Writer: Xolani Tembu |Photographs: 5bob Photography

There exists an entire generation of black men that was raised behind locked gates and tall barbwire enclosures in this country. A generation that grew up spectating enviously from behind the fence as its compeers drifted and wheelied BMX and Raleigh bicycles motocross style. The bulk of these men were plagued ceaselessly by locked gates until their midteens when their guardians woke up to the realisation that their voices were about to break, and along with that, there would enter nocturnal seminal discharges, often answerable to that Physics or Maths teacher, Ms Theledi.

While Ms Theledi takes her place as the first carnal preoccupation for some of these young men, she would go on to become a potential spouse for others, an incontestable exemplification of an ideal companion. She would go on to become a woman of their dreams, a feeling reinforced by an intense ache, a deep longing for her. This feeling would be heavily augmented by her playful and easy going nature for some, while elevated blood circulation would see others sport termite mound inspired knee breeches in the direction of the nearest school lavatory, several times a day at least. There would then enter the unsolicited realisation of how unsustainable this fantasy is, between the overactive imagination and the regular private moments in the bathroom. What would follow would be the need to let Ms Theledi know just how much she is now spoken for. After all she is loved, and she needs to reciprocate. ‘She must know!’, their baiting and deceptive hearts would insist. For many of these men, this would be their first encounter with disappointment at the hands of the Judas that is their hearts. Blistering turncoats, collaborators, two-timers of hope and dreams like never been experienced even by the Lamb of God! Ms Theledi would subsequently go on about her life unbeknownst to her the many homes she is a pillar, a spouse and a lover of note in.

Listening to Imvemnyama’s freshly released single Igwababa, a colloquial allusion to social anxiety afflicting men in relation to romantically desirable women; one cannot help but commiserate with the aforementioned generation(s) of black men who came face to face with rickety knees, feeble deferrals and disappointing fallbacks when it was time to communicate their longing to their Ms Theledis. Evocative of Mbongeni Ngema’s now legendary plea to be handed a love potion so he plies himself to his heart’s content, Imvemnyama can similarly be heard on Igwababa imploring a herb doctor to concoct a purgatorial potion that would rid him of this irrational fear he has of this woman for whom he has romantic idealizations. He agonisingly pleads with the herb doctor to rescue him lest he postpones his envisioned declaration of love or resorts to sending his Ms Theledi a text message instead. Launching into a Gwijo infused and ukuxhentsa inspired chorus with mellowed sleepy vocals reminiscent of Mthatha’s Nkosinathi Mankayi, Imvemnyama swears that his Ms Theledi will be his soon. He cautions his compeers against misjudging him as a subject of igwababa and categorically states that he is a men’s man, unafraid of romantically desirable women.

Imvemnyama’s sound on this record is an instinctual cross between rhythmical Xhosa expression, Afropop and Afrosoul that oozes the kind of superstardom ever only witnessed through the likes of Vusi Nova and Ntsika of The Soil fame. True to his heritage, his lyrics are bold and do not hold back. He leaves you feeling emboldened and in need to reconnect with the ones that got away. The artist and colloquial man in him is on full display as he resists synonymity with igwababa. His incredible musical and artistic aptitude is demonstrated through his fresh, contemporary and culturally literate lyrical prowess. His artistry commands space, attention and respect. Igwababa dropped last Thursday, 07 August 2025 and is currently available on all digital streaming platforms.