South Africa’s national anthem is a combined version of “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” and “The Call of South Africa” composed by Enoch Sontonga in 1897 and CJ Langenhoven in 1918. The combined version became South Africa’s official national anthem in 1997.
It is the only national anthem that starts in one key and ends in another. The lyrics are written South Africa’s most populous official languages – isiXhosa, isiZulu, seSotho, Afrikaans and English. The first stanza of the anthem is written in Xhosa and Zulu, the second stanza is written in Sesotho while the last two stanza are written in Afrikaans and English.
South Africa’s national anthem lyrics
Lord bless Africa
May her glory be lifted high
Hear our petitions
Lord bless us, your children
Lord we ask You to protect our nation
Intervene and end all conflicts
Protect us, protect our nation
Protect South Africa, South Africa
Out of the blue of our heavens
Out of the depths of our seas
Over our everlasting mountains
Where the echoing crags resound
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand,
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land.
Source: http://www.southafrica.info/