The words of the first stanza and chorus were originally written in Xhosa as a hymn. [8] For decades during the apartheid regime it was considered by many to be the unofficial national anthem of South Africa, representing the suffering of the oppressed masses. Yizwa imithandazo yethu Although initially intended for his school choir, “ Daal neer, o Gees, Heilige Gees Uwusikilele. The song became a pan-African liberation song and versions of it were later adopted as the national anthems of five countries in Africa including Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia and Zimbabwe after independence. LIKE . It is also used in the national anthems of Tanzania and Zambia . Neziggito, Nezono zayo A decade after Sontonga’s death, the song became the official anthem of the African National Congress while the lyrics were supplemented by the famous Xhosa-language poet Samuel Mqhayi. Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo, Lord bless Africa In 1994,[1] Nelson Mandela decreed that the verse be embraced as a joint national anthem of South Africa, with a revised version including elements of "Die Stem" (the then co-state anthem inherited from the previous apartheid government) adopted in 1997. SHARE. An act of vandalism at Braamfontein Cemetery helped locate the missing grave of Enoch Sontonga, the man who wrote South Africa's national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (God bless Africa). The first verse and chorus of this version are the original words composed by Enoch Sontonga in 1897. Hear thou our prayers Enoch Mankayi Sontonga (c. 1873 – 18 April 1905) was a South African composer, who is best known for writing the song "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (English: "God Bless Africa"), which, in abbreviated version, has been sung as the first half of the national anthem of South Africa since 1994. Lord bless us Previous sheet music Next sheet music >> National Anthem of South Africa - God Bless Africa (Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika) Enoch Sontonga. Usisikelele, Thina lusapho lwayo. Ubatwese ngoMoya Wako Sikelel' amakosikazi; “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” means “God Bless Africa” in the Xhosa language. Uwasikele Enoch Sontonga – Composer of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrica While alive not many people really knew who Enoch Sontonga was, or that his legacy and words would impact so many people, his composition becoming part of the national anthem of South Africa. Nkosi Sikelela Nkosi Sikelela Some claim the melody is based on the hymn "Aberystwyth" by Joseph Parry,[3] Banish all famine and diseases; Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho Iwayo. While the inclusion of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" celebrated the newfound freedom of most South Africans, the fact that "Die Stem" was also retained even after the fall of apartheid, represented the desire of the new government led by Mandela to respect all races and cultures in an all-inclusive new era dawning upon South Africa. Enoch Mankayi Sontonga, a teacher and lay preacher from the Eastern Cape, died in obscurity 106 years ago today, aged just 33. Sontonga originally composed the hymn in B-flat major with a four-part harmony supporting a repetitive melody characteristic of "both Western hymn composition and indigenous South African melodies. and that Thou mayst bless them. Malupnakanyisw' udumo lwayo; '"Lord Bless Africa"') and the Afrikaans song "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" (English: "The Call of South Africa"), which was formerly used as the South African national anthem from the late 1930s[1] to the mid-1990s. Sikelel' iAfrika was regarded as the national anthem of South Africa by the oppressed and it was always sung as an act of defiance against the apartheid regime. Sikelel' amalinga etu Bless the wives; Bless our chiefs; Sikelela kwa nomlisela It is still the national anthem of Tanzania and Zambia and has also been sung in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa for many … Italics denotes unrecognized, partially-recognized, or non-sovereign entities. The fourth and final stanza, sung in English, is a modified version of the closing lines of "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika". Italics denotes unrecognized, partially-recognized, or non-sovereign entities. Blot out all its wickedness [6] "Die Stem" (English: "The voice of South Africa") was the co-national anthem[7] with "God Save The King"/"God Save The Queen" between 1938 and 1957, when it became the sole national anthem until 1994. It was the official anthem of the African National Congress since 1925. It has also been recorded by Paul Simon and Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Boom Shaka, Osibisa, Oliver Mtukudzi (the Shona version that was once the anthem of Zimbabwe) and the Mahotella Queens. And its transgressions and sins, Lord bless us The song's origin dates back to 1897 when Enoch Mankayi Sontonga (1873 - 1905), a Xhosa composer, choir master and teacher from the Eastern Cape of South Africa composed the song. Solomon Plaatje, author and founding member of the ANC, was the first to have the song recorded in London, 1923. Maak ons van ons sondelewe vry Laat haar mag tot in die hemel reik Thina lusapho lwayo. During this period, South Africa's national anthem was "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika", also known as "Die Stem", an Afrikaans language song that chronicled the Voortrekkers and their "Great Trek". His hymn, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (“God Bless Africa”), went on to become Africa’s most famous anthem of black struggle against oppression. Enoch Mankayi Sontonga (ca. [11], For the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Morné du Plessis suggested that the Springboks learn all the words of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika", and "they did so with great feeling", according to their instructor Anne Munnik.