Nkeshemba delivers a stark voice that reflects deep remorse. Lyricists Nkeshemba and Wandile Mkhize shape the confession, while composers Nkeshemba, Wandile Mkhize, and Jabulile provide a somber backdrop. The mood feels like a solitary letter from a confined space.
Released: August 25, 2025
Ngixolele Mtanami
Nkeshemba
Ngixolele Mtanami Lyrics English Translation by Nkeshemba
Nkeshemba admits he chose a gun to secure food for his child, saying he acted so the child could grow well. He repeats that even though he is now in jail, his thoughts remain on the mother and child’s hunger.
Bengicela Ungixolele Mama WomtanamiPlease forgive me, mother of my child.
Angibanga Khona Es’bhedlelaI wasn’t there at the hospital.
Bengithi Ngiyozama Ngizamela ThinaI thought I was striving, striving for us.
Bengifisa Ukuba NaweI wished to be with you.
Bengicela Ungixolele Ngane YamiPlease forgive me, my child.
Angibanga Khona Ekuzalweni KwakhoI wasn’t there for your birth.
Bengithi Ngiyozama Ngizamela ThinaI thought I was striving, striving for us.
Bengifisa Ukuba NaweI wished to be with you.
Ngesikhathi Umama Wakho Engitshela Ukuthi UkhululweWhen your mother told me that you were born,
Ngangingasebenzi Ngenayo Nemali YokudlaI was unemployed and had no money for food.
Namathuba Emisebenzi Ngalesosikhathi AyengekhoAnd job opportunities at that time were nonexistent.
Ngathatha Isinqumo Sokuthatha I’b#mu NgiyokhombaI made the decision to pick up a g#n and rob.
Ngesikhathi Umama Wakho Engitshela Ukuthi UkhululweWhen your mother told me that you were born,
Ngangingasebenzi Ngenayo Nemali YokudlaI was unemployed and had no money for food.
Namathuba Emisebenzi Ngalesosikhathi AyengekhoAnd job opportunities at that time were nonexistent.
Ngathatha Isinqumo Sokuthatha I’b#mu NgiyokhombaI made the decision to pick up a g#n and rob.
Kukhona Konke Mtanami Ngangenzela Ukuthi Uphile KahleThrough it all, my child, I did it so you’d live well.
Kukhona Konke Mtanami Ngangenzela Ukuthi Ukhule KahleThrough it all, my child, I did it so you’d grow up well,
Ufane Nabanye Abantwana Nawe Ugqoke KahleTo be like other children, and dress well too,
Yize Ngaphelela EjeleEven though I ended up in jail.
Kukhona Konke Mtanami Ngangenzela Ukuthi Uphile KahleThrough it all, my child, I did it so you’d live well.
Kukhona Konke Mtanami Ngangenzela Ukuthi Ukhule KahleThrough it all, my child, I did it so you’d grow up well,
Ufane Nabanye Abantwana Nawe Ugqoke KahleTo be like other children, and dress well too,
Yize Ngaphelela EjeleEven though I ended up in jail.
Ngazama Ngahluleka MtanamiI tried and I failed, my child.
Kumanje Ngizibona ‘Ngesikhulu Is’hlulekiRight now I see myself as the greatest failure.
Angikwazi Nokulala Ubuthongo NgikhathazekileI can’t even fall asleep, I’m so worried,
Ukuthi Lapho Enikhona Nomawakho Ngabe NidlileWondering if you and your mother have had enough to eat.
Ngazama Ngahluleka MtanamiI tried and I failed, my child.
Kumanje Ngizibona ‘Ngesikhulu Is’hlulekiRight now I see myself as the greatest failure.
Angikwazi Nokulala Ubuthongo NgikhathazekileI can’t even fall asleep, I’m so worried,
Ukuthi Lapho Enikhona Nomawakho Ngabe NidlileWondering if you and your mother have had enough to eat.
Ang’sazi Ngiyophuma Kanjani NaI don’t know how I’ll ever get out.
