The song became a Pan-African song and versions of it were later adopted as the national anthems of some countries in Africa including Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa after independence.

Lyrics

isiZulu text (First stanza)

Nkosi sikelela iAfrika.

Maluphakanyisw’u phondo lwayo.

Yizwa imithandazo yethu sibe moya munye.

Noma sekunzima emhlabeni.

Sihlukunyezwa kabuhlungu.

Nkosi siph’amandla okunqoba silwe nosathane.

English Translation (First stanza)

God bless Africa.

Raise high her glory.

Hear our prayers to be united in one spirit.

Even through hard times in this world.

When we are painfully abused.

