Educating locals on Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika
Retired teacher and local conductor Ludumo Magangane (60) will present a free lecture on Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika – The Hymn, on May 28.
The lecture is not only aimed at musicians and is open to anyone interested in the history of South Africa.
The purpose of this initiative is to help educate the community more on the subject following Magangane’s recently published book The National Anthem of South Africa.
The book traces the history of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika including the background of the composer Enoch Mankayi Sontonga, the history of Die Stem van Suid-Afrika including the backgrounds of poet Cornelis Jakobus Langenhoven and composer Reverend Marthinus Lourens de Villiers. The history of the events that led to the official national anthem is also traced in Magangane’s book.
Examples of music scores of Nkosi Sikelel’iAfrika, Die Stem van Suid-Afrika and the official national anthem are also in the book.
“The lecture will focus on Nkosi Sikel’iAfrika and it will look at the geographic and political situation in South Africa towards the end of the nineteenth century.
“It will then look at the birthplace of the composer of the hymn and how he finally landed in Johannesburg, ultimately composing the hymn.
“Furthermore it will highlight individuals and organisations who were instrumental in spreading the hymn while the last part of the lecture will look at heritage,” shares Magangane.
The lecture will start at 2.30pm at the KwaThema Central Methodist Church, in Kgaswane Street.
For more information on the lecture or the book, contact Magangane on 083 701 4228.
