"Iyeza" / "Zabalaza" | Thandiswa Mazwai

Self-styled wild woman and rebel singer Thandiswa Mazwai rocks the TED stage with an electrifying performance of two songs: "Iyeza" and "Zabalaza."
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[@tumelohh]

I actually thinks she deserves a tiny desk

[@khethelomadondo1250]

i was just about to say the same thing, she would kill it

[@Perry8110]

It would be so epic!

[@everythingandmo377]

She deserves the world stage, she’s so underrated.

[@sinethembadywili8804]

I agree with you.

[@teetee4813]

True

[@siyathala3501]

Who's here after her Tiny Desk performance :)

[@melo_fits2.0]

She FINALLY got it🎉🎉🎉❤❤

[@khanyisaninondaba1069]

Like...😭🥹🔥🔥she a king 👑

[@sinasomxakaza9170]

Thandiswa deserves a lifetime achievement award by now. She's a living documentation of our culture

[@sandramakhumalo2636]

In my 34 years of being on this Earth, I have never witnessed such brilliance, authenticity, raw emotion and transcendent perfection in a piece of music. It is indeed a calling that she has and she has rightfully and wholeheartedly accepted it. Wow, speechless!!

[@greatafricanone]

check out her interviews, compelling

[@bibiCism]

I feel like she totally channels Busi Mhlongo here. Stunning!

[@NuclearPhysix]

You took all the words out of my mouth

[@georgegoto8757]

Totally wasted on that audience! Absolutely brilliant performance!🥰🥰🥰

[@jeansmith2248]

Absolute brilliance!!! Thanks Bro Shomari of WURD RADIO STATION, for introducing your listeners, to this Magnificent WARRIOR SONGSTRESS.

[@thandolwethu]

Thandiswa Mazwai has no competition mabethuna😭😭 imagine singing almost a decade old song and making it jazzy and relevant 😍 yerrr! Liyavuma 👏🏽

[@sifisomagagula5476]

The backup vocalist who’s doubling as a keyboard player was amazing. Thandiswa is king!

[@houmadi2012]

YES!!!

[@sammnguni9086]

The Backup vocalist. Shuu Goosebumps!!

[@phakanyisiwedludla6841]

Yeah he is amazing

[@drtalkboxsa9412]

Xoli Thabethe.

[@slindilemkhwebane8863]

Xoli Thabethe is great🥺 and so underrated

[@omphemetsedigopoleng2627]

It's 2023 and I'm back here again. Such brilliance is hard to fathom 😭🙌

[@jeansmith2248]

She's supreme!!!!

[@BlackRootsUNLIMITED]

She's such a good singer. African Spirituality flows in her veins. ☥🔥☥

[@somnguni]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!

[@vivianamu1733]

If only more people could sing with such authenticity

[@chewycactus]

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, some of you guys seem to forget that Just because it’s not some person giving a speech for 15 mins doesn’t mean it’s not as inspiring or thought provoking. Don’t limit TED to a box

[@thembimogala9704]

Word up.

[@Go_Nkosi]

Just learn something new today

[@ellcafe19]

The chemistry between her voice and the guy who’s backing up combined with the instrumentals is so amazing

[@jeansmith2248]

Yes.

[@imallergictoorangejuice6294]

i’m in love. this is music. even if i don’t know the language, this is still amazing

[@francemashigo5433]

She sings in the Xhosa language. Amazing artist she is.

[@OurHope17]

Iyeza / Medicine. ... Zabalaza / Hustling

[@everythingandmo377]

Your soul understands the language and that’s why you resonate with the music. 🌻

[@FixieNix]

Why can't I like this more than once?

[@logicandreason3812]

The melodic screams have something weirdly fascinating. Pretty nice.

