Cardinal X25 brings a heavy, heartfelt story to life with the song Ubaba Wami Ubani. The artist asks a single, powerful question that defines the entire track. Temba Gwenzi writes and composes this touching personal narrative.
Released: March 17, 2026
Ubaba Wami Ubani
Cardinal X25
Ubaba Wami Ubani Meaning & Lyrics (Cardinal X25)
Temba Gwenzi follows a person’s lifelong search for identity. The narrator describes watching other children find joy with their fathers while standing completely alone, asking his mother the central question. He pleads ‘Who is my father? I’m begging you’ (Ubaba wami ubani? Ngiyacela). The lyrics writer builds a story of isolation and a desperate need for the truth.
Ngikhule ngibuka abanye bejabula noBaba babo…I grew up watching others find joy with their fathers.
Mina ngibiza bani? Mama… ngicela ukwazi…Who do I call for? Mom, I just want to know.
Ubaba wami ubani? Mama ngitshele…Who is my father? Mom, please tell me.
Ubaba wami ubani? Ngiyacela…Who is my father? I’m begging you.
Ngibona abanye bephathwa izandla…I watch other children being led by the hand,
Mina ngime ngedwa, Mama ngitshele…while I stand completely alone, Mom, please tell me.
Ubaba wami ubani? Mama ngitshele…Who is my father? Mom, please tell me.
Ubaba wami ubani? Ngiyacela…Who is my father? I’m begging you.
Ngikhule ngilinde impendulo…I’ve spent my whole life waiting for an answer.
Namuhla sengiyabuza… ngitshele…Today, I’m finally asking, so tell me.
Ngikhule ngibizwa ngegama lakho MamaI grew up being called by your name, Mom.
Esikoleni bangibuza, ngithule nje ngedwaAt school, they ask about him, and I just sit in silence.
Ngithi “akasekho”… kodwa iqiniso ngiyalaziI tell them “he’s gone,” but deep down, I know the truth.
Inhliziyo yami igcwele imibuzo engapheliMy heart is heavy with endless questions.
Ngibona ama-fathers day ezikoleniI see Father’s Day celebrations at school,
Abanye bethola izipho, mina ngime ngedwa khonawhere others receive gifts, while I stand there all by myself.
Ngizibuza njalo ngithi ngabe ngifana nobani?I constantly wonder whose reflection I carry.
Ubuso bami buvela kuphi Mama?Where do my features come from, Mom?
Ubaba wami ubani? Mama ngitshele…Who is my father? Mom, please tell me.
Ubaba wami ubani? Ngiyacela…Who is my father? I’m begging you.
Ngibona abanye bephathwa izandla…I watch other children being led by the hand,
Mina ngime ngedwa, Mama ngitshele…while I stand completely alone, Mom, please tell me.
Ngane yami ngiyaxolisa, bekungelulaMy child, I’m so sorry, it wasn’t easy.
Ubaba wakho wahamba, wangishiya ngikhulelweYour father walked away, leaving me pregnant and alone.
Ngazama ukukuvikela enhliziyweni yamiI tried to protect you within the safety of my heart.
Ngangesaba ukukutshela iqiniso elibuhlunguI was terrified to tell you the painful truth.
Ngangingafuni ubuhlungu bufike kuweI didn’t want this sorrow to ever reach you,
Ngakho ngathula iminyaka yonkeso I stayed silent through all these years.
Kodwa namuhla ngiyabona usukhulileBut today, I see that you’ve grown up.
Ufuna ukwazi… iqiniso selizophumaYou need to know, so the truth must finally come out.
Mama ungifihlelani? Ngifuna ukwazi…Mom, what are you hiding from me? I need to know.
Ngiyingxenye kabani? Ngifuna ukwazi…Whose blood runs through my veins? I need to know.
Ngizomthola yini? Ngizombona yini?Will I ever find him? Will I ever see his face?
Noma ngizohlala ngibuza njalo…Or will I be left asking this forever?
Ubaba wami ubani? Mama ngitshele…Who is my father? Mom, please tell me.
Ubaba wami ubani? Ngiyacela…Who is my father? I’m begging you.
Ngikhule ngilinde impendulo…I’ve spent my whole life waiting for an answer.
Namuhla sengiyabuza… ngitshele…Today, I’m finally asking, so tell me.
Ubaba wami ubani? Mama ngitshele…Who is my father? Mom, please tell me.
Ngiyingane kabani? Ngiyacela…Whose child am I? I’m begging you.
Noma ngabe ubuhlungu bungakanani…No matter how much it might hurt,
Ngifuna ukwazi… Mama ngitshele…I need to know the truth, Mom, tell me.
Ngifuna ukwazi…I just want to know.
Ubaba wami ubani…Who is my father?
Ubaba Wami Ubani Music Video
The meaning of ‘Ubaba Wami Ubani’ is a child’s search for identity. The lyrics offer a universal story about family and unanswered questions in the Zulu language.