X (formerly Twitter) user finds out that the popular ‘Nkosi sikel’iAfrica’ song, which is the country’s national anthem, is also the national anthem of other SADC countries, namely Zambia and Tanzania.
This past week, Zambia clashed with Sierra Leone in an Africa Cup of Nations (CAF) match-up, and as is done before any international match, the national anthems of both nations were sung. An unsuspecting X user was taken aback when the Zambian national anthem played, as it bared a great resemblance to that of his own.
User @Zweli_Thixo expressed his shock at hearing the Zambian national anthem, claiming that he was not aware that these two SADC countries, as well as Tanzania, shared the late great Enoch Sontonga’s original composition as a national anthem. “I wasn’t aware that all southern African countries have a similar national anthem,” he says.
I wasn’t aware that all southern African countries have a similar national anthem. ? pic.twitter.com/tdTwxVVwYd
— GOD GULUVA (@Zweli_Thixo) September 15, 2024
This revelation led to many other users admitting that they also were not aware of this crucial piece of history, and some countrymen turned this interaction into a learning moment. The users revealed how Enoch Sontonga composed ‘Nkosi sikelel’iAfrica’ in 1897, and according to the official South African government website, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika was popularised at concerts held in Johannesburg by Reverend JL Dube’s Ohlange Zulu Choir. It became a popular church hymn that was later adopted as an anthem at political meetings. It was sung as an act of defiance during the Apartheid years.”
Enoch Sontonga’s hymn evolved to a struggle anthem not only for the ANC but for several anti colonial movements on the continent. Countries like Zambia adopted the melody which they used for their national anthems as a show of solidarity with South Africa’s liberation movement. https://t.co/YbE97jacxO
— Zikhona Valela (@valavoosh) September 16, 2024
The hymn then became a pan-African liberation song and was adapted as the national anthem of five SADC countries, namely Zambia, Namibia Tanzania Zimbabwe and South Africa.
As expected from mzansi internet users, the jokes started flying around, with Zweli claiming that the next national anthem should be composed by DJ Maphorisa, which would mean no other country would acquire the masters for the song as the producer is infamous for controversies revolving masters.
I want the next anthem to be from Maphorisa… so he can keep the masters in South Africa.?
— GOD GULUVA (@Zweli_Thixo) September 15, 2024
Also see: WATCH: Internet users recreate Lebo Keswa’s podcast interview