[@drtalkboxsa9412]

Lulu on drums Xoli on keys Banda on bass Sonnyboy on guitar South African best

[@SeboleloKhanyela]

What’s Xoli’s full name? He’s amazing

[@idunaproductions6274]

@@SeboleloKhanyela Xolani

[@idunaproductions6274]

@Dr Talkbox SA, thank you very much from Lulu on the drums

[@xholiswawittes9664]

Yasssss Thandiswa 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@emihlegcwabe2302]

Her voice would slap on a tiny desk😭😭

[@pamelajacobs6354]

And so it came to pass... Your words breathed life. Siyabulela bhuti❤

[@inqaba_yamaqocwa]

It manifested in 2024💃🏽🎊🙌🏽🌈💫

[@umthombHER]

Well then 😊

[@sundayrain9086]

This was such a beautiful mesh up of her old and new songs. Left me smiling after singing 'Ithongo' coz I remember my gran losing it when I played her 'Ibhokhwe' album because she thought I'd come home one day and say I have a calling from my ancestors to become a healer 😊. Anyway I'll forever be grateful for that offering because I became interested instead (to my gran's releif) in my roots and connections beyond borders to all my Nguni people across Africa.

[@gugulethukhoza9208]

The art she's bringing on stage is beyond.

[@jeansmith2248]

Absolutely 💯

[@mkaymusicza]

Her voice is her instrument

[@Nasrin808]

This is South African music. If you watch TED to open your mind and can’t handle diversity - best you unsubscribe.

[@deeughfolte5770]

Nasrin Seedat White males [All the racist comments are from this particular demographic, as always] don't do so well with being asked to be decent or logical. Ask nicely and politely that they behave civilized and they'll accuse you of oppressing them. Doesn't bother them one bit that this is precisely the sort of content Ted aims to spread. Their feelings and discomfort around anything/one different is more important, and this should be everyone's priority. There's no, nor has there ever been an equally spoilt, spiteful, selfish, narcissistic and hateful demographic on this entire planet.

[@unboundedinc7446]

Big up to the backing vocalist.👌

[@Phiwe123]

Thandiswa Mazwai never disappoints. The shock when I saw a fellow South African on this channel made me so happy. Such great quality and her talent speaks for itself. #WakandaForever.

[@Phiwe123]

Lol I said wakanda forever because she sings in IsiXhosa. Which is the language they speak in Wakanda.

[@Phiwe123]

sonoki82 chill your socks. It's not that deep. 😂😂

[@afterthought3341]

Wakanda is toxic nationalism gone aray. Bigots justifying racist ideology for the benefit of the limited wakanden elite.

[@vee5881]

sonoki82 salty

[@vee5881]

Mac Ton ungumsunu ke wena

[@keneilwephakula4018]

Proud South African right here🙋❤✨

[@user-mq3ts7lr9l]

"If you take my hand, I'll show how to be free. Because this is not supposed to happen, in our fathers home, We are going to Rebel!"

[@happinessmathobela4486]

I'm suprized we don't have her on Tiny desk yet

[@mohaukubheka2630]

She will be on tiny desk in a few weeks to come.

[@mocchachinoochi7478]

She’s on now! Go watch yooooh! It was out of this world !!!!

[@lwandotame6325]

I watched her on tiny desk she killed it ❤

[@sihle1278]

Oh! my Goshh! Such a soulful Queen... I love her artistic and vocal range gives me goosebumes, it purify your soul and your spirit after listening her iyeza or wakrazulwa you never feel the same... African Rock Star Queen. more than two decade singing but her voice never crake... wow i bow down... i strongly believe most young upcoming artist can learn so muuuuuuuch! that you don't need to flash your skin but only voice can take you far. South African Soul Queen.

[@seemanye]

I've lost count as to how many times I've watched this ever since the day I discovered it . King Tha is just a musical genius ! Also her team ??? Phenomenal job !! 🥺

[@Phiwe123]

Umzabalazo!! Yeses I'm so damn proud to be watching this on this platform. The world needs to hear this!

[@houmadi2012]

Gave me chills - so beautiful this music and her voice!!!

[@kennedymuitherero3762]

Thandiswa Mazwai; reigning queen of Xhosa music.

