Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika

Lord Bless Africa

Classic Xhosa Version

The first verse and chorus of this version are the original words composed by Sontonga in 1897. The remaining verses were added in 1927 by Samuel E Mqhayi.

Nkosi, sikelel' iAfrika;                                Lord, bless Africa

Malupakam'upondo lwayo;                         May her horn rise up;

Yiva imitandazo yetu                                 Hear thou our prayers

Usisikelele.                                              And bless us

Chorus

Yihla Moya, Yihla Moya,                           The Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit 

Yihla Moya Oyingcwele                             The Holy Spirit will come down.

Sikelela iNkosi zetu;                                 Bless our chiefs;

Zimkumbule umDali wazo;                         May they remember their Creator,

Zimoyike zezimhlouele,                             Fear Him and revere Him,

Azisikelele.                                              That he may bless them

Sikelel' amadol' esizwe,

Sikelela kwa nomlisela

Ulitwal'ilizwe ngomonde,

Uwusikilele.

Sikelel'amakosikazi;

Nawo onk'amanenekazi;

Pakamisa wonk'umtinjana

Uwusikilele.

Sikelela abafundisi

Bemvaba zonke zelilizwe;

Ubatwese ngoMoya Wako

Ubasikelele.

Sikelel'ulimo nemfuyo;

Gxota zonk'indlala nezifo;

Zalisa ilizwe ngempilo

Ulisikelele

Sikelel'amalinga etu

Awomanyana nokuzaka,

Awemfundo nemvisiswano

Uwasikelele.

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika;

Cima bonk' ubugwenxa bayo

Nezigqito, nezono zayo

Uyisikelele.