Nkeshemba sings a heartfelt melody about devotion in ‘Isibaya Sikababa’. Lyricist Wandile Mkhize writes about a man’s pledge to give up his father’s cattle for love. The song offers a powerful cultural statement about family legacy.
Released: October 3, 2025
Isibaya Sikababa
Nkeshemba
Isibaya Sikababa Meaning & Lyrics (Nkeshemba)
Wandile Mkhize writes that the protagonist will demolish his father’s entire cattle kraal to prove his love. He says the bride’s presence turns his heart into a safe place. The lyricist offers a vivid image of sacrifice and devotion.
Ngaye Ngazikhethela YenaShe’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
Ngaye Ngazikhethela YenaShe’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
Ngaye Ngazikhethela YenaShe’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
Ngaye Ngazikhethela YenaShe’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
Cha Khona Ngikhethe KahleNo, really, I’ve chosen so well,
Uma Ngikhethe Umuntu Omuhle KanjenaTo have chosen someone as beautiful as this.
Uyojabula Owami UmaMy mother is going to be happy,
Uyojabula EjabuleShe’s going to be so, so happy,
Uyojabula UmamaMy mother will be overjoyed.
Cha Khona Ngikhethe KahleNo, really, I’ve chosen so well,
Uma Ngikhethe Umuntu Omuhle KangakaTo have chosen someone this beautiful.
Uyojabula Owami UmaMy mother is going to be happy,
Uyojabula EjabuleShe’s going to be so, so happy,
Uyojabula UmamaMy mother will be overjoyed.
Mama Hlala Phansi Nayi Indaba Ngik’xoxeleMother, sit down, I have a story to tell you.
Ngathi Kulezinsuku Senizom’bona Umakoti WenuI think you’ll all be seeing your new bride soon,
Ngathi Usezivezile Umaqondana Impela UyenaI think my soulmate has revealed herself, it’s really her.
Wangikhipha Emjolweni Mama Wangifaka OthandweniShe took me out of dating, mother, and put me into love.
Ubuhle Bentokazi Unobuhle Igama LakheSuch a beautiful lady, and her name is ‘Unobuhle’.
I-smile Sakhe Singenza Ngiyogiya EntabeniHer smile makes me want to do a victory dance on the mountain,
Iphimbo Lakhe Lisho Umzwilili EmadlebeniHer voice is a sweet melody in my ears,
Ngizwa Umnkenenezo Osho Kamnandi Enhlizweni YamiAnd I feel a pleasant echo deep in my heart.
Kusukela Kudala Sibuya Kude NayeWe go way back, she and I.
Ngangiqala Ukum’bona Wangi-chocka Ngamehl’akheWhen I first saw her, she stunned me with just her eyes,
Wayithatha Inhliziyo Wayiphosa Ekujelini WemaShe took my heart, threw it in jail, and stood guard,
Wayinekeza Uthando Kwawukumuka Kwami LokhoThen she gave it love, and that was the end of me.
Ngicela Uma Utshela Ubaba Umxoxele NgayePlease, when you tell Father, tell him all about her.
Umtshele Ukuthi Umalokazana WakheTell him about his daughter-in-law,
Umtshele Ukuthi Mina Ngiyazifela NgayeTell him that I’m completely crazy about her,
Umtshele Ukuthi Unenhlonipho AkadeleliAnd tell him she’s respectful and not at all defiant.
Muhle Umntanomuntu Impela Mama IsteteleziShe’s truly beautiful, Mother, a gentle soul.
Isizotha Esitholakala Kuye UkhutheleShe has such humility, and she’s a hard worker.
Inkomo Zikababa Ziyowela Emzini OfaneleMy father’s cattle will be going to the right home,
Ngiyoyishaya Iphelele Impela Mama Kuhle KwethuI’ll pay the full bride price, Mother, for the good of our home.
Muhle Umntanomuntu Impela Mama IsteteleziShe’s truly beautiful, Mother, a gentle soul.
Isizotha Esitholakala Kuye UkhutheleShe has such humility, and she’s a hard worker.
Inkomo Zikababa Ziyowela Emzini OfaneleMy father’s cattle will be going to the right home,
Ngiyoyishaya ‘phelele Impela Mama Kuhle KwethuI’ll pay the full bride price, Mother, for the good of our home.
Ngingas’qothula Sonke Isibaya SikababaI’d tear down my father’s entire cattle kraal,
Abafwethu Bayosala BenaniSo what would my brothers be left with?
Uma Int’enhle Itholaka KuweWhen every beautiful thing is found in you,
Uyilento Efuneka KumamaYou are everything a mother could want.
Ngiyos’qothula Sonke Isibaya SikababaI’d tear down my father’s entire cattle kraal,
Abafwethu Bayosala Belobola NgemaliMy brothers would have to pay the ‘lobola’ (bride price) with cash.
Yonke Int’enhle Itholaka KuweEvery beautiful thing is found in you,
Uyilento Efuneka KumamaYou are everything a mother could want,
Uyilento Efuneka KumfaziYou are everything a wife should be,
Uyilento Efuneka KumalokazaneYou are everything a daughter-in-law should be,
Uyilento Efuneka KumfaziYou are everything a wife should be,
Uyilento Efuneka KumalokazaneYou are everything a daughter-in-law should be.
Ngiyos’qothula Sonke Isibaya SikababaI’d tear down my father’s entire cattle kraal,
Abafwethu Bayosala BenaniSo what would my brothers be left with?
Uma Int’enhle Itholaka KuweWhen every beautiful thing is found in you,
Uyilento Efuneka KumamaYou are everything a mother could want.
Ngaye Ngazikhethela YenaShe’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
Ngaye Ngazikhethela YenaShe’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
Ngaye Ngazikhethela YenaShe’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
Ngaye Ngazikhethela Yena (Ngiyosqothula Sonke Isibaya Sikababa)She’s the one I’ve chosen for myself. (I’d tear down my father’s entire cattle kraal.)
Ngaye Ngazikhethela Yena (Abafwethu Bayosala Benani)She’s the one I’ve chosen for myself. (So what would my brothers be left with?)
Ngaye Ngazikhethela Yena (Uma Int’enhle Itholaka Kuwe)She’s the one I’ve chosen for myself. (When every beautiful thing is found in you.)
Ngaye Ngazikhethela Yena (Uyilento Efuneka Kumama)She’s the one I’ve chosen for myself. (You are everything a mother could want.)
Ngaye Ngazikhethela YenaShe’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
(Ngiyosqothula Sonke Isibaya Sikababa) Ngaye Ngazikhethela Yena(I’d tear down my father’s entire cattle kraal) She’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
(Abafwethu Bayosala Belobola Ngemali) Ngaye Ngazikhethela Yena(My brothers would have to pay the ‘lobola’ with cash) She’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
(Yonke Int’enhle Itholaka Kuwe) Ngaye Ngazikhethela Yena(Every beautiful thing is found in you) She’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
(Uyilento Efuneka Kumama) Ngaye Ngazikhethela Yena(You are everything a mother could want) She’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
(Uyilento Efuneka Kumfazi) Ngaye Ngazikhethela Yena(You are everything a wife should be) She’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
Ngaye Ngazikhethela YenaShe’s the one I’ve chosen for myself.
Isibaya Sikababa Music Video
The Isibaya Sikababa lyrics meaning shows how a man offers his entire inheritance for love. It highlights the cultural weight of cattle as a symbol of wealth and commitment.