Zambia National Anthem

Introduction

The tune is taken from the hymn Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (God Bless Africa), which was composed by a South African, Enoch Sontonga, in 1897. The lyrics were composed after Zambian independence to specifically reflect Zambia, as opposed to Sontonga's lyrics which refer to Africa as a whole.

History

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika started to become popular in South Africa in 1923 as a Christian hymn. Its popularity spread around Africa through churches and the tune became associated with African nationalism movements. Following the passing of the Zambia Independence Act 1964 in the Parliament of the United Kingdom enacting Zambia's independence from the United Kingdom, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was adopted as the national anthem of Zambia, replacing God Save the Queen, the anthem of Northern Rhodesia. Shortly afterwards, it was decided that new words set to the tune of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika would be needed for Zambia's national anthem. A national competition was held for the new words. However, none of the entries were deemed good enough to be used in full for the anthem. As a result, six of the entries were merged to create "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" and the entrants selected were awarded prizes. The authors credited for the composition were G Ellis, E.S. Musonda, J.M.S. Lichilana, I Lowe, J Sajiwandani and R.J. Seal.

In 1973, the National Assembly passed the National Anthem Act, which legally defined the English lyrics of "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" as the national anthem of Zambia. The Act also made it an offence to "insult or bring into contempt or ridicule" the anthem and granted the President of Zambia the rights to prescribe how the anthem is sung and to restrict its use.

In 2005, Zambian women's groups petitioned for a number of the lyrics in "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" to be changed because they felt that they were too male orientated. In response, it was decreed that the current lyrics did include women in context and it was stated that "Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" was "composed of historical lyrics that reflect the country's heritage." In 2012, Professor Michelo Hansungule repeated the concerns that the anthem was too masculine. He also argued that because it had the same tune as the National Anthem of South Africa, it might have intellectual property implications and suggested that Zambia's sovereignty could be questioned.

Bemba version

First verse

Lumbanyeni Zambia, no kwanga, Ne cilumba twange tuumfwane, Mpalume sha bulwi bwa cine, Twaliilubula. Twikatane bonse.

Second Verse

Bonse tuli bana ba Africa, Uwasenaminwa na Lesa, Nomba bonse twendele pamo, Twaliilubula. Twikatane bonse.

Third Verse

Fwe lukuta lwa Zambia lonse, Twikatane tubyo mutende, Pamo nga lubambe mu mulu, Lumbanyeni Zambia. Twikatane bonse.

Chorus

(Sung After Third Verse Only)

Lumbanyeni, Lesa, Lesa, wesu, Apale calo, Zambia, Zambia, Zambia. Fwe bantungwa Mu luunga lwa calo. Lumbanyeni Zambia. Twikatane bonse.

English version


Stand and sing of Zambia, proud and free, Land of work and joy in unity, 
 Victors in the struggle for the right, 
 We've won freedom's fight. 
All one, strong and free. 



Africa is our own motherland, 
 Fashion'd with and blessed by God's good hand, 
 Let us all her people join as one, 
Brothers under the sun. 
 All one, strong and free. 



One land and one nation is our cry, 
 Dignity and peace 'neath Zambia's sky, 
Like our noble eagle in its flight, 
 Zambia-praise to thee. 
 All one, strong and free. 


Chorus (Sung after the third verse only)



Praise be to God, 
 Praise be, praise be, praise be, 
 Bless our great nation, 
 Zambia, Zambia, Zambia, 
 Free men we stand
 Under the flag of our land, 
 Zambia, praise to thee. 
 All one, strong and free.

See also

• The National Anthem Act