SA composer Benjamin Tyamzashe is born

Date: 5 Sep 1890
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

South African composer, choir conductor, organist and teacher, Benjamin Tyamzashe, affectionately known as 'B-ka-T', was born in Kimberley in 1890. B-ka-T gained national popularity through the music that he composed. His music enjoys a wide popularity within the education sector and is preferred during schools music festivals. He was the only composer and choir conductor of his generation to have his song "Zweliyaduduma" sung to the British Royal family in Umtata, during their visit to SA in 1947, B-ka-T conducted the song to a mass choir of 3000 voices.

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How we know this

01Verwey, E. J. (1995). New dictionary of South African Biography, Vol. 1, Pretoria: HSRC, p. 247.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). SA composer Benjamin Tyamzashe is born. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011141

South African History Online (2011) 'SA composer Benjamin Tyamzashe is born', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011141 (Accessed: 2 October 2026).

South African History Online, SA composer Benjamin Tyamzashe is born [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011141, (accessed 2 October 2026).

"SA composer Benjamin Tyamzashe is born." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011141. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "SA composer Benjamin Tyamzashe is born." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011141.