Ang’sazi Ngiyokubona Kanjani NaI don’t know how I’ll ever see you.
Angazi Ngiyok’thinta Kanjani WemtanamiI don’t know how I’ll ever touch you, my child.
Ngagwetshwa Udilika Jele WemtanamiI’ve been sentenced to life in prison, my child.
Ngagwetshwa Udilika Jele WemtanamiI’ve been sentenced to life in prison, my child.
Ngagwetshwa Udilika Jele WemtanamiI’ve been sentenced to life in prison, my child.
Angazi Ngiyok’bona Kanjani WemtanamiI don’t know how I’ll ever see you, my child.
Ngagwetshwa Udilika Jele WemtanamiI’ve been sentenced to life in prison, my child.
Ngagwetshwa Udilika Jele WemtanamiI’ve been sentenced to life in prison, my child.
Ngagwetshwa Udilika Jele WemtanamiI’ve been sentenced to life in prison, my child.
Angazi Ngiyok’thinta Kanjani WemtanamiI don’t know how I’ll ever touch you, my child.
Ngagwetshwa Udilika Jele WemtanamiI’ve been sentenced to life in prison, my child.
Ngikhumbula Umama Womtanami YeleleI miss the mother of my child, oh my.
Ngikhumbula Ingane Yami Wowu YeleleI miss my baby, oh my.
Ngikhumbula Ingane Yami Wowu YeleleI miss my baby, oh my.
Ngagwetshwa Udilika Jele WemtanamiI’ve been sentenced to life in prison, my child.
Kukhona Konke Mtanami Ngangenzela Ukuthi Uphile KahleThrough it all, my child, I did it so you’d live well.
Kukhona Konke Mtanami Ngangenzela Ukuthi Ukhule KahleThrough it all, my child, I did it so you’d grow up well,
Ufane Nabanye Abantwana Nawe Ugqoke KahleTo be like other children, and dress well too,
Yize Ngaphelela EjeleEven though I ended up in jail.
Kukhona Konke Mtanami Ngangenzela Ukuthi Uphile KahleThrough it all, my child, I did it so you’d live well.
Kukhona Konke Mtanami Ngangenzela Ukuthi Ukhule KahleThrough it all, my child, I did it so you’d grow up well,
Ufane Nabanye Abantwana Nawe Ugqoke KahleTo be like other children, and dress well too,
Yize Ngaphelela EjeleEven though I ended up in jail.
Ngazama Ngahluleka MtanamiI tried and I failed, my child.
Kumanje Ngizibona ‘Ngesikhulu Is’hlulekiRight now I see myself as the greatest failure.
Angikwazi Nokulala Ubuthongo NgikhathazekileI can’t even fall asleep, I’m so worried,
Ukuthi Lapho Enikhona Nomawakho Ngabe NidlileWondering if you and your mother have had enough to eat.
Ngazama Ngahluleka MtanamiI tried and I failed, my child.
Kumanje Ngizibona ‘Ngesikhulu Is’hlulekiRight now I see myself as the greatest failure.
Angikwazi Nokulala Ubuthongo NgikhathazekileI can’t even fall asleep, I’m so worried,
Ukuthi Lapho Enikhona Nomawakho Ngabe NidlileWondering if you and your mother have had enough to eat.
Ang’sazi Ngiyophuma Kanjani NaI don’t know how I’ll ever get out.
Ang’sazi Ngiyokubona Kanjani NaI don’t know how I’ll ever see you.
Angazi Ngiyok’thinta Kanjani WemtanamiI don’t know how I’ll ever touch you, my child.
Ngagwetshwa Udilika Jele WemtanamiI’ve been sentenced to life in prison, my child.
Ngixolele Mtanami Music Video
Nkeshemba’s final verses accept a lifelong separation, underscoring the heavy price of his decisions. For those searching for lyrics meaning of Ngixolele Mtanami, the English translation lays bare the regret and yearning that drive the song.