God bless Africa

I believe that our challenge in South Africa today is not crime, poverty and unemployment, but rather a lack of pride in ourselves as a nation. I look around daily and hear the bitter complaints about the taxis riding all over the place, people throwing papers out of car windows, “gentleman” urinating next to the road and wonder how it is that as South Africans we have so little or no pride in our country.

People constantly tell me on the best authority that the world cup is going to be a gemors, that there is no future in this country and that we should get our kids out as quickly as possible.While watching a test in Mozambique not to long ago, the national anthem plays and all the guests stay seated drinking, smoking, chatting away and having a laugh. There was a time not too long ago that many of you may remember; when the anthem played we at least stood up. Today there is a whole generation that does not know the anthem. This includes the parts in their mother tongue.

I have included the words and translation to the anthem in this article and challenge you to not only read it but learn it. Be the one at the next international rugby test or soccer match that stands up and sings the anthem with pride.We have achieved so much and are such an incredible people living in an awesomely beautiful country. As a nation we need to start by extending our hands back to ourselves instead of constantly expecting government to fix our problems.We take our country back when we stand and say, I am a proud South African and demonstrate it by at least knowing the words to the national anthem. The next time someone complains about this beautiful country and her people, ask them to sing the anthem or shut up.

The National Anthem
Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo,Yizwa imithandazo yethu,Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso,O fedise dintwa la matshwenyeho,O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso,Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika.Uit die blou van onse hemel,Uit die diepte van ons see,Oor ons ewige gebergtes,Waar die kranse antwoord gee, Sounds the call to come together,And united we shall stand,Let us live and strive for freedom,In South Africa our land.

God Bless AfricaOriginal Lovedale English Translation
Lord, bless Africa;May her horn rise high up;Hear Thou our prayers And bless us. ChorusDescend, O Spirit,Descend, O Holy Spirit.Bless our chiefsMay they remember their Creator.Fear Him and revere Him,That He may bless them. Bless the public men,Bless also the youthThat they may carry the land with patienceand that Thou mayst bless them. Bless the wivesAnd also all young women;Lift up all the young girlsAnd bless them. Bless the ministersof all the churches of this land;Endue them with Thy SpiritAnd bless them. Bless agriculture and stock raisingBanish all famine and diseases;Fill the land with good healthAnd bless it. Bless our effortsof union and self-uplift,Of education and mutual understandingAnd bless them. Lord, bless AfricaBlot out all its wickednessAnd its transgressions and sins,And bless it.