Namibia
Namibia, Land of the Brave
1991
1991
Axali Doeseb
Axali Doeseb
🕊 Freedom ❤ Love of homeland 🤝 Unity 🏺 Ancestors / Heritage 💪 Resilience |
Key Facts
- 1. The anthem is performed in English even though fewer than 1% of Namibians speak it as a mother tongue; it was chosen as a neutral language among the country's 13 recognized ethnic groups.
- 2. Namibia's anthem is one of the few in Africa written entirely by a single person, with Axali Doeseb creating both the lyrics and the melody.
- 3. The anthem's melody draws on traditional Namibian musical patterns, blending Western hymn structure with indigenous rhythmic elements unique among Southern African anthems.
Lyrics
Namibia, land of the brave
Freedom fight we have won
Glory to their bravery
Whose blood waters our freedom
We give our love and loyalty
Together in unity
Contrasting beautiful Namibia
Namibia our country
Beloved land of savannahs
Hold high the banner of liberty
Their blood waters our freedom
The sun, the star and the stone
The tears of our past
In strength we now stand
All equal, all upright, all strong
Beloved Namibia
Mother of our land
We pledge to thee
Our devotion and love
We shall forever keep
Namibia free
Fight for justice hand in hand
Love the motherland
Glory to their bravery
Whose blood waters our freedom
Their tears of sorrow
In strength we now stand
All equal, all upright, all strong
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
EditorialAdopted in 1991, one year after Namibia gained independence from South African rule in 1990. Written and composed by Axali Doeseb. Namibia was the last African country to gain independence, and the anthem celebrates the hard-won freedom after decades of struggle.