people you sleep with), a va na nchumu n’wana Bote. (They have nothing son). Ahh… n’wana Bote, va tlela hi nyala kwale Jone! Haa (Nephew these girls have nothing in Gauteng; they live on an onion diet).
Huzzbeatz, ni ku sete (It’s Huzzbeatz)! Na Salani, The Producer (And Salani The Producer)! Xa, xa-xa! Ma ku one! Let’s go! Xa (With me. It’s a hit)!
Haaa! He Magayisa! (Nah Gauteng people). Ni ku leswi i switori swa Magayisa. Haaa (You have too many stories)… Sho! Lekki, my manager! Aweh!
Xikimi xa Hansahansa
Released: 2023
Produced by: Salani The Producer
Artist: XamaCcombo wa Mhana Vafana
Lyrics and translation:
Ti mhaka ta kona. [Ma ti twa?]
(Here is a trouble tale)
Leti ti nga na XamaCcombo na Sekere!
(The tale of XamaCcombo and Sekere). I vafana va hansahansa, a va tleli makaya (Troublesome boys known for not sleeping). A hi swi tivi vo pfumala mikumba ki. [Ma ti twa?] (Who knows, maybe they don’t have blankets).
I XamaCcombo xi fikile! (First, it’s XamaCcombo) [x2]
Xi va nga hansahansa xikimi lexi! [x2]
(The ringleader of this chaos)
A xi rhandzi ku tlela xikimi lexi!
(With his friends who detest sleep)
Xi ku ku rhandza byala xikimi lexi! (And worship alcohol). A xi lolohi ku ku tela hi ma seven! (The kind who show up at your door by 7am). N’we vanghana hi ya kwini? Hi ya tavern! (Friends, but where are we off to? To the tavern). Aah, xa ni moxa xikimi lexi! (But these guys, they are demeaning me). A xi na ku yutha xikimi lexi? (Is this not stupidity).
[Ma ti twa] [x3] (And so, the story continues).
Matshivela, ni twa ku nsati u fambile!
(I hear Matshivela lost his wife)
Loyi Mimosa, ve ri nuna u lan’wile!
(They say Mimosa’s husband deserted their home)
He majaha, xa hi moxa xikimi lexi!
(Gents, this friendship is ruining our lives)
He madoda, xa hi moxa xikimi lexi!
(Men, our lifestyle is ending us)
A xi foni na ku fona xikimi lexi!
(They don’t even call beforehand)
A ta twa ku Ahee, Ahee n’wana Bote!
(They just appear at your home like family). Va ku munghana hi ri pfuka hi ya tavern! (Just to wake you to take to the tavern). He Vanghana mo ni tela hi ma seven! (But gents, it’s 7am). Ni ku haa, xikimi lexi! (This is wrong, gents)
Mhe na xisola xikimi lexi! (I’m not pleased with these friends).
Ende xitiyili skimi lexi! [x2]
(Worse, they can afford this lifestyle)
Na Lekki xi tshama xi jimile!
(Lekker has deep pockets)
Na Hloni xi tshama xi jimile! (Hloni too). Aah, mara skimi lexi! (There is nothing to stop us). Xi ta ni dlaya hi byala, skimi lexi! (They are going to killing me with alcohol). Va Speedy, xi ku sete hi mabodlela! (Just as Speedy buys bottles). Makuwani, xi ku ni koho hi mabodlela! (Makuwani buys more to prove a point). Aah, mara xikimi lexi! (These guys). Xa ni moxa xikimi lexi! (This is too much).
He loko Lekki xi nghena va tsaka ngopfu! (Oh, and it gets worse when Lekki arrives). He loko Cashy xi nghena va tsaka ngopfu! (And even worse with Cashy walks in). Va ku xa xa xa, XamaCcombo! XamaCcombo i skeem!
(They call my name and call me friend)
Na Hlonipho i skeem (I’m talking about Hlonipho)! Na Salani i skeem (And Salani)! Ma rivala, na Panyas i skeem (Panyas too)!
U nge swi byeli hi groza, swi timile!
(They switch off when you tell them about groceries)
U swi byela hi ti Jagermeister, xi tsaka ngopfu!’
(But if you tell them about Jagermeister, they come alive)
Aah mara skeem! Ni ku lexi i xikimi!
(But friends, do you not see that alcohol is a scheme formed against us)
[Timhaka ta kona ta tika, i hoyihoyi]
(And so, the struggle continues)
“Keep exploring, keep learning, and let the language guide you.“