[@Curesa08]

Oh my, this just did something to my insides! 💕💕💕💕 I wish I knew the words .

[@asandamadyibi6819]

I need medicine to heal my pain/troubles. My vision/ ancestor let it be. My ancestors allow. She is asking for a blessing to be. Then Zabalaza- rebel against poverty and oppression. She sings about South Africans living in shacks, begging and struggling to live. That it should not be this way in our fore fathers land. .....

[@dmdzikwa1358]

Ithongo is a deep spiritual song about her Ancestors.

[@coltoncolton2822]

So people sees that TED posted something, goes to watch it, doesn't understand/enjoy it and decides to press the dislike button? I enjoyed this performance, thanks for posting it TED! I also looked up the singer, found some very interesting stuff about her :)

[@coltoncolton2822]

Dyland you're right, maybe my words weren't the right choices! However, if you don't mind me asking, why did you dislike the video?

[@coltoncolton2822]

kw y Everything you're saying is subjective, nothing is fact, so based on that I'll start by saying that I fully understand why you dislike the video now. I don't agree with what you said at all though. So to repeat what you said but from MY perspective: - I DON'T think this is inappropriate to appear on Ted what so ever. - I thought their performance was great! - About 10 million people speak this language, no one might have understood it in the room, but I'm sure they presented what it was about beforehand. - Perhaps they got to be on TED because they like what the artist stand for and what she has to say with her art! - "waste of resource"?? 😂 😂 I'm not even gonna go into that, because now you just sound like a whining kid. My point is that what you're saying and what you BELIEVE that TED talks are/stand for is mostly subjective! You saying that you want to hear about how technology is changing the world and not some African singers doesn't change that! (makes you sound ignorant if nothing else) I suggest you go look up facts about what Ted talks are and you'll see that this performance fits into that... Whether YOU relate to it or not.

[@coltoncolton2822]

sonoki82 "bleats like a goat music"😂 😂 that's funny! Haha, I happen to like that bleating goat music! And you're wrong, as a black person (I live in Sweden but my parents are from Africa. Not that it matters though) I don't believe I am racist towards my own race! But thanks for attempting to translate my comment I guess :)

[@lekis5975]

Thandiswa's voice is insane! In 2010 I sat front row at a concert at the Hackney Empire...whoa! She killed it. And she makes it seem so effortless.

[@tiisetsokekana5170]

Did she sing Ndilinde fam?

[@lapee7239]

I'm from Mozambique and what are angelic voice and energy!!

[@cremecrop2329]

1. If you like/enjoy music, no matter what language it is presented in, you'll appreciate it. 2. TED is a platform for presentations. This is a musical presentation with messages through the music.

[@moafrikaamokgathi8341]

This showcase is true "iyeza" for many seasons in my life .I love her so much .

[@lungabivandlovu6028]

This ijeza is going straight to my bones 😭😭😭😭

[@pulengsegopa9133]

Uyinja sani ❤👊🏼 I can never get enough of this performance.

[@jeansmith2248]

Same here. Watching from THE 🇺🇸

[@Goitseonemmine]

It's 2024,April and I'm back here reminiscing about Thandiswa Mazwai's old hits... I am filled with joy as she is about to launch her new album in May on the 11th. With no hesitation, I will definitely be there, can't wait to hear her new music, so far "kulungile" is doing it's job. What an Icon! ❤

[@mokopuchoenyane3571]

I keep coming back to this when I want to connect with my ancestors,Iyeza is a gem 💎

[@MwalimuWairimu]

Love this. I’m Kenyan so I don’t understand what she’s saying, but I love her energy.

[@85lanette]

LOVED IT!! MORE PLEASE!!

[@malikmashinini647]

Basically the first song ithongo is about asking medicine or guidance to finding a remedy for the worries of the world and she asks and pleads that her ancestors agree to guide her and the second song is about rebellion, rebel to get the life you deserve.

[@kefianakabati9879]

Malik Mashinini Thank you!

