Fanatic SA brings a fresh Afro Soul sound to ‘Umlabalaba,’ a song about love and secrecy. Nkosingiphile Nzama writes the lyrics and composes the melody, creating a tune that mixes romance with strategy. The song uses the metaphor of the ‘Umlabalaba’ board game to describe how love requires careful moves.
Released: March 13, 2026
Umlabalaba
Fanatic Sa
Umlabalaba Lyrics English Translation by Fanatic Sa
The lyrics tell the story of two lovers who must hide their relationship to avoid gossip. A key line translates to, ‘Let’s just play the Umlabalaba board game with them.’ The poet uses the game to describe how the couple outsmarts their critics, sidestepping lies like a crab. The song’s heartfelt message is wrapped in clever wordplay.
Ey mama ng’cela siy’fihle lent’abant’bangayi boni,Oh, my love, I’m asking that we hide this so others don’t see it,
Uyaz’ uthand’ oluhle linok’ vusiy tori,you know that a beautiful love can spark so many rumors.
We dali ng’cela siy’phike lent’abant’bangay’tholi,My darling, I’m asking that we deny it so they don’t find us out,
Sithi umnganwami angazi k’njani nton’ ntoni.we’ll just say you’re my friend and keep them guessing.
Ey mama ng’cela siy’fihle lent’abant’bangayi boni,Oh, my love, I’m asking that we hide this so others don’t see it,
Uyaz’ uthand’ oluhle linok’ vusiy tori,you know that a beautiful love can spark so many rumors.
We dali ng’cela siy’phike lent’abant’bangay’tholi,My darling, I’m asking that we deny it so they don’t find us out,
Sithi umnganwami angazi k’njani nton’ ntoni.we’ll just say you’re my friend and keep them guessing.
Asvele sbadlal’ uMlabalaba,Let’s just play the ‘Umlabalaba’ ‘board game’ with them,
Ey’ naba laba,look at all these people,
bath’ basfuna phansi,they say they want to see us fail.
Asngabaqondi svele skekel okwe nkalankala,We won’t go straight; we’ll just sidestep them like a crab.
Banamanga laba,These people are full of lies,
Yaz’ ngyafunga nasi,I swear to you right now.
Sobadlalis’ uMaypatile,We’ll play ‘hide and seek’ with them,
Mabayibamba sithi one plus one sishintshe i lane, ahhaif they catch on, we’ll just change lanes together, ahha.
Sobadlalis’ u (blesstone) laba mangabe abasboni,We’ll keep them guessing while they’re looking for us,
Kyondiz’ ibhanoyi mase ngthumela bakhongi,the plane will fly once I send the ‘marriage negotiators’ to your home.
Lento yam’ nawe izong dalelizitha dali, ngob uyang’thanda nami ngyakthanda,Our love will create enemies, darling, because you love me and I love you too,
Ng’nokwiy’ cabanga ng’lale sek’khanya,I often find myself thinking about it until the sun comes up.
Ng’cela siy’phinde lento,I’m asking that we do this again,
Lento yam’ naw’ engenza ngingababon’ abanye,this thing between us makes everyone else disappear.
Beng’cel’ iphele phakath’ kwami nawe,I just want it to stay between the two of us,
Kyoba mnandi,it’ll be so wonderful.
Laph’ usushayisfub’ utshela bant’ ukuthi bey’ngelula lendlela,Then you’ll beat your chest and tell them that this path wasn’t easy,
Asvele sbadlal’ uMlabalaba,so let’s just play the ‘Umlabalaba’ ‘board game’ with them,
Ey’ naba laba,look at all these people,
bath’ basfuna phansi,they say they want to see us fail.
Asngabaqondi svele skekel okwe nkalankala,We won’t go straight; we’ll just sidestep them like a crab.
Banamanga laba,These people are full of lies,
Yaz’ ngyafunga nasi,I swear to you right now,
Ng’cel’ ukzo mover njenge nkosi (checkmate)I’m going to make a move like a King, ‘checkmate’.
Don’t touch a queen, wenzani lon’ uskhotheni,Don’t touch my queen; what’s that ‘hustler’ doing?
Touch is a move, hlehla mfan’ ufekseni,Every touch is a move, so back off, boy, before you’re out of the game.
U queen ka bhuti lo wam’thinta k’phumi AK,She’s my queen; if you touch her, things will get dangerous.
Secret location, ng’funa syodl’ iycoficofi,In a secret location, I want us to go enjoy some coffee,
singatsheli muntu bazo kwaqazis’ iy kopikopi,let’s not tell anyone, or they’ll start making a lot of noise.
Ngim’bambiy’ hlathi u fresh ugcwel’ iy’godi godi,I’m holding her close; she’s so beautiful and full of charm,
Sishayele phansi wen’wi phinifa ngipitikoti,we’ll keep it low-key while you’re dressed so elegantly.
As’gudle dali wami,Let’s just move along, my darling,
Sikekel’ okwe nkalankala,we’ll sidestep them like a crab.
Ushun’ wenkabi, lakim’upheth’ inkalakatha,With the ‘strong man’ style, you’ve got someone significant by your side.
Ba solve u X, sishiyizitha z’balabala,Let them try to ‘solve for X’ while we leave our enemies confused.
Asvele sbadlal’ uMlabalaba,Let’s just play the ‘Umlabalaba’ ‘board game’ with them,
Ey’ naba laba,look at all these people,
bath’ basfuna phansi,they say they want to see us fail.
Asngabaqondi svele skekel okwe nkalankala,We won’t go straight; we’ll just sidestep them like a crab.
Banamanga laba,These people are full of lies.
Yaz’ ngyafunga nasi, (X2)I swear to you right now.
Ole – fied yeah, asvele sbaphicaphice,It’s official now, let’s just confuse them all,
Sbalek’ okonyazi ngek’ basfice,we’ll run like a bolt of lightning; they’ll never catch us.
Beng’saceli ndaba zethu s’ke siy’fihle ungaling’uythi vuu! Cause loyo mlilo ngek’uwcishe,I was just asking that we keep our business secret; don’t you dare say a word! Because you won’t be able to put out that fire.
Angithi, abafuni mangabe sthandana,Right? They don’t want to see us in love,
Naw’ uyazi,and you know it too.
Baney’lwan’ bagcwel’ukthakatha,They’ve got their demons and are full of ‘malice’,
Nama comments akshiy’ u’b’thakathaka, so ungavumi sthandwa,and their comments will just leave you feeling weak, so don’t give in, my love.
Ngobithemba lami nguwe bazokwazi,Because you’re my only hope, and they’ll eventually find out,
Kodwake qal’ uvume, ukuth’ okwamanje ak’mele bazi,but first, just agree that they shouldn’t know anything for now.
Asvele sbadlal’ uMlabalaba,Let’s just play the ‘Umlabalaba’ ‘board game’ with them,
Ey’ naba laba,look at all these people,
bath’ basfuna phansi,they say they want to see us fail.
Asngabaqondi svele skekel okwe nkalankala,We won’t go straight; we’ll just sidestep them like a crab.
Banamanga laba,These people are full of lies,
Yaz’ ngyafunga nasi,I swear to you right now.
Umlabalaba Music Video
‘Umlabalaba’ lyrics are about protecting love from outside interference. The track, performed in Zulu by Fanatic SA, highlights the challenges of keeping a relationship private while dodging rumors and enemies.