Asimbonanga bonangum Mandela thina

laph' ekhona laph' echleli khona

(We have not seen him. We have not seen Mandela where he is

in the place where he sits)



Oh the sea is cold and the sky is grey

Look across the island into the bay

We are all islands till comes the day

We cross the burning water



Asimbonanga bonangum Mandela thina

Laph' ekhona laph' echleli khona



A seagull wings across the sea

Broken silence is what i dream

Who has the words to close the dis tance

Between you and me



Asimbonanga bonangum Mandela thina

Laph' ekhona laph' echleli khona

Asimbonanga bonangum Mandela thina

Laph' ekhona laph' echleli khona