[@Ninjanugets123]

So much soulllllll

[@mysteepulcine2510]

I recomend turning on captions. Seeing the original language in writing adds something.

[@leiannesw4926]

I found captions distracting at 1st...used them 2nd time I watched and I agree. Thank you for the tip

[@nkululekomnisi4708]

Voice of a generation in my opinion. I believe her🌼

[@faith3276]

Thank you 💜 NOOOOoooooo words/captions needed. We must learn to feeeeel vibrate with the energy as we did from the beginning. Her voice is a carrier in and across the Universe. I resonated with the message before she announced it. I was lying down and the first note made me rise up with tearful eyes of Joy Hope pain and LOVE LOVE 💜💃 Send the message. Tell the story Spread the love Namaste 🙏

[@kmba3819]

Such thoughtful words. You should check out her tiny desk concert, phenomenal.

[@EmbodimentOfZikkurat]

If it weren't for TED I'd probably never hear this kind of band. I'd say what I think about the ugly half of TED's fan base, but there's no point in giving them any more attention. Let's focus on what's important: that's some great music!

[@jacquelinepilane5254]

Goosebumps and tears

[@Mowizzy1]

Our very own...umtwana we madlozi✊🏾🙌🏾 You are a gift to all of us.🖤💚❤

[@zandilemabuza15]

Yoh this woman is talented 😯😱

[@siyanzimande6392]

I get goose bumps every time I watch this . ❤️

[@siduduzo]

I have watched this a thousand times 😢

[@jenefersiboza4713]

I always come back here to remind myself of how powerful African ancestry and spirituality is.❤🥺

[@mntuthambokie5476]

Ndimane ndizokroba nam, this is super sublime ❤️🔥❤️

[@palesasebeela7608]

can we talk about guy on keyboard, your singing my brother, yeeeerrrrr you good, stop it i like it

[@aphiwemagaya3279]

😭😭😭 I'm crying, it touched me inside...

[@Kyairras]

To all 305 dislikes yall dont know music

[@masikoli1]

Question is why are they listening they must just disappear that all

[@Ms.MM084]

That moment when she goes "GUERILLA GIJIMA"!

[@JoshuaBegin]

Beautiful

[@edwardsrubyg]

How beautiful Goddess 💓 She sings GOD'S voice... Zabalaza... Mother Africa. The world is only free when Africans break the chains... We can do this when we keep on rising to the Creator's Spirit 🥰 Powerful message and Thandiswa's voice echos even across the seas

[@ThobileMacaws]

the backup singer is OTT❤️😍! Great performance!! Ewe liyavuma ithingo for iAfrika yonke✊🏾!

[@Iam.AminB_]

Stunning queen! Music is so amazing. I don’t even have to know what she’s saying to feel it. Chills 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@NTKPhakathi]

Beautiful.

[@MoWeezy99]

The KING!!!! 😍💓💓💓💓

[@piroskanakazawa5449]

Simply wonderful! The short explanation between the two musical parts is just enough and so true! Thank you!

[@paclaire2449]

So glad that South African culture is making some appearances in North America! Zulu is such a beautiful sounding language, I'm so happy that more people are able to hear it!

[@paclaire2449]

World Traveler I'm sorry? I don't understand what you're referring to? All I'm doing is celebrating that South African culture is being seen in America, and appreciating the Zulu language. I wasn't trying to be political.

[@paclaire2449]

World Traveler Are you maybe referring to apartheid? That's been over for nearly 24 years, and I don't think it was what you think it was.

[@nokuthulamahlangu8816]

She's actually singing in Xhosa ... Beautifully delivered nonetheless. Very proud of her work , South Africa REPRESENT! Listen deeply.. The woman is a movement herself.. Like I get CHILLS

[@asandamadyibi6819]

paige loves pages this is Xhosa- Nelson Mandela’ language

[@asandanyathela1376]

It's Xhosa she's singing in, not Zulu.

