Mafikizolo and Yemi Alade sing for Love in "Ofana Nawe" (Remastered)

The song Ofana Nawe (meaning "There's no one like you") is easily misunderstood in certain circles as gospel, as we try to explain below; but it is not. Still, it might as well be, with just a slant in the lyrics. But there is no such a slant here. Here, it is a reaffirmation of earthly and pure love between a man and a woman. A rule of thumb, then: Whenever you hear "baby", and not "baby Jesus", it's not gospel. Certainly not in our time.

Click to watch the Video of Ofana Nawe

Ofana Nawe is feel-goodness. And Nigerian Yemi Alade outperforms. She is the voice of love, Cupid's worthy personification: "What are you doing over there. Should be over here," she swoons, with hormone-gilded and still girlish enthusiasm. This is without doubt a South African song, all things considered. It is very pleasant and 'soul-searching', infused with pleasant tunes and fine melody. And everyone in the video looks just lovely.

Nevertheless, there are awkward phrases and constructions in the lyrics which will make a die hard for "pure" love cringe. 

Thus:

The Male Mafikizolo: 
"I've never seen a woman like you. 
Baby you are the best. 
You're the best above the rest."

The Female Mafikizolo: 
"There's no one who treats me better like you do.
My baby you treat me better o,
Treat me better o" 

Back to the beginning, as promised: The meaning of the song's title, Ofana Nawe, has the same root as the grand old gospel song Akekho Ofana no Jesu (which means "There is no one like Jesus"). 

Nawe abbreviates na wewe as a commonly used Bantu/Swahili "phrase" for "with you" or "and you." Ofana is a variant of the Swahili word fanana, both literally meaning "look(s) like", or simply "like". In the song, the word Akekho is bracketed and dispensed with. It is absent but taken to be present. It is, everyone knows, implicitly there. Hence (Akekho) Ofana Nawe, meaning "There is no one like you." 

Click here for Ofana Nawe lyrics