Issued by: Department of Arts Culture, Science and Technology
President Nelson Mandela, accompanied by a strong Cabinet contingent, will lead the Heritage Day celebrations on September 24 in honour of Enoch Sontonga who composed Nkosi Sikele' iAfrika. A memorial in honour of Sontonga will be unveiled and the President will also bestow an order of meritious service (gold) to Mrs Ida Rabotape, Sontonga's grandaughter.
Nkosi Sikele' iAfrika has captured the hearts of all South Africans. The importance of honouring its composer has been recognised by the government, eleven Cabinet ministers and nine deputy ministers will attend this event. In addition 37 ambassadors, 25 MECs and a host of MPs. DGs and other dignitaries such as Desmond Tutu will be attending the Heritage Day celebration.
The song, composed in 1897 and adopted by the African National Congress in 1925 as its closing anthem at meetings, has been sung throughout Africa. Nkosi Sikele' iAfrika is the national anthem of Tanzania and Zambia and was given similar status in SA in 1994.
Lionel Mtshali, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology and Gauteng Premier Tokyo Sexwale, will also attend the celebrations. Sexwale will open the Enoch Sontonga Memorial Park and John Kani will perform a narrative with music revealing more about the man Enoch Sontonga. In addition Show Ground roads will be renamed Enoch Sontonga Avenue.
Date: Tuesday September 24 Time: 10am Venue: Elizabeth Park next to Braamfontein cemetery, Johannesburg
Photos of Enoch Sontonga are available on request. Please contact Andile Xaba at 012 314 6313 for further information.