Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika

South Africa

apartheid

Translated as "Lord Bless Africa," "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" served as South Africa's anthem alongside the apartheid-era "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" during the years 1994-1997, to the anger of many. In 1996, excerpts from both songs were utilized to create a new national anthem. It was a common song in many independence movements and variations were made into the national anthems of Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The song was originally a Christian hymn composed by Xhosa clergyman, Enoch Sontonga, and is featured at the end of the single release of Peter Gabriel's song "Biko." Sontonga wrote the music and the initial stanzas before Xhosa poet Samuel Mqhayi added further stanzas in the early 20th century. The song was later adopted by the African National Congress as their official anthem and it quickly became a symbol of the anti-apartheid movement. Due to its connection with the ANC, it was banned by the government. The lyrics speak to a sense of liberation and unity in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent.

composer: Enoch Sontonga

lyrcist: Enoch Sontonga

lyrcist: Samuel Mqhayi

1897

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Xhosa

genre: Christian hymn

genre: national anthem

South Africa

Redmond, Shana L. "Sounds of Exile: “Nkosi Sikelel’ IAfrika” and ANC Ambassadors." In Anthem: Social Movements and the Sound of Solidarity in the African Diaspora, 221-60. NYU Press, 2014. Accessed July 14, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt9qfdpd.10.

Miriam Makeba

Ladysmith Black Mambazo

Paul Simon

Sandy Trand

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika [Youtube]