Stream Zama here: https://sndo.ffm.to/4ey371e
Zama was inspired by Charles Bradley’s song “Why Is It So Hard to Make It in America?”, which Bongeziwe has long related to in its reflection on struggle and the pursuit of success within systems that often feel exclusionary.
The song traces his own journey — from being born in Tsolo in the rural Eastern Cape, to boarding school far from home, to Johannesburg, and toward dreams that stretch across the seas. Each place shaped him, carrying both hardship and growth.
At its core, Zama is a reflection on persistence — a reminder that while geography may change, the struggle and the becoming continue.
MUSIC CREDITS
Music Producer: Tiago Correia Paulo
Mixing Engineer: André Hough
Mastering Engineer: Rogan Kelsey
CREDITS
Co-Director:
Chris Saunders
Co-Director / Art Director / Stylist:
Chloe Andrea Welgemoed
Producer:
Sevi Spanoudi — Black Major
Production Coordinator:
Sonja Myburgh Ellis
Production Manager:
Aaron Peters
Director of Photography:
JP Whitfield
Focus Puller:
Mark Van Zyl
Lighting Crew:
Silver Bullet Lighting
Documentary Video / Photography:
Skyla Haley
Stylist Assistants:
1st assistant: Jana-Marie De Jager
2nd assistant: Yeyethu Owethu Mihle Madasa
Editor:
Daniel Duval
Post-Production Studio:
Big Bad Filmworx
Post-Production Manager:
Tatum Hamilton
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SPECIAL THANKS
Fixers:
Bongikosi Tolbard
Siyabulela Lumkwana
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ADDITIONAL NOTES
Wardrobe:
Nao Serati
Shot on location at:
Kai River Mouth Estuary, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
LYRICS:
Ndazama
Zama ndangayeki
Zama kude kulunge
Hayi kude kulunge
Ndazama
Zama ndangayeki
Zama kude kulunge
Hayi kude kulunge
Ndagumba
Gumba noba kunzima
Gumb’ andikwazi ukuyeka
Hay’ andikwaz’ ukuyeka
Ndizalwa kuTsolo
Ezintabeni ezinkulu
Sikhula sideliwe
Kodwa ndimana ndizame
Ndahamba ndaya eheshele
Apho ndafund’ uzimela
Uzilwela nokuzithemba
Apho mna
Ndazama
Zama ndangayeki
Zama kude kulunge
Hayi kude kulunge
Ndagumba
Gumba noba kunzima
Gumb’ andikwazi ukuyeka
Hay’ andikwaz’ ukuyeka
Kwakuthwe akhon’ amathuba
Andikwaz’ ukulinda
Kunini ndilindile
Ndandenziw’ umntu
Kodw’ injongo yona
Andikayifezi
Ngoku ndizibona ndiphesheya
Ndihamba ndedwa
Ndilahleka kwezi ndlela
Akhonto yohlukile
Kuyafana nalapha
Andikaqali kodwa apha
Ndazama
Zama ndingayeki
Zama kude kulunge
Hayi kude kulunge
Ndagumba
Gumba noba kunzima
Gumb’ andikwazi ukuyeka
Hay’ andikwaz’ ukuyeka
Mandingalibali
Apho ndiphuma khona
Phinda mini yami
Yiza njongo yam
Ndikulindile
Mini yami
Mini yami
Ndikulindile