“Nkosi Sikelela iAfrica.”
It would be no exaggeration to say that these Xhosa words are as familiar in South Africa as the greeting, “Molo.” Whether sung at sporting events, school assemblies, or backyard braais, they unite the nation. These words, though not always in one’s first language, have become a national identifier—a touchstone of home. Yet, how much do we really know about the man behind the anthem? This is the legacy of Enoch Sontonga, but what else do we know about the composer of South Africa’s national anthem?
This question haunted Lungile Themba for over a decade. A creative visionary and storyteller, Lungile spent years contemplating the life of Sontonga, the man behind “Nkosi Sikelela iAfrica.” After 14 years of imagining this story, Lungile brought his vision to life on stage through a musical titled “Sikelela”. What began as an idea stuck in his subconscious became a full-fledged production, with Sikelela debuting in Johannesburg before touring to Bloemfontein, Gqeberha, and finally Cape Town.
I had the privilege of attending the show’s second night at the Masque Theatre in Muizenberg on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Little did I know that I was about to embark on an emotional journey, one that transported me back to a time I had only imagined. The show, brought to life by Lungile and his production company, Nal’iThemba, was an unforgettable celebration of our country’s history, and culture.
And the music… Oh, the music. It was so incredibly moving, so authentically South African. From the opening notes, the cast’s sheer talent and ability to convey the story through song kept the audience spellbound. And that’s the magic of Sikelela—its ability to not only tell the story of Enoch Sontonga but also immerse its audience in a rich musical experience.
A few days after the performance, I had the opportunity to sit down with Lungile to understand how this musical history lesson came to be.
“It was Covid,” Lungile said, reflecting on what finally motivated him to bring the project to life in 2020. “Everyone was at home with a lot of time to think. I was with a close varsity friend who knew I’d been writing a musical. I’ve always wanted to write an original story, but I had had challenges with that. When he mentioned ‘Enoch Sontonga,’ the penny dropped.”
This moment prompted Lungile to go back and listen to the music he’d written, and he found that it all pointed toward Nkosi Sikelela iAfrica. He had been writing about Enoch Sontonga without even realising it, envisioning him as a man in a top hat and a tux — a character waiting to come to life.
But bringing the story of such a monumental figure to the stage wasn’t without its challenges. Producing Sikelela independently, Lungile faced numerous obstacles — especially financial ones. “I had to work hard to raise funds for the production. We knocked on the right doors, and thankfully, organisations like the National Arts Council (NAC) and the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture (SAC) came through for us.”
For Lungile, Sikelela is more than just a theatre project — it’s an archive and an education tool. “Enoch Sontonga is an unsung hero. We sing his national anthem, but many don’t know who he was. His story isn’t well-archived, which added to the challenge of telling it. This play is my way of preserving his legacy and making it accessible and entertaining, even to children. I want them to see this as a history lesson,” he said.
A pivotal moment in the musical’s development came when a descendant of Sontonga attended one of the performances and gave Lungile his blessing to carry on this important legacy.
One of the standout features of Sikelela is its inclusion of sign language in the choreography — a nod to South Africa’s recent recognition of sign language as an official language. “We’re teaching people how to sign the national anthem,” Lungile explained, smiling as he recalled the impact it had on audiences, particularly in Cape Town. “You remembered the sign language and the songs,” he noted during our interview. “That’s the goal — to create something so memorable that people leave the theatre wanting to teach it to others.”
Lungile’s decision to present much of the show in Xhosa and Zulu was deliberate, aiming to root the production in an African perspective. “I thought I was writing a show for black people, so I was surprised that the audience at the Masque Theatre was predominantly white.” Although Nguni languages were extensively used, the Masque Theatre audience followed the story effortlessly—a testament to Lungile’s exceptional storytelling, which transcended language barriers and brought Sontonga’s narrative to life.
Nkosi Sikelela iAfrica is a song that transcends time and generations, much like Sontonga himself. Through Sikelela, Lungile is ensuring that Sontonga’s story is no longer just an unsung melody—it’s a rich, vibrant chapter in South Africa’s cultural history.
As for what’s next for Nal’iThemba Productions, Lungile is already looking ahead. “We’ll be releasing a concept album for Sikelela between now and December, and we’re exploring taking the production to international stages. I’m also working on another project, The Prodigal Man, which did well when we first launched it. Film and TV are also in my sights.”
Before we wrapped up, I asked him for his advice to emerging artists: “It’s important for young people to understand the business of entertainment. We neglect that side which leads to being exploited. All artists need that education so I hope institutions that teach and train artists can prioritise this. And most importantly, listen to the voice that gives you your vision. That’s your Maker talking to you — follow that voice.”
It has been several days since I left the Masque Theatre yet I find myself still humming the tunes of Sikelela, and still feeling inspired. Lungile had ensured that Sontonga’s legacy would not only be preserved but reignited for a new generation — one song, one dance, one story at a time.
