National Anthem Comparison
Eswatini vs South Africa
2
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
71
71 years apart
✓
Same continent
South Africa
National Anthem of South Africa
Comparison Analysis
Eswatini and South Africa, both Africa nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Eswatini's "Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi" was written in 1968, while South Africa's "National Anthem of South Africa" dates to 1897.
Both anthems share themes of God / Faith and Peace. Eswatini additionally explores Monarchy and Nature, while South Africa also touches on Unity, Diversity and Freedom.
The emotional tones differ: Eswatini's anthem is Prayerful, while South Africa's is Hopeful.
South Africa's anthem predates Eswatini's by 71 years, having been written in 1897 compared to 1968.
South Africa changed its national anthem in 1997, reflecting a shift in the nation's identity or political landscape.
Shared themes
Eswatini
✝ God / Faith 👑 Monarchy ☮ Peace 🌿 Nature
South Africa
🤝 Unity ✝ God / Faith 🌈 Diversity 🕊 Freedom ☮ Peace
Shared themes:
✝ God / Faith ☮ Peace
Metadata
| Eswatini | South Africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1968 | 1897 |
| Adopted | 1968 | 1997 |
| Lyricist | Andrease Enoke Fanyana Simelane | Enoch Sontonga / C.J. Langenhoven (combined) |
| Composer | David Kenneth Rycroft | Enoch Sontonga / M.L. de Villiers (combined) |
| Language | ss | multi |
| Region | Southern Africa | Southern Africa |
Lyrics Side by Side
Eswatini
Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati
Original
Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati,
Siyatibonga tonkhe tinhlanhla,
Sibonga iNgwenyama yetfu,
Live netintsaba nemifula.
Busisa tiphatsimandla temaSwati;
Nguwe wedvwa Somandla wetfu;
Sinike kuhlakanipha lokungenabucili;
Simise, usimakele,
Simakele.
Lordhi, busisa bonkhe labahle,
Labanemacebo ekusimisa netekusakha,
Kuze sonkhe sive.
Simise, usimakele,
Simakele.
Translation
Oh God, bestower of the blessings of the Swazi,
We are thankful for all our good fortune,
We give praise for our King,
And for our hills and rivers.
Bless those in authority in our land;
Thou alone art our Almighty;
Give us wisdom without guile;
Establish and strengthen us,
Strengthen us.
Lord, bless all who are righteous,
All who have counsel for establishing and building,
So that all the nation may see.
Establish and strengthen us,
Strengthen us.
South Africa
National Anthem of South Africa
Original
Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika
Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,
Yizwa imithandazo yethu,
Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo.
Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,
O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho,
O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,
Setjhaba sa South Afrika — South Afrika.
Uit die blou van onse hemel,
Uit die diepte van ons see,
Oor ons ewige gebergtes,
Waar die kranse antwoord gee.
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom
In South Africa our land.
Translation
Lord bless Africa,
May her glory be lifted high.
Hear our prayers,
Lord bless us, your children.
Lord bless Africa,
Banish wars and suffering,
Protect it, protect our nation,
The nation of South Africa.
Ringing out from our blue heavens,
From our deep seas breaking round,
Over everlasting mountains,
Where the echoing crags resound.
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom
In South Africa our land.
Interesting facts
Eswatini
- 1. The anthem is traditionally performed at the annual Incwala ceremony, a sacred kingship ritual unique to Eswatini where the king tastes the first fruits of the harvest.
- 2. Eswatini's anthem is one of the shortest in Africa, lasting under a minute when performed at standard tempo, making it notably brief for official ceremonies.
- 3. The siSwati lyrics reference 'Ingwenyama' (the Lion), the traditional title for the king, and 'Indlovukazi' (the She-Elephant), the title for the queen mother, who jointly serve as dual heads of state.
South Africa
- 1. Singers must switch between five languages mid-performance, and each language section uses a different musical key and tempo, making South Africa's anthem one of the most technically demanding for performers.
- 2. The anthem actually modulates upward in key partway through (from Bb major to D major at the 'Die Stem' section), a feature that catches unprepared singers off-guard and has led to many public vocal mishaps.
- 3. At the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, the Springboks' Afrikaner players sang the 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika' section and the Black South African fans sang 'Die Stem,' a moment Nelson Mandela later called one of the most moving of his presidency.
Listen
Eswatini
South Africa
