Sjava and Jesse Clegg join forces in ‘Kuye,’ a song from the album iNkanyezi NeZinkanyezi. The duo writes heartfelt lyrics, while also composing a melody that carries the weight of the story. Their collaboration brings a mix of soulful beats and emotional depth.
Released: January 30, 2026
Kuye
Jesse Clegg | Sjava • From “iNkanyezi NeZinkanyezi”
iNkanyezi NeZinkanyezi’s Kuye Zulu Lyrics English Translation
Jabulani Makhubo and Jesse Clegg write about a love that turned cold, comparing it to ‘losing in the finals.’ The narrator describes his ex’s heart as ‘sitting in a cooler box,’ a powerful image of emotional detachment. The musician pleads with God to keep him from returning to a toxic relationship.
Don’t knowI don’t know
I said my heart turned cold like I lost in the finalsI said my heart turned cold, just like I lost in the finals
Awulazi lelozingaYou don’t know that level of misery
PainPain
Inhliziyo ye-ex yam ihlala ku cooler boxMy ex’s heart’s always sitting in a cooler box,
Yinto engenamizwashe’s someone with no feelings at all
I said my heart turned silver like I lost in the finalsI said my heart turned silver, like I lost in the finals
Awulazi lelozingaYou’ve no idea how deep this pain goes
PainPain
Inhliziyo ye-ex yam ihlala ku cooler boxMy ex’s heart lives in a cooler box,
Yinto engenamizwait’s a thing without any emotions
Nkulunkulu ngicel’ ungisizeGod, I’m praying for Your help
Ungangibuyiseli kuyePlease don’t let me go back to her,
Nales’lilo engihlale ngis’khihla njaloand this weeping I’m always pouring out,
Asingafiki kuyelet it never reach her
Baba amandla ayaphelaFather, my strength is fading away
Ngicela ung’size ngiqineI’m asking for Your help to stay strong
Nhliziyo yami ngiyakucela, ngiyakucelaMy heart, I’m begging you, I’m begging you
Asingabuyeli kuyeLet’s not ever return to her
Always undecidedAlways undecided
But we were undivided alwaysBut we were always undivided
I’ll never why we keep on divingI’ll never know why we keep on diving,
We know that we drowning againwe know that we’re drowning again
I won’t let me fight this feelingI won’t let myself fight this feeling
And let ’em out of your wayAnd let them get out of your way,
I’ve been dreaming of this feeling nowI’ve been dreaming of this feeling now
But my heart is still chainedbut my heart’s still chained
Heavy weight on my shouldersThere’s a heavy weight on my shoulders
When I see your facewhenever I see your face,
I know I’m begging, I’m beggingI know I’m begging, I’m begging
To see a new dayto see a brand new day
My heart turned cold like I lost in the finalsMy heart turned cold like I lost in the finals
Awulazi lelozingaYou don’t know that level of coldness
PainPain
Inhliziyo ye-ex yam ihlala ku cooler boxMy ex’s heart stays in a cooler box,
Yinto engenamizwashe’s a person with no feelings
I said my heart turned cold like I lost in the finalsI said my heart turned cold like I lost in the finals
Awulazi lelozingaYou don’t know how intense this is
PainPain
Inhliziyo ye-ex yam ihlala ku cooler boxMy ex’s heart is kept in a cooler box,
Yinto engenamizwashe’s just a thing without emotions
And it’s dangerousAnd it’s dangerous
Something hereThere’s something here,
It’s falling through our handsit’s falling through our hands
My heart turned cold like I lost in the finalsMy heart turned cold like I lost in the finals
Awulazi lelozingaYou don’t know that degree of pain
PainPain
Inhliziyo ye-ex yam ihlala ku cooler boxMy ex’s heart’s sitting in a cooler box,
Yinto engenamizwashe’s someone with no soul
I said my heart turned cold like I lost in the finalsI said my heart turned cold like I lost in the finals
Awulazi lelozingaYou don’t know how cold this level is
PainPain
Inhliziyo ye-ex yam ihlala ku cooler boxMy ex’s heart stays in a cooler box,
Yinto engenamizwait’s a thing that doesn’t feel
Nkulunkulu ngicel’ ungisizeGod, I’m begging for Your help
Ungangibuyiseli kuyeDon’t ever let me return to her,
Nales’lilo engihlale ngis’khihla njaloand this weeping I’m always pouring out,
Asingafiki kuyelet it never reach her eyes
Baba amandla ayaphelaFather, my strength is all gone
Ngicela ung’size ngiqineI’m asking for Your help to stand strong
Nhliziyo yami ngiyakucela, ngiyakucelaMy heart, I’m begging you, I’m begging you
Asingabuyeli kuyeLet’s not go back to her
Kuye Music Video
The lyrics of ‘Kuye’ talk about heartbreak and the struggle to move on. Sjava and Jesse Clegg create a touching anthem for anyone trying to escape the pull of a painful past.