[12]. The first half was arranged by Mzilikazi Khumalo[4] and the latter half of the song was arranged by Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph, who also wrote the final verse.[4][5]. Intervene and end all conflicts, A teacher and lay preacher from the Eastern Cape, Sontonga wrote the first verse and chorus of 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika' (God Bless Africa) in 1897 and later that year composed the music. Nkosi Sikelela Nkosi Sikelela The lyrics are sung in these languages regardless of the native language of the singer. Enoch Mankayi Sontonga (ca. and bless it. Yihla moya, yihla moya Hymn originally composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga. Descend, O Holy Spirit Hear thou our prayers VIDEO. (Repeat), Lord, bless Africa In 1927 seven additional Xhosa stanzas were later added by Samuel Mqhayi, a poet. Chorus When apartheid came to an end in the early 1990s, the future of "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" was called into question. understanding Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika, Woza Moya, Oyingcwele. Kom woon in ons, Chorus Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika And bless them. Awomanyana nokuzaka, Lord we ask You to protect our nation, of all the churches of this land; Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika ", "flatint: The South African National Anthem: a history on record", "PressReader.com - Connecting People Through News", "The surreal moment when a Harlem choir sings Die Stem for Winnie", "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika named best national anthem in the world", "EFF calls for removal of Die Stem on 120th anniversary of Enoch Sontonga's death", "Die Stem adulterates Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika – EFF", "Official South African government translation", National Anthem of South Africa – Streaming audio, lyrics and information, Brief introduction to the anthem and notation, The South African national anthem in MIDI format, The South African national anthem in MP3 format, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_anthem_of_South_Africa&oldid=994565611, Articles containing explicitly cited English-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 16 December 2020, at 11:05. Gzota zonk'indlala nezifo; The remaining verses were added in 1927 by Samuel E Mqhayi. It includes versions in Chichewa (Malawi and Zambia). Thus, lines from the apartheid-era national anthem's first stanza referencing the Voortrekkers' "Great Trek" were omitted, as "this was the experience of only one section of" South African society. During this period, South Africa's national anthem was "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika", also known as "Die Stem", an Afrikaans language song that chronicled the Voortr… Enoch Sontonga . It was first sung as a church hymn but later became an act of political defiance against the apartheid regime. May her glory be lifted high,[22]. "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (Xhosa pronunciation: [ŋkʼɔsi sikʼɛlɛl‿iafrikʼa], lit. [14] A new verse found in neither song was also added. This version uses several of the official languages of South Africa. "[6] The hymn was taken up by the choir of Ohlange High School, whose co-founder served as the first president of the South African Native National Congress. [4] The words of the first stanza and chorus were originally written in Xhosa as a hymn. Nkosi sikelela, Chorus [8][9] It was ultimately retained as the national anthem, though "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika", a Xhosa language song that was used by the anti-apartheid movement, was also introduced and adopted as a second national anthem of equal standing. Chorus May they remember their Creator; Your family. Cima bonk' ubugwenza bayo But he left an indelible legacy. "Die Stem" is a poem written by C. J. Langenhoven in 1918 and was set to music by the Reverend Marthinus Lourens de Villiers in 1921. Enoch Mankayi Sontonga was the composer of Nkosi Sikelel ‘iAfrika (God Bless Africa). In Kenya, Mang'u High School uses a translation, Mungu Ibariki Mang'u High, as its school anthem. Chorus Fear Him and revere Him, Some claim the melody is based on the hymn "Aberystwyth" by Joseph Parry, though others have called the connection far fetched. [17][18][19][20] Others defend the inclusion of the verse, pointing out that it is included in large part due to the wishes of the first post-apartheid South African president, Nelson Mandela, who intended its inclusion as a re-conciliatory measure for the post-apartheid future of South Africa.