South Africa national anthem lyrics: Does it have two songs and which languages are used in it?
THE British and Irish Lions are in South Africa as they get their eagerly awaited tour underway.
And first there will be the small matter of the national anthems, though only the South African anthem will be sung.
The national anthem the Springboks will belt out against the Lions is unique in that it is comprised of two completely different songs.
Why does the South Africa national anthem have two songs and what is it called?
The South Africa national anthem is comprised of two songs merged together.
They are Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (Lord, Bless Africa) – the African National Congress’ official anthem – and Die Stem van Suid-Afrika (The Call of South Africa) which was the national anthem during Apartheid.
When the Springboks won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, both songs were recognised as national anthems with equal standing and played at the tournament, before they were merged into one in 1997.
Although the anthem is often referred to as simply Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, it’s official name is the National Anthem of South Africa.
What languages are sung in the South Africa national anthem?
Five different languages are used in the National Anthem of South Africa, three of which are sung in Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika and two in Die Stem van Suid-Afrika.
The first two lines of the first verse of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika are sung in Nelson Mandela’s native Xhosa, with the second two lines in Zulu.
The entire four lines of the second verse are then sung in Sesotho.
The first verse of Die Stem van Suid-Afrika is sung in Afrikaans and is entirely unchanged from the Apartheid version – something that has caused controversy in some circles in South Africa, but was also personally insisted upon by Mandela.
The final verse is in English, although slightly modified from the Apartheid version.
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What are the lyrics to the South Africa national anthem?
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika
Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (Xhosa)
Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo (Xhosa)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu, (Zulu)
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho Iwayo. (Zulu)
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, (Sesotho)
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, (Sesotho)
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso, (Sesotho)
Setjhaba sa, South Afrika, South Afrika. (Sesotho)
Die Stem van Suid-Afrika
Uit die blou van onse hemel, (Afrikaans)
Uit die diepte van ons see, (Afrikaans)
Oor ons ewige gebergtes, (Afrikaans)
Waar die kranse antwoord gee, (Afrikaans)
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom
In South Africa our land.
What are the English lyrics to the national anthem of South Africa?
Lord bless Africa
May her glory be lifted high,
Hear our petitions
Lord bless us, your children.
Lord we ask You to protect our nation,
Intervene and end all conflicts,
Protect us, protect our nation,
Protect South Africa, South Africa.
Out of the blue of our heavens,
From the depths of our seas,
Over everlasting mountains,
Where the echoing crags resound,
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom
In South Africa our land.