Enoch Sontonga

Date: 24 September, 1996

On 24 September 1996, Heritage Day, the grave of Enoch Sontonga who composed and wrote the first verse and chorus of Nkosi, Sekelel' iAfrika, was declared a national monument. A fitting memorial, erected on the site, was unveiled by President Nelson Mandela. At the ceremony President Nelson Mandela awarded the Order of Meritorious Service (Gold) posthumously to Sontonga for his service to our country. His granddaughter, Mrs Ida Rabotape received the award.

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, our national anthem, is a prayer for God's blessing on the land and all its people. A well-known Xhosa poet, Samuel Mqhayi, wrote seven additional stanzas for the song.

Sources:

1. Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
2. http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=240&Itemid=51