Ukuphila

This is where it all started

Uk’thul’ ebandleni, iNkosi ngisay’ philela, angikaboni lutho okungangihlukanisa neNkosi. Ngicela iNkosi ithel’ umusa

These were the words I grew up with.

Week after week, Sunday after Sunday, every church service.

Young as I was, starting from the youngest to the oldest, till the Priest has the final.

Bathi “phila mntanami”,

I never understood what the words meant that time, but I was sure that they meant something big which will groom me one day.

Week after week, Sunday after Sunday, ngiphila, I was the first one, logically was seen as the youngest.

My friends and I always questioned the notion of ukuphila, but never got the exact answer.

But the trust in our hearts we knew we were doing the right thing.

“Uk’thul’ ebandleni, iNkosi ngisay’ philela, angikaboni lutho okungangihlukanisa neNkosi. Ngicela iNkosi ithel’ umusa”

These words escaped my lips at a young age.

This were the words I was taught to utter at all times

This were the words I was taught to say at the beginning of the service

We observed these words from our parents as they utter the mishaps of this life

As they cry out their pain, yearning for the love of the Lord

Telling the congregation of the storms, they have faced.

Noma izivunguvungu zifisa impilo yami ngizohlala eNkosini

These were words that brought sorrow and pain, yet after the spatter of each syllable, all the burden seems to be weighed down

These were the words we observed form our parents, as they cried to the ALL MIGHTY, giving their all.

That last penny, they had in their hand, bathi “Noma ngingenalutho kodwa ngalemali engiy’phethe ngithi ngiyabonga Nkosi ngoba akukho okungangihlukanisa nawe”

These were the words I saw escape from my mother’s mouth, seeking for his face, as there were so much troubles and tribulations in society.

Uk’thul’ ebandleni, iNkosi ngisay’ philela, angikaboni lutho okungangihlukanisa neNkosi. Ngicela iNkosi ithel’ umusa

These were the words umfundisi would say, “Phila mntanami”, regardless of your age, bong’ iNkosi ngoba nguye okulethe la.

Ethi “Bong’ iNkosi ngoba he’s the one who leads your life”

Ethi “Bong’ iNkosi ngoba unguMalusi  wempilo yakho.”

Ethi “Bong ‘iNkosi, regardless of your age,”

At that point in time you are able to utter such words, form a sentence, these were the words taught to us at very young age. Believing whole heartedly, with no doubt, regardless that we barely understood the greater meaning these words held.

Uk’thul’ ebandleni, iNkosi ngisay’ philela, angikaboni lutho okungangihlukanisa neNkosi. Ngicela iNkosi ithel’ umusa

I never knew the meaning of these words, yet I always looked forward to each Sunday to be the first to uk’phila.

Ngithi “Uk’thul’ ebandleni, iNkosi ngisay’ philela, angikaboni lutho okungangihlukanisa neNkosi. Ngicela iNkosi ithel’ umusa”

I never knew what I was saying, yet I always trusted my parents for they wouldn’t be uttering any demeaning words

Nor would they be teaching me of any evil or cult

Yet they were showing me the ways of the Lord.

Ngibong’ iNkosi, ngakho konke angenzele kona.

Ngibong’ iNkosi, for the great week I had and the best weeks to come.

Ngibong’ iNkosi for the food, the clothes, and the house I live in

I never knew what these words meant yet I knew very well that one day I’ll grow up being the strongest person ever, coz uJehova unguMalusi wami.

Ethi umfundisi, “phila mntanami, noma ungathi, iNkosi isizulu; those were the words his father used to say to him as a young man.

We used to laugh at this, nami ngithi, “Uk’thul’ ebandleni, iNkosi ngisay’ philela, angikaboni lutho okungangihlukanisa neNkosi. Ngicela iNkosi ithel’ umusa”

I never understood why our parents used to cry, at every silence after izivunguvungu they’ve spoken about. Cry at every utterance of what they have said.

That tear drop escaping from their eye, for they have laid their burdens. As Asho ezwin ilakhe, “Cast your burden unto the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

He has promised us, ngoba he who trusts in the Lord shall be like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

The joys of being young and free, learning every word introduced to you by your parents, they knowing very well that you shall understand it one day.

Knowing very well that even if you do not know the meaning of what is uttered today, one day you will say thank coz you would have found the meaning of it.

“Uk’thul’ ebandleni, iNkosi ngisay’ philela, angikaboni lutho okungangihlukanisa neNkosi. Ngicela iNkosi ithel’ umusa”

I never understood the meaning of these words, when they preached about insidiso

I never understood the meaning of these words when they said name iNkosi ngiyay’philela, ngisindisiwe nge gazi lemvana.

I never understood these words till one day I took the stand I said

Nami iNkosi ngiyayiphilela, said the words with understanding.

I said the words with the knowledge, which has piled up in me for all these years.

I said the words loud and proud for my redeemer lives

I said the words with clear knowledge and understanding ngoba ngacela ukuhlakanipha ngezwilakhe.

Said the words with joy, ngoba nami iNkosi ngiyay’ philela.