Tag: anthems

South African national anthem

I have a confession. After over 9 years living in SA, and after many more years owning a South African passport, I still do not know the words to this anthem by heart. In my defence it has 5 languages and multiple tunes all stitched together. Here it is, along with the different languages:

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika
(God Bless Africa)
Maluphakanyisw’ uphondo lwayo,
(Raise high Her glory)
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
(Hear our Prayers)
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo
(God bless us, we her children)		isiXhosa and isiZulu
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
(God protect our nation)
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho,
(End all wars and tribulations)
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
(Protect us, protect our nation)
Setjhaba sa South Afrika – South Afrika.
(Our nation South Africa – South Africa)		Sesotho
Uit die blou van onse hemel,
(Ringing out from our blue heavens)
Uit die diepte van ons see,
(From the depth of our seas)
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
(Over our everlasting mountains)
Waar die kranse antwoord gee,
(Where the echoing crags resound)		Afrikaans
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.		English
SA National Anthem

This inevitably reminds me of watching rugby. Once pay-TV reached Kenya, my family growing up would watch any rugby they could get their hands on. My mum is an ardent Springboks supporter and I followed suit, mumbling the words at the start of each match until the English bit, which I could sing with gusto.

More recently my children are learning the anthem in school here in SA. They have taught me how to sing the opening verse (even if i didn’t know what it meant until today!)

South Africa has been through an unprecedented lockdown to contain the Corona virus. This has been successful in stemming the spread of the virus. It has bought the government time to make some plans, and it has shown us a new way to live. However, the great economic cost means that we have to end the lockdown sooner or later. When the lockdown ends, it is likely that the virus will sweep through the country. A rather terrifying thought given the meagre medical and hospital systems we have here. There are just too many people.

For now, we do what we can each and every day to stay sane and stay safe.

Spare a thought for South Africa when lockdown ends.

Happy Tuesday, chimps.

National anthem of Kenya

When I was a boy, perhaps even now, the cinemas in Kenya would play the national anthem before the movie started. Everyone would stand up in the cinema while a scratchy video of the Kenyan flag fluttering in the breeze would play along with a marching band rendition of the anthem. Quaint military style and post-colonial nationalism, followed by Star Wars.

The words are as follows (English translation is below the Swahili version):

1 
Ee Mungu nguvu yetu 
Ilete baraka kwetu. 
Haki iwe ngao na mlinzi 
Natukae na undugu 
Amani na uhuru 
Raha tupate na ustawi

2
Amkeni ndugu zetu 
Tufanye sote bidii 
Nasi tujitoe kwa nguvu 
Nchi yetu ya Kenya, 
Tunayoipenda 
Tuwe tayari kuilinda.

3
Natujenge taifa letu 
Ee, ndio wajibu wetu 
Kenya istahili heshima 
Tuungane mikono 
Pamoja kazini 
Kila siku tuwe na shukrani.

1
O God of all creation
Bless this our land and nation.
Justice be our shield and defender
May we dwell in unity
Peace and liberty
Plenty be found within our borders.

2
Let one and all arise
With hearts both strong and true.
Service be our earnest endeavour,
And our Homeland of Kenya
Heritage of splendour,
Firm may we stand to defend.

3
Let all with one accord
In common bond united,
Build this our nation together
And the glory of Kenya
The fruit of our labour
Fill every heart with thanksgiving

In the cinema and throughout childhood, we would only ever sing the first verse. It’s a fairly good tune compared to some anthems out there, and I really hope the cinema tradition still stands, but somehow i doubt it.

Right now Kenya faces the prospect of biblical scale locust plagues and a pandemic. Spare a thought for the beautiful place.

Keep well and be safe. Happy Easter Sunday chimps.