CHRISTIANITY AND NATIONAL ANTHEM

Sir,

Please allow a liSwati a patriotic moment.
 I have been doing an interesting experiment with myself by listening to the national anthem first thing every morning for two years.

Out of the 54 national anthems in Africa, only about 26 make specific mention to the name of God.
After independence, most African countries substituted the name of God with terms like ‘victory’.

These terms are meaningless and inapt.

Glorify

Given the Zeus-like powers of the monarchy, one would reasonably expect the national anthem to glorify the King and the Queen Mother.
However, it does not, instead the focus is on the Almighty God.
The national anthem glorifies God by making specific mention of His name in the beginning through the vernacular name ‘Nkulunkulu’. It also adds another name ‘Somandla’ in the middle which is a sign that it is more of a prayer.
It closes nicely with the word ‘Simakadze’.

The South African national anthem also begins with the name of God but it ends differently.
This, however, is not to criticise it but just to state the differences between the two.

Unique

There is something unique here.
I have often wondered; what chord does this song strike in His Majesty the King  Ingwenyama and Her Majesty the Queen Mother each time they listen to this sacred song?
Remember that whether at home or abroad, they usually listen to this song while appreciating the national flag.

I am moved to tears when the song goes, ‘Nguwewedvwa Somandlawetfu’ (Thine alone is our Lord).
It is laughable that the white man braved dangerous oceans to come and tell us about God, whom we already knew through King Somhlolo’s dream.

Official religion

There was never a need to make Christianity the official religion of this country.
The country is Christian by virtue of its national anthem.
The white man will probably get away with forcing us to accept many things contrary to our culture such as abortion, homosexuality, neo-liberalism and so on. How will the white man eliminate God who is enshrined in our national anthem?

Lukhele Sibisi (nom de plume)
(Catholic priest in diaspora)

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