A lecture of the national anthem
Community members gathered at the KwaThema Central Methodist Church to learn more about Nkosi Sikele’ iAfrika – the hymn by Enoch Sontonga.
The lecture was given by local conductor Ludumo Magangane last Saturday with the aim to help educate community members about the origins of the hymn and its author.
Magangane took locals right back to the 18th century where the hymn was first sung publicly and how it changed from pure Xhosa to have isiZulu infused in the lyrics.
The conductor also explained what each stanza means and what it stood for at that time when the poet wrote the lyrics.
According to Magangane the hymn still forms part of the national anthem of Zambia and was also sung as a national anthem in Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe until the countries received independence.
“The hymn was a sign of upholding strength and envisioning a better Africa for all who lived in it,” says the conductor.
He also touched on how the musical composition came about to what we sing as a national anthem.
“The hymn was sung spontaneously at every closing ANC meeting, back when it was still called South African Native Congress.
“The power of the message given by the hymn touch so many people in different parts of Africa which gave the hymn the popularity it still has,” he adds.
