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Enoch Sontonga
Enoch Mankayi Sontonga | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 1873 Uitenhage, Cape Colony |
| Died | 18 April 1905 (aged 32) Johannesburg, Transvaal Colony |
| Occupation(s) | Music composer, Teacher, Choirmaster, Poet |
Enoch Mankayi Sontonga (c. 1873 – 18 April 1905) was a South African composer, who is best known for writing the Xhosa hymn "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (English: "God Bless Africa"), which, in abbreviated version, has been sung as the first half of the national anthem of South Africa since 1994. Previously, it had been the official anthem of the African National Congress since 1925. It was also adopted by South Africa's newly formed northern neighbour, Zimbabwe and translated into Shona, "Ishe Komborera Afrika" from 1980 until 1994.
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