Nkosi Sikelel'iAfrika: (dis)harmony or Justice(?)

Abstract

This article examines a poem by N.S. Puleng, entitled Nkosi Sikelel'iAfrika. The poet employs prayer as a satirical mode of discourse in which he lampoons the system of apartheid in South Africa. Through the poem, Puleng advocates harmony and justice which are the binary inverses of what obtains in his country, South Africa. The poet borrows the techniques of Nkosi Sikelel'iAfrika, as composed by Sontonga, to make his statement of protest. The article further purports to argue that, given the ideological inherent conflicts embedded in the three texts, namely, the poem by Puleng and Sontonga's song, as well as the present national anthem of South Africa, the salad Nkosi Sikelel'iAfrika is a misnomer to the South African situation. A closer look at these texts reveals not only their pursuit of ‘harmony’ but also contributes to the (dis)harmony of relations between them and their intended meanings. The disharmony between Die Stem van Suid Afrika and Nkosi Sikelel'iAfrika reflects the ideological dialectics inherent in our country today. Although the idea is well-meant to pursue the ideals of simunyeism, that is, reconciliation, an analysis of the texts proves the exercise to be an ‘unholy’ act which attempts to ‘imprison’ the mirage of a rainbow (nation), an intellectual nation without habitat.