adminTHE late Zimbabwe international football great, Adam Ndlovu, was honoured in many ways after his tragic death but little in song. Among some of the honours was the idea to rest jersey number 13 that he used to wear when playing for the national team, the Warriors. Memories of the late affable Zimbabwean international forward and later coach who died in a car crash that also injured his younger brother Peter, however, remain etched in the minds of many who feel his contribution to the beautiful game should always be in people’s minds. And Diasporans have done just that by penning a song dedicated to Adamski as Ndlovu was affectinately known by his legion of fans.
The song Abantu beBosso, which was released by Sinazo a United Kingdom based group that comprises Lorin Sibanda and Nkanyiso Kitane Dube originally from Bulawayo and South African artiste Velisiwe Mkhize from Ulundi, KwaZulu Natal, is a must listen dedication to Adam and Highlanders as a team.
The group was formed in January this year under the Malaba Discos Entertainment in Johannesburg while the song was written by Titshabona Malaba Ncube who is based in the UK.
Ncube said he penned the song to honour the late Zimbabwean international for the value he added to football both as a player and coach.
“Abantu beBosso is a song I started writing after the tragic death of the Highlanders legend Adam Ndlovu as a special tribute to him. When I got a text from a friend that Adam had died I was shocked and could not express my feelings except in song,” he said.
Ncube said he became so emotional on receiving the news that his football idol Adam had passed on, adding that it was the very week he (Adam) was supposed to visit his home area in the Sigangatsha area of Kezi to scout for talent and had hoped that his younger brother Reagan was going to be picked.
“Things just fell apart not only for the entire Bosso followers but for us as a family too as Reagan’s dream of a date with the football legend was shattered. This is how the song Abantu beBosso was written. I have written many songs, books and articles but every time I listen to Abantu beBosso I feel very emotional,” said Ncube.
“In the song, we honour Bulawayo football giants Highlanders Football Club and all who surrender and fanatically pay homage to the club that defines many people’s identity. We also honour and pay tribute to the entire Ndlovu family for the contribution they have made in the country’s football development.”
The song features South African poet Slivester Isilo Sibanda and opens with clan praise poetry to Highlanders Football Club and later appeals to those not supportive of Highlanders’ cause to stop attacking the team’s players.
Some of the lyrics of the song go like, “bafa baphela abantu wena oloyayo” loosely translated to mean, “people are dying because of you witch” in apparent reference to the death of Adam Ndlovu and other Highlanders soccer legends.
The song goes on to say “kanti limthatheleni uAdamski weBosso ubesenza ngikhumbule ekhaya ngizobona ithimu eshisayo” meaning, why did you take our Bosso player who made me think of coming back home to watch my favourite team.
Ncube said the group was set to release a 10-track debut album entitled Inyatsi which will feature a number of well-known artistes like Tha Vyrass, Vusa Mkhaya Ndlovu, Dumisani Ramadu Moyo and an imbongi, Slivester Isilo Sibanda.
“We will release a 10-track album and Abantu beBosso is one of the tracks, other tracks are Dlozi Lami a house dance track, Usendo featuring Insingizi’s Vusa Mkhaya, Zibuze with a Shona chorus, Moya Wami, a Soul Brothers adaptation and it finishes with Inyatsi, a solid and unforgettable track which is also its title,” he said.
Ncube said the album was packed with potential radio singles, hand-clappy tunes that take listeners back to groovier times and would be available at online stores like Africantunz.com.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter