Google honours composer of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
The composer of South African anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (God Bless Africa) has been the subject of this year's Google Doodle as South Africans celebrated Freedom Day yesterday.
Celebrated on April 27, Freedom Day marks the first post-apartheid elections held on that day in 1994.
Enoch Sontonga ( 1873 - 1905) - a poet and choirmaster - composed the first two verses of the anthem in Xhosa in 1897.
As the country ushered in democracy, Nkosi Sikelel ‘iAfrika and Die Stem van Suid Afrika became the official national song.
Freedom Day also gave way to the election of the country's first democratically elected, president Nelson Mandela.
Today's Google Doodle Celebrating #FreedomDay & Enoch Sontonga, the composer of “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” (“God Bless Africa”), in 1897. pic.twitter.com/25df5mTXaA
— South African Gov (@GovernmentZA) April 27, 2017
Today's #GoogleDoodle in South Africa celebrates Freedom Day and composer Enoch Sontonga 🎶 → https://t.co/bp8oV8WVKm pic.twitter.com/emYpfi4Zoi
— Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) April 27, 2017