South Africa's National Anthem

SOUTH AFRICA?S NATIONAL ANTHEM

History
Nkosi sikelel? iAfrika was written as a hymn by Enoch Mankayi Sontonga in 1897. The African National Congress (ANC) adopted Nkosi sikelel? iAfrika as its anthem in 1925. Sung over the years at gatherings, protest meetings, conferences and funerals, this inspiring and moving song came to symbolise hope, unity and commitment to a just society. Die Stem van Suid Afrika was written by CJ Langenhoven in 1918 and set to music in 1921. It was officially sung for the first time at the hoisting of the (then) national flag in 1928, and became the only official national anthem of South Africa in
1957. In 1994, as the South African government transformed itself, it was decided that the ?Rainbow Nation? should adopt both anthems. It is with great pride that this new anthem is sung by a unified nation.

The National Anthem was proclaimed in 1997 and combines Nkosi Sikelel? iAfrica, Die Stem and The Call of South Africa

NKOSI SIKELEL?IAFRICA
Nkosi sikelel? iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw? uphondo lwayo
Yizwa imithandazo yethu
Nkosi Sikelela
Thina lusapho lwayo
Morena boloka sechaba sa heso
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyaho
O se boloke, o se boloke
Sechaba sa heso sechaba sa
South Africa, South Africa
Uit die blou van onse hemel
Uit die diepte van ons see
Oor ons ewige gebergtes
Waar die kranse antwoord gee
Sounds the call to come together
And united we shall stand
Let us live and strive for freedom
In South Africa our land

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