[@junglsmor]

thank you ted for this content

[@marcoyounger]

Thanks TED for sharing these people's work with your audience x) I loved it. I love hearing different musics from the world!! She's awesomeeeeee

[@omphemetsedigopoleng2627]

Thandiswa is just...🥺♥️♥️♥️

[@Mulifhedzi]

The mastering on this is world class !

[@masikoli1]

Dont have words to describe this perfomence Its hitting home. Im Sold. Enkosi ntokozazi yase Mzansi. Siyabulela. Qhubeka uyibambe kanjalo

[@brendarua01]

This is a lovely performance. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheBrisaLima]

Apaixonada pela voz dessa mulher! Que potência! Tecladista cantando muito também!

[@nonhlendlela3934]

Early in 2023 I went through 2 weeks straight listening to nothing but this performance iyeza only. It literally spoke to me, I felt it in my bones. And in exactly 2 weeks I got an amazing job offer and 2 days later I lost someone dear to my heart. I realized the spiritual connection I had to the song was a message! Thongo lalivumile🙌

[@peterairl102]

I m crying 😭 she got that thing ❤️❤️

[@Vicioussama]

Technology, Entertainment and Design indeed.....

[@BethBarany]

Indeed. Entertainment!

[@Shamballa432]

Take some black people singing to fuel your technological needs

[@Vicioussama]

"Technology, Entertainment and Design" :) It's not "Technology, Entertainment, and Design" Oxford comma, that would mean tha talk would be about both entertainment and design, not one or the other.

[@sizwenhlapo3994]

Thank you KingTha and the band what a beautiful performance, your music is powerful and moving. We love how you embrace our African identity thanks for being authentic and original, we need to celebrate you more here at home in SA you're a true ICON.

[@jeansmith2248]

Yes she is.

[@yonelamadlebe3490]

Camagu!!! MaMiya, MaGcwanini with your touching voice and songs sibamba ngazo zozibini okwephatha and you seriously deserve alot from our country with all your touching freedom fighting songs.

[@MrZuneJ]

Why in the heck are there any dislikes? This is deep

[@mkdempisi]

Very captivating and beautiful performance 🌿

[@nonnymuhoni]

I felt this man!

[@falotroy8541]

Beauty in the form of music❤

[@gabiblanco8446]

A luta continua!!!! ✊

[@tshegofatsomalebo4240]

i watch this over and over and over again!!! The King transcended!

[@blessmcfrankly3496]

This has made my tears of joy I feel it...she has more than energy

[@petermalaza9980]

Looove her so much

[@ddGrandahl]

Quality TED stuff as always

[@hydernoori146]

ddGrandahl lol and people wonder why they don't get as many views or likes

[@lwandotame6325]

Damnit 😮 she's a beast

[@fatimacossa8429]

So beautiful

[@rosemoloi7376]

thankful for growing up in a home that was filled w this lady's voice, loooooooove her ! pure talent !

[@amantlebonolochalebgwa7904]

Thandiswa is just..🙌🏿Wow!

[@yanelamtolo5263]

Amazing! Love this version 👏🏾

[@sfungotrue-man9168]

The band!!!🥁🎺📯

[@theodorahlabangwane2404]

Yes!!! Got my heart vibrating.

[@elsiemathala2263]

From South Africa, thank you for continuing to heal us. You are ART-iculating our being🪴

[@khanyisaninondaba1069]

Her Tiny Desk concert was electrifying... Now that I've watched most of her live performances i feel that I'm missing out Needa attend her gigs before she retires 🥹🔥

[@okuhlefandileki1610]

What A Phenomenal Woman, I Cried During This Performance 😭

[@mngunimnguni7969]

I m so in love with her. She sings as if she lived here before. Something strange about her.

[@akwaabab8504]

exposure to new things expands the mind and appreciation for life. those who are closed minded are blissful in their ignorance and will be left behind1

[@Yrakoy]

I got to see her live!!!

[@HlobisileTheGlowBoss]

2024 June im still here❤... she deserves a show in broadway or Madison Square garden because wow❤❤❤