Renowned South African composer Mzilikazi Khumalo passes away

Khumalo is most notably remembered for being on the committee that combined the ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’ hymn with ‘Die Stem’ to form the post-apartheid South African national anthem.

“It is with great sadness that the Khumalo family announces the passing of our beloved father Prof Mzilikazi James Khumalo,” his family said in a statement on Tuesday. “He passed away in the early hours of this morning. Our father was a celebrated composer and custodian of choral music. We will therefore be celebrating his legacy and will share information pertaining to his memorial service and funeral arrangement in due course.” 

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa said that “Prof Khumalo was a colossal figure in South Africa’s arts and cultural landscape. He was undoubtedly an authority in literature and African languages, who deserved every accolade that he received in his lifetime.

“As the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, we celebrate his contribution to the arts and heritage landscape and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, his friends and to the industry at large. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Conductor and Khumalo’s long-time friend, Richard Cock, who also served on the committee that integrated the national anthem, said: “He was a wonderful person and I was lucky to count him as one of my dearest friends. And I’m very sad he has passed now. Our condolences must go to his son, wife and to all the musicians in South Africa who benefited from his wisdom. He was an extremely wise man. His council was always well thought through, accurate and to the point. We will miss his presence in the music in South Africa.”

RiSA CEO Nhlanhla Sibisi said: “The passing away of Prof Khumalo is a serious loss to the music industry. He was a repository of knowledge and a well of information when it comes to African folklore, musicality and choral music. He lived a long and beautiful life and gave his country a great songbook, which includes a national anthem, we can be proud of. We send our condolences to the Khumalo family, the choral music community, colleagues and fans of this iconic son of the soil.”

Khumalo was a professor emeritus of African languages at the University of the Witwatersrand. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and Zulu from the University of South Africa in 1956. He completed his masters degree and PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand.

It was under Khumalo’s baton that choral music reached its golden era when he composed ‘Ma Ngificwa Ukufa’, which premiered in 1959. His compositions have been recorded by the South African National Symphony Orchestra and the SABC Chamber Choir conducted by Cock. Among his most celebrated works is ‘uShaka KaSenzangakhona’, which narrates the story of Zulu king Shaka.

In 1986, he composed a choral work for the enthronement of Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He is credited for composing the first Zulu language opera, Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu, which premiered in 2002.