Full Grammar
[Translation]
Nkalakatha…
[‘Tough Guy’/’Top Dog’/’Main man’/’Big Boss’/’Bosso’]
Nganitshela ngathi onombono
[I told y’all I said whoever has an opinion]
Akagqumele isigubhini sikaMandoza
[Must jump into Mandoza’s ring (‘drum’)]
Angitshele yini inkinga yakhe
[And tell me what his/her problem is]
Sbonisane nje ngamadoda
[So we can settle it (show each other) like men]
Nganitshela ngathi onombono
[I told y’all I said whoever has an opinion]
Akagqumele isigubhini sikaMandoza
[Must jump into Mandoza’s ring (‘drum’)]
Angitshele yini inkinga yakhe
[And tell me what his/her problem is]
Sbonisane nje ngama-buddy
[So we can settle it like buddies]
Nkalakatha…
(Ak’na niks buddy, ngith’ uz’bheke)
[(There’s nothing buddy, I’m saying look at/after yourself)]
(Ak’na niks jo, ngith’ uz’jonge)
[(There’s nothing jo, I’m saying look at/after yourself)]
Sowdlal’ ez’kaJanawari
[Now you’re playing January’s things]
Ngithi (gqum’?) udube
[I’m saying (jump?) and just give it up]
Nkalakatha…
(Ak’na niks buddy, ngith’ uz’bheke)
[(There’s nothing buddy, I’m saying look at/after yourself)]
(Ak’na niks jo, ngith’ uz’jonge)
[(There’s nothing jo, I’m saying look at/after yourself)]
…
Ch… Ch… Charlie
Woza siyophola
[Come let’s go chill out]
Please yehlisa ulaka!
[Please calm down]
…
Awu we nkalakatha… Charlie
Woza syophola
[Come let’s go chill out]
Please yehlisa ulaka!
[Please calm down]
…
Awu we nkalakatha
Nkalakatha…
(Ak’na niks buddy, ngith’ uz’bheke)
[(There’s nothing buddy, I’m saying look at/after yourself)]
(Ak’na niks jo, ngith’ uz’jonge)
[(There’s nothing jo, I’m saying look at/after yourself)]
Nganitshela ngathi onombono
[I told y’all I said whoever has an opinion]
Akagqumele isigubhini sikaMandoza
[Must jump into Mandoza’s ring (‘drum’)]
Angitshele yini inkinga yakhe
[And tell me what his/her problem is]
Sbonisane nje ngamadoda
[So we can settle it (show each other) like men]
Nganitshela ngathi onombono
[I told y’all I said whoever has an opinion]
Akagqumele isigubhini sikaMandoza
[Must jump into Mandoza’s ring (‘drum’)]
Angitshele yini inkinga yakhe
[And tell me what his/her problem is]
Sbonisane nje ngama-buddy
[So we can settle it like buddies]
Nkalakatha…
–
Links:
Nkalakatha Meaning
The Kwaito Story: Aryna Kaganof Interviews Mandoza
Mandoza remakes Nkalakatha, adds Afrikaans lyrics
South African Lyrics 