Enoch Mankayi Sontonga was a South African composer, who is best known for writing the Xhosa song “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”, which, in an abbreviated version, has been sung as the first half of the National anthem of South Africa since 1994.
It was also adopted by South Africa’s newly formed northern neighbour, Zimbabwe and translated into Shona, “Ishe Komborera Afrika” from 1980 until 1994.
Enoch Sontonga
BORN: 1873
HOME TOWN: Uitenhage, Cape Colony
SPOUSE: Diana Mgqibisa (m. ?–1905)
DIED: 18 April 1905 (aged 32)
PLACE OF DEATH: Johannesburg, Transvaal Colony
RESTING PLACE: Braamfontein Crematorium, Johannesburg, South Africa
CHILDREN: Jefferson Greely Sontonga.
OCCUPATION: Composer, Songwriter, Poet, Photographer, Conductor
AWARDS: President Nelson Mandela awards the Gold Order of Meritorious Service posthumously to Enoch Sontonga, composer of “Nkosi, Sekel. On 24 September 1996…
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