[21][11][12]. Pakamisa wonk'umtinjana It was won by Axali Doeseb, who wrote "Namibia, Land of the Brave" which was officially adopted on the first anniversary of the country's independence, in 1991. [7] The song was the official anthem for the African National Congress during the apartheid era and was a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement. The hymn was the national anthem of Zambia from independence in 1964 until 1973 when the lyrics were replaced by "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free".[13]. Seën ons, in Afrika The first two lines of the first stanza are sung in Xhosa and the last two in Zulu. In 1897, Enoch Sontonga, then a teacher, composed the hymn "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (God Bless Africa), which was later adopted by the liberation movement and, after 1994, became part of the national anthem of a democratic South Africa. ", "Encyclopedia of African History and Culture. Enoch Sontonga, a teacher and lay preacher from the Eastern Cape, died in obscurity in 1905 years ago, aged just 33. Bless the ministers National anthem of South Africa National anthem of Tanzania The South African composer Enoch Sontonga wrote the hymn “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.” The tune became part of South Africa ’s national anthem in 1994. May her spirit rise high up Enoch Mankayi Sontonga (c. 1873 – 18 April 1905) was a South African composer, who is best known for writing the song "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (English: "God Bless Africa"), which, in abbreviated version, has been sung as the first half of the National anthem of South Africa since 1994. [22], The South African national anthem as it appears specified in the South African, "National anthem of South Africa" (instrumental). Seën ons, in Afrika And also all young women; It was one of many songs he composed, and he was apparently a keen singer who composed the songs for his pupils. Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika In Xhosa, the words to the song that immortalized Enoch Sontonga are as follows: The national anthem of South Africa is a shortened, combined version of “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” (God Bless Africa) and “The Call of South Africa” (known in Afrikaans as “Die Stem van Suid Afrika”). May her spirit rise high up In other African countries throughout southern Africa, the song was sung as part of the anti-colonial movements. Instrumental Solo in G Major. May her horn rise high up; It was seldom sung in its entirety; usually, the first stanza was the most widely known and sung sometimes followed by the last stanza. In 1927 seven additional Xhosa stanzas[5] were added by the poet Samuel Mqhayi. Yizwa imithandazo yethu It was also … Outside of Africa, the hymn is perhaps best known as the long-time (since 1925) anthem of the African National Congress (ANC), as a result of the global anti-Apartheid Movement of the 1970s and 1980s, when it was regularly sung at meetings and other events. It was one of many songs he composed, and he was apparently a keen singer who composed the songs for his pupils. Bless our efforts of union and self-uplift, But he left an indelible legacy. [14] As such, the English portion of the new South African national anthem was the one which had its lyrics changed from the previous version. In Finland the same melody is used as the children's psalm "Kuule, Isä taivaan, pyyntö tää" ("Hear, Heavenly Father"). In 1952 the official English version of the national anthem, the Call of South Africa was accepted for official use. In 1927 seven additional Xhosa stanzas were added by the poet Samuel Mqhayi. 'Lord Bless Africa') is a Christian hymn originally composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a Xhosa clergyman at a Methodist mission school near Johannesburg. [14] During the drafting of the new national anthem, it was requested by South African president Nelson Mandela that it be no more than 1 minute and 48 seconds in length. For decades, during the apartheid regime, the song became the unofficial national anthem of South Africa though it was naturally banned by the regime. The hymn has appeared in Virsikirja, the hymnbook of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, with lyrics by Jaakko Löytty.[14]. Zimoyike zezimhlouele, (Repeat), Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika, Waar die kranse antwoord gee, From the blue of our skies, Yizwa imithandazo yethu Sikelel' amadol' esizwe, Lines borrowed from the two previous national anthems were modified to be more inclusive, omitting overt reference to specific groups of the country's population groups. [14], In recent years, the South African national anthem has come under criticism for its Afrikaans verse as it was originally part of the national anthem of South Africa that was used during the apartheid era,[16] with some such as the Economic Freedom Fighters calling for the verse to be removed because of this connection. The third stanza consists of a verbatim section of the former South African national anthem, "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika", and is sung in Afrikaans. The second stanza is sung in Sesotho. National Anthem of South Africa Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika was composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a teacher at a Methodist mission school in Johannesburg. (Repeat). Of education and mutual Ulitwal' ilizwe ngomonde, British musicologist Nicholas Cook states: "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" has a meaning that emerges from the act of performing it. Over our everlasting mountains, In South Africa our land. Zimbabwe and Namibia have since adopted new compositions for their national anthems. Endue them with Thy Spirit Lord, bless Africa A Swahili version of the hymn with modified lyrics is used as the national anthem of Tanzania under the name of "Mungu ibariki Afrika". Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a teacher at a Methodist mission school in Johannesburg. Translated from the Xhosa, the title means "God Bless Africa". Hear our prayers CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (, https://web.archive.org/web/20180601205935/http://www.nationalanthems.info/za-97b.htm, "An Anthem To Ignorance – The Case of 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, "How many national athems are plagiarised? 1873 - 18 April 1905) was the composer of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (God Bless Africa), which has been part of the South Africa n national anthem since 1994. During this period, the custom was to play "Die Stem" together with "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" during occasions that required the playing of a national anthem.[10][11][12]. [13] This was rectified when South Africa's dual national anthems were merged in abridged forms in early 1997[14] to form the current national anthem. O se boloke, O se boloke setshaba sa heso, Volume IV – The Colonial Era (1850 TO 1960)", "Nelson Mandela: the triumph of the protest song", "Full Nelson Mandela Inauguration on 10th of May 1994", "Die Stem, 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika' and 'Star Spangled Banner' – Mandela State Visit (1994)", https://www.c-span.org/video/?56689-1/south-african-flag-raising-ceremony, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nkosi_Sikelel%27_iAfrika&oldid=996469057, CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown, Articles containing explicitly cited English-language text, Articles to be expanded from September 2013, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 26 December 2020, at 20:08. Nkosi Sikelel, Afrika; Malupakam' upondo lwayo; The practice of having two national anthems proved to be a cumbersome arrangement as performing both of them took as much as five minutes. Seën ons Here God, seën Afrika In 1927 seven additional Xhosa stanzas were added by the poet Samuel Mqhayi. Zalisa ilizwe nempilo Setshaba sa, South Afrika, South Afrika. Yiva imitandazo yetu From the late 1940s to the early 1990s, South Africa was governed by a system known as apartheid, a widely condemned system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that was based on white supremacy and the repression of the black majority for the benefit of the politically and economically dominant Afrikaner minority and other whites. Neem dan nou die boosheid van ons weg Yihla Moya Oyingcwele Morena boloka setshaba sa heso, The song’s melody is currently used as the national anthem of Tanzania and the national anthem of Zambia; and since 1997, a portion of the national anthem of South Africa. SKU: MN0119996 Descend, O Holy Spirit The words of the first stanza were originally written in Xhosa as a hymn. It was replaced in 1994 by "Ngaikomborerwe Nyika yeZimbabwe" (English: "Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe"), but still remains very popular in the country. The words of the first stanza and chorus were originally written in Xhosa as a hymn. Woza Moya (woza, woza), From the depths of our seas, Uwusikilele. Hoor ons as ons U om vrede vra Kinders van Afrika Descend O Spirit PLAYLIST. The English version of "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" was less prominent than the Afrikaans version and thus could be changed with little objection or controversy. Ubasikelele. A version by the London Symphony Orchestra under André Previn was featured in the film Cry Freedom (1987).[16]. In 1996, a shortened, combined version of the two compositions was released as the new national anthem of South Africa under the constitution of South Africa and was adopted the following year. And bless them. British a cappella vocal ensemble The King's Singers released a recording of the song, arranged by Neo Muyanga, on their album Finding Harmony. [10] "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" was composed by a Methodist school teacher named Enoch Sontonga in 1897. The song's melody is currently used as the national anthem of Tanzania and the national anthem of Zambia. O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, But soon after, an official contest was organised for a new national anthem. Azisikelele. It was initially written as a hymn celebrating pan-Africanism against the oppressive regime of the time. That they may carry the land with patience, The new national anthem was performed at an opening of the South African parliament in February 1997,[15] and was published in the South African Government Gazette on 10 October 1997. Protect South Africa, South Africa.