Born around 1972 in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape Died 18 April 1905
Sontonga composed Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika which was to become the first chorus and verse in the national anthem of South Africa. The song was first sung in public in 1899 at the ordination of a Methodist minister. As a trained teacher, Sontonga later also trained as a choirmaster and photographer before writing the first verse and chorus of the song that became part of South Africa’s national anthem. S.E.K. M Mqhayi wrote the additional seven verses of the hymn.
The song – which is a prayer for God’s blessing on the land and its people - became the official national anthem of the African National Congress (ANC) after it was adopted at the first meeting of the South African Native National Congress, the forerunner of the ANC.
Sontonga’s grave was declared a national monument and memorial site, unveiled by President Nelson Mandela in September 1996. The South African Order of Meritorious Service (Gold) was bestowed on Sontonga during the same ceremony.
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