Alexio, my pick me up

by Constance van Niekerk, SA

What a morning! The weather is cloudy and the mood is sombre. Getting out of bed was a duty I unwillingly obliged to today. Even my usual mood boosters disappointed me today, but Alexio effortlessly put a bounce in my step. I’m in love….

First on the line-up was Shaina. Shaina means ‘shine’. Shine… that’s what I needed to hear on such a day as this. The rain is threatening to fall any minute, not only outside but in my heart as well. Then Alexio’s voice comes through like a ray through the clouds saying, ‘even if there is darkness, shine’.

Shaina is off his fourth album, ‘Kana’ released on Zimbabwe’s Independence Day in 2008. Shaina means ‘shine’, like sun shines. It is a song of hope and encouragement. It is that hand that pushes you forward when you feel like stopping. This track is like the small still voice in the storms of life saying, ‘don’t lose hope.’ The next track I listened to was Tinodanana by Alexio and Tererai Mugwadi off his 2005 album, Pfimbi Yangu. Another one of his hits, but I came back to Shaina and put the track on repeat. Let me not enjoy alone. Do listen to the track, I have tried my best to translate for your convenience. I hope this song will lift your mood, will comfort you and put a smile on your face as it has mine. No matter the weather…. #Shaina iwe! Have a great Friday…. #TGIF

Mhepo inovhuvhuta ndiwo mugariro wayo (the wind blows, that’s its nature)

denga rinokwidibira (the skies overcast)

roda kunisa mvura (about to let the rain fall)

mwedzi unotombonyura wani (even the moon at times disappears)

siku kwochinyatsosviba (then the night becomes really dark)

asi hona mabvazuva (but look to the East)

chiedza chotouya (the light shines)

zuva parinobuda richishayina (when the sun rises shining)

newe shainawo (you must shine too)

zuva parinobuda richishayina

newe shainawo

kunyangwe kune rima (even if there is darkness)

uri mwenje usazodzimawo (you are light, don’t stop shining)

zuva parinobuda iwe richishaina

newe shainawo

nzizi padzinoyerera (when rivers flow)

dzinoyerera nemarara pasi posara nejecha (they flow with rubbish and the sand remains)

newe rambawo kuparara (refuse to be destroyed)

ko zvino ungazive sei (unochema nei) (how will you know)

kuziva masango hakukuurayi (knowing the jungles will not kill)

Mukupera kwazvose (seri kwemakore) (at the end of it all)

Kuchabuda zuva parinobuda iweeeee… (the sun will shine)

…rima ringarebe seiko (rima ringarebe seiko) (no matter how long the night lasts)

Zvinhu zvingaome seiko (zvinhu zvingaome seiko) (no matter how hard things get)

Tarira denga ah richazaruka (zaruka) (look to the heavens, they will open up)

Woona chiedza oooh (you will see the light)

next on my playlist…. itssa Friday!