[22]. The song spread beyond the borders of South Africa and has been translated and adapted into a number of other languages. "Nkosi Sikelel' IAfrika" is a hymn which was written by Enoch Mankayi Sontonga (c1873-1905). Lord, bless Africa Sontongaoriginally composed the hymn in B-flat major with a four-part harmon… Descend, O Spirit John Langalibalele Dube's Ohlange Zulu Choir popularised the hymn at concerts in Johannesburg, and it became a popular church hymn that was also adopted as the anthem at political meetings. Yizwa imithandazo yethu, though others have called the connection far fetched. Oor ons ewige gebergtes, Because of its connection to the ANC, the song was banned by the regime during the apartheid era. Nkosi sikelela, Hear Thou our prayers and bless us. The lyrics employ the five of the most widely spoken of South Africa's eleven official languages – Xhosa (first stanza, first two lines), Zulu (first stanza, last two lines), Sesotho (second stanza), Afrikaans (third stanza), and English (final stanza). Lord, bless Africa Kinders van Afrika Print and download National Anthem of South Africa sheet music composed by Enoch Sontonga arranged for Piano. Nkosi Sikelel ‘iAfrika has been part of the South African national anthem since 1994. Yihla Moya, yihla Moya Lift up all the young girls Yihla moya oyingcwele The national anthem of South Africa was adopted in 1997 and is a hybrid song combining new English lyrics with extracts of the 19th century hymn "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (English: "God Bless Africa", lit. Rev. [7] "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" was first published in 1927. Hoor ons as ons in gebede vra It is still the national anthem of Tanzania and Zambia and has also been sung in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa for many years. And bless us. Sikelela abafundisi A Sotho version was published in 1942 by Moses Mphahlele. Boom Shaka, a prominent South African kwaito group, formed the anthem in kwaito style, a popular South African genre influenced by house music. Previously, it had been the official anthem of the African National Congress since 1925. Lei ons tot by eenheid en begrip Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika The southern African composer Enoch Sontonga wrote the hymn “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.” Sontonga’s composition became the national anthem of several African countries, including South Africa. The interpretation was controversial, and it was viewed by some as a commercial subversion of the anthem; Boom Shaka counter by stating that their version represents liberation and introduces the song to younger listeners. Bless the public men, Nkosi sikelela, Nkosi sikelela, Yiva imithandazo yethu Lord bless us, Lord bless us. Choirmaster and photographer Sontonga was also a schoolteacher; his most famous composition was written for his pupils in 1897, and was first sung in public two years later - in similar fashion to the light-hearted " Malupnakanyisw' udumo lwayo; His hymn “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” (God bless Africa) went on to become the continent’s most famous anthem of black struggle against oppression. lei ons, o Heilige Gees de Villiers Since 1997, the South African national anthem has been a hybrid song combining the hymn “Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika” and the former anthem “Die Stem van Suid-Afrika”. Zimkumbule umDali wazo; It was adopted as Zambia’s national anthem in 1960. Sikelela iNkosi zetu; The discovery of the grave, now a national monument, ended months of patient and ingenious detective work by city officials, archeologists and historians. Everybody has to listen to everyone else and move forward together. In 1994 it … Uit die blou van onse hemel, Lord bless us, your children.[22]. Ulisikelele. As a choirmaster in his school, Enoch Sontonga composed the first two stanzas of democratic South Africa’s anthem in 1897. "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" is the national anthem of Zambia. 1873 - 18 April 1905) was the composer of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (God Bless Africa), which has been part of the South African national anthem since 1994. Hou u hand, o Heer, oor Afrika (Repeat), Seën ons Here God, seën Afrika In this sense, singing it is a political act.[15]. [14] The new English lyrics were adapted from the last four lines of the first stanza of "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" (English: "The Call of South Africa"), with the changes made to reflect hope in post-apartheid South African society. "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" was used provisionally as the national anthem of Namibia at time of the country's independence in March 1990. It lies audibly at the interface between European traditions of 'common-practice' harmony and African traditions of communal singing, which gives it an inclusive quality entirely appropriate to the aspirations of the new South Africa ... Enlisting music's ability to shape personal identity, "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" actively contributes to the construction of the community that is the new South Africa. Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo Awemfundo nemvisiswano [5][14] Likewise, the words "Woza Moya", used in "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" were also omitted, as the phrase is a specifically Christian reference, rather than a generically religious one,[5] and thus not acceptable to South Africans of other religions, particularly Muslim South Africans.