Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika

"Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (Xhosa pronunciation: [ŋkʼɔsi sikʼɛlɛl‿iafrikʼa], lit. 'Lord Bless Africa') is a Christian hymn originally composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a Xhosa clergyman at a Methodist mission school near Johannesburg.

The song became a pan-African liberation song and versions of it were later adopted as the national anthems of five countries in Africa including Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia and Zimbabwe after independence, and South Africa after the end of apartheid. The song's melody is still used as the national anthem of Tanzania and the national anthem of Zambia (Zimbabwe and Namibia have since changed to new anthems with original melody composition).

Lyrics

Historic lyrics

The words of the first stanza and chorus were originally written in Xhosa as a hymn. In 1927 seven additional Xhosa stanzas were added by the poet Samuel Mqhayi.

Xhosa

English translation

Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika Malupakam' upondo lwayo; Yiva imitandazo yetu Chorus Yihla Moya, yihla Moya Yihla Moya Oyingcwele Sikelela iNkosi zetu; Zimkumbule umDali wazo; Zimoyike zezimhlouele, Azisikelele. Sikelel' amadol' esizwe, Sikelela kwa nomlisela Ulitwal' ilizwe ngomonde, Uwusikilele. Sikelel' amakosikazi; Nawo onk'amanenekazi; Pakamisa wonk'umtinjana Uwusikilele. Sikelela abafundisi Bemvaba zonke zelilizwe; Ubatwese ngoMoya Wako Ubasikelele. Sikelel' ulimo nemfuyo; Gzota zonk'indlala nezifo; Zalisa ilizwe nempilo Ulisikelele. Sikelel' amalinga etu Awomanyana nokuzaka, Awemfundo nemvisiswano Uwasikele Nkosi Sikelel, Afrika; Cima bonk' ubugwenza bayo Neziggito, Nezono zayo Uwazikelele.

Lord, bless Africa May her horn rise high up; Hear Thou our prayers and bless us. Chorus Descend O Spirit Descend, O Holy Spirit Bless our chiefs; May they remember their Creator; Fear Him and revere Him, That He may bless them. Bless the public men, Bless also the youth That they may carry the land with patience, and that Thou mayst bless them. Bless the wives; And also all young women; Lift up all the young girls And bless them. Bless the ministers of all the churches of this land; Endue them with Thy Spirit And bless them. Bless agriculture and stock raising; Banish all famine and diseases; Fill the land with good health and bless it. Bless our efforts of union and self-uplift, Of education and mutual understanding And bless them. Lord, bless Africa Blot out all its wickedness And its transgressions and sins, And bless us.

Contemporary

Xhosa	Zulu	English	Afrikaans (as per Elvis Blue's version)
Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo Yiva imithandazo yethu Nkosi Sikelela Nkosi Sikelela Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo Yizwa imithandazo yethu Nkosi Sikelela Thina lusapho lwayo. Chorus Yihla moya, yihla moya Yihla moya oyingcwele Nkosi Sikelela Thina lusapho lwayo. (Repeat)	Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika, Malupnakanyisw' udumo lwayo; Yizwa imithandazo yethu Nkosi sikelela, Nkosi sikelela, Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika, Malupnakanyisw' udumo lwayo; Yizwa imithandazo yethu Nkosi sikelela, Nkosi sikelela, Chorus Woza Moya (woza, woza), Woza Moya (woza, woza), Woza Moya, Oyingcwele. Usisikelele, Thina lusapho lwayo. (Repeat)	Lord, bless Africa May her spirit rise high up Hear thou our prayers Lord bless us, Lord bless us. Lord, bless Africa May her spirit rise high up Hear thou our prayers Lord bless us Your family. Chorus Descend, O Spirit Descend, O Holy Spirit Lord bless us Your family. (Repeat)	Seën ons Here God, seën Afrika Laat haar mag tot in die hemel reik Hoor ons as ons in gebede vra Seën ons, in Afrika Kinders van Afrika Hou u hand, o Heer, oor Afrika Lei ons tot by eenheid en begrip Hoor ons as ons U om vrede vra Seën ons, in Afrika Kinders van Afrika Chorus Daal neer, o Gees, Heilige Gees Daal neer, o Gees, Heilige Gees Kom woon in ons, lei ons, o Heilige Gees Seën ons Here God, seën Afrika Neem dan nou die boosheid van ons weg Maak ons van ons sonde ewig vry Seën ons, in Afrika Kinders van Afrika (Repeat)