National Anthem Comparison
Tanzania vs South Africa
4
Shared themes
✗
Different moods
64
64 years apart
✓
Same continent
South Africa
National Anthem of South Africa
Comparison Analysis
Tanzania and South Africa, both Africa nations, take distinct approaches to their national anthems. Tanzania's "God Bless Africa" was written in 1961, while South Africa's "National Anthem of South Africa" dates to 1897.
Both anthems share themes of God / Faith, Unity, Peace and Freedom. Tanzania additionally explores Love of homeland, while South Africa also touches on Diversity.
The emotional tones differ: Tanzania's anthem is Prayerful, while South Africa's is Hopeful.
South Africa's anthem predates Tanzania's by 64 years, having been written in 1897 compared to 1961.
South Africa changed its national anthem in 1997, reflecting a shift in the nation's identity or political landscape.
Shared themes
Tanzania
✝ God / Faith 🤝 Unity ☮ Peace 🕊 Freedom ❤ Love of homeland
South Africa
🤝 Unity ✝ God / Faith 🌈 Diversity 🕊 Freedom ☮ Peace
Shared themes:
✝ God / Faith 🤝 Unity ☮ Peace 🕊 Freedom
Metadata
| Tanzania | South Africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Written | 1961 | 1897 |
| Adopted | 1961 | 1997 |
| Lyricist | Collective | Enoch Sontonga / C.J. Langenhoven (combined) |
| Composer | Enoch Sontonga (melody) | Enoch Sontonga / M.L. de Villiers (combined) |
| Language | sw | multi |
| Region | East Africa | Southern Africa |
Lyrics Side by Side
Tanzania
Mungu ibariki Afrika
Original
Mungu ibariki Afrika
Wabariki viongozi wake
Hekima, umoja na amani
Hizi ni ngao yetu
Afrika na watu wake.
Ibariki Afrika
Ibariki Afrika
Tubariki watoto wa Afrika.
Mungu ibariki Tanzania
Dumisha uhuru na umoja
Wake kwa waume na watoto
Mungu ibariki
Tanzania na watu wake.
Ibariki Tanzania
Ibariki Tanzania
Tubariki watoto wa Tanzania.
Mungu ibariki Tanzania
Tubariki nchi yetu
Kwa haki na usawa
Amani na upendo
Kwa nchi yetu Tanzania.
Ibariki Tanzania
Ibariki Tanzania
Tubariki watoto wa Tanzania.
Translation
God bless Africa,
Bless its leaders.
Wisdom, unity and peace,
These are our shields,
Africa and her people.
Bless Africa,
Bless Africa,
Bless us, the children of Africa.
God bless Tanzania,
Grant eternal freedom and unity
To its women, men and children.
God bless
Tanzania and its people.
Bless Tanzania,
Bless Tanzania,
Bless us, the children of Tanzania.
God bless Tanzania,
Bless our country.
With justice and equality,
Peace and love,
For our country Tanzania.
Bless Tanzania,
Bless Tanzania,
Bless us, the children of Tanzania.
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
Tanzania
- 1. Tanzania's anthem is sometimes called the 'prayer anthem' because its entire text reads as a direct supplication to God, with no mention of war, enemies, or struggle, which is unusual for African anthems.
- 2. The anthem is performed at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro by Tanzanian climbing guides as a tradition when their groups reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
- 3. Unlike most African nations that changed anthems after independence, Tanzania has never altered a single word of its anthem since 1961, making it one of the most stable anthems on the continent.
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.
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Tanzania
South Africa
