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The national anthem of South Africa is a combined version of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika and The Call of South Africa (Die Stem van Suid-Afrika) and is played at all State occasions. The Call of South Africa was written by C.J. Langenhoven in May 1918. The music was composed by the Rev. M.L. de Villiers in 1921. Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a Methodist mission school teacher. The words of the first stanza were originally written in isiXhosa as a hymn. Seven additional stanzas in isiXhosa were later added by the poet Samuel Mqhayi. It became a popular church hymn that was later adopted as an anthem at political meetings. It has been translated into most of South Africa's official languages. To listen to the national anthem click here.
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