[null, {"document_url": "https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Nkosi-Sikelel-iAfrika/602171", "unformatted_src": "https://cdn.britannica.com/40/180940-049-68B6C440.jpg", "src": "https://cdn.britannica.com/40/180940-049-68B6C440.jpg", "formatted_filename": "B C", "alt_text": "This video shows the Bloemfontein Children's Choir singing the South African national anthem. It\u2026"}, null, {"document_url": "https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Nkosi-Sikelel-iAfrika/602171", "unformatted_src": "https://safe.britannica.com/safeimages/bkids-article-gisted-module.png", "src": "https://safe.britannica.com/safeimages/bkids-article-gisted-module.png", "formatted_filename": "bkids article gisted module", "alt_text": "Click Here to subscribe"}, null, null, null]
This is an instrumental recording of the South African national anthem. It begins with the melody of …“Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” is the title of a song, and means “God Bless Africa.” It was first sung in South African churches in the isiXhosa language. It eventually became part of the national anthem of South Africa, as well as an anthem of Tanzania, Zambia, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Enoch Sontonga composed “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” in 1897. He wrote…