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Home » Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika Anniversary Tribute Videos

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika Anniversary Tribute Videos

To mark the 120th anniversary since Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika was composed (in 1897) and the 112th anniversary since the death of its composer Enoch Sontonga, here are some of our favourite videos of the African melody being performed… Sontonga, who died on 18 April 1905 at just 32, wrote the first two stanzas of Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika. It’s a […]

To mark the 120th anniversary since Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika was composed (in 1897) and the 112th anniversary since the death of its composer Enoch Sontonga, here are some of our favourite videos of the African melody being performed…

Sontonga, who died on 18 April 1905 at just 32, wrote the first two stanzas of Nkosi Sikelel iAfrika. It’s a song with a message to mobilize Southern Africans to “be patriotic to the African continent through a genuine prayer about its condition to God”, according to the EFF who paid tribute today. 
Sontonga, who was born in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape, was only 24 when he wrote the melody.
It makes up part of the South African national anthem, and is also the national anthem – sung in Swahili – for Tanzania (and in the past was the anthem for Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia too).

“Nkosi Sikelela is a call for blessings for the continent and its people,” said the EFF. 

The opposition party also pointed out that 120 years since the song was written the “continent continues to be one with poverty, war and suffering” and that the “anniversary of Nkosi Sikelela and that of Sontonga’s death must recommit us to seek a blessed Africa”.

To achieve this, the EFF called on the government to delete Die Stem from South Africa’s official anthem.

Watch Videos of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa)

N’Kosi Sikeleli (Miriam Makeba, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Paul Simon)

Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika (with lyrics)

South Africa vs New Zealand rugby 2014

https://youtu.be/TdG7pEgzV5Q

Soweto Gospel Choir – Tshepa Thapelo

https://youtu.be/f8gvpXRCOGc

Vietnamese School Children Sing Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika

South African teacher Rodwell Chigome taught his class in Vietnam to sing SA’s national anthem Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika…

South African Protestors in London Sing Shosholoza & Nkosi Sikilel ‘iAfrika last week

South African expats on Saturday 8 April 2017, standing and marching in solidarity with those back home… Video by CHAREEN RAE

South Africans Sing Anthem after Boks vs Scotland Rugby Match, 2014

South Africans abroad singing their national anthem with pride in Newcastle, UK, after the Springboks vs Scotland match (SA won!) in the Rugby World Cup, 2015. Video by Kevin Brouard.