Zambia National Anthem: Difference between revisions

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Added photo of Enoch Sontonga, composer of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika
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== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Enoch Sontonga.jpg|100px|thumbnail|right|Enoch Sontonga, composer of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika]]
''Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika'' started to become popular in South Africa in 1923 as a Christian hymn. Its popularity spread around Africa through churches and the tune became associated with African nationalism movements. Following the passing of the [[Zambia Independence Act 1964]] in the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacting Zambia's independence from the United Kingdom, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was adopted as the national anthem of Zambia,<ref name=zam>[http://www.zambezitraveller.com/livingstone/history/zambia%E2%80%99s-national-anthem-history Zambia's national anthem: a history, Zambezi Traveller, 26 June 2013]</ref> replacing ''God Save the Queen'', the anthem of [[Northern Rhodesia]]. Shortly afterwards, it was decided that new words set to the tune of ''Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika'' would be needed for Zambia's national anthem. A national competition was held for the new words. However, none of the entries were deemed good enough to be used in full for the anthem. As a result, six of the entries were merged to create "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" and the entrants selected were awarded prizes. The authors credited for the composition were G Ellis, E.S. Musonda, J.M.S. Lichilana, I Lowe, J Sajiwandani and R.J. Seal.<ref name=zam />
''Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika'' started to become popular in South Africa in 1923 as a Christian hymn. Its popularity spread around Africa through churches and the tune became associated with African nationalism movements. Following the passing of the [[Zambia Independence Act 1964]] in the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacting Zambia's independence from the United Kingdom, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was adopted as the national anthem of Zambia,<ref name=zam>[http://www.zambezitraveller.com/livingstone/history/zambia%E2%80%99s-national-anthem-history Zambia's national anthem: a history, Zambezi Traveller, 26 June 2013]</ref> replacing ''God Save the Queen'', the anthem of [[Northern Rhodesia]]. Shortly afterwards, it was decided that new words set to the tune of ''Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika'' would be needed for Zambia's national anthem. A national competition was held for the new words. However, none of the entries were deemed good enough to be used in full for the anthem. As a result, six of the entries were merged to create "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" and the entrants selected were awarded prizes. The authors credited for the composition were G Ellis, E.S. Musonda, J.M.S. Lichilana, I Lowe, J Sajiwandani and R.J. Seal.<ref name=zam />