Enoch Sontonga
Enoch Mankayi Sontonga | |
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Choirmaster, Poet |
Enoch Mankayi Sontonga (c. 1873 – 18 April 1905) was a South African composer, who is best known for writing the Xhosa hymn "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. Previously, it had been the official anthem of the African National Congress since 1925. It was also adopted by South Africa's newly formed northern neighbour, Zimbabwe and translated into Shona, "Ishe Komborera Afrika" from 1980 until 1994.
Early life and education
Sontonga, a
Career
The first verse and chorus of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" was
Sontonga died on 18 April 1905. According to his death certificate, he died of gastro-enteritis and a perforated appendix which was a common cause of death at the time - the water was not very safe. [2]
Personal life
Sontonga married Diana Mgqibisa, the daughter of a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and they had a son. Mgqibisa died in 1939.[1]
Legacy
The song started to be more well known after John Langalibalele Dube's Ohlange Institute's choir used it. They played it at the South African Native National Congress meeting in 1912. It was sung after the closing prayer and the ANC adopted it as its official closing anthem in 1925. It was recorded in London as "Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika" in 1923 and it was published by the Lovedale Press in 1927.[1]
For many years, the site of Sontonga's grave was unknown, but it was finally located in the "Native Christian" section of the Braamfontein cemetery in the early-1990s. One of the reasons why the location of his grave remained a mystery is that it was listed under the name "Enoch" and not by his surname "Sontonga".
On 24 September 1996, Sontonga's grave was declared a national monument and a memorial on the site was unveiled by then-President Nelson Mandela. At the same ceremony, the South African Order of Meritorious Service (Gold) was bestowed on Enoch Sontonga posthumously.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f Enoch Mankayti Sontonga, SAHistory.org.za, accessed July 2013
- ^ a b Remembering Sontonga, SouthAfrica.info, accessed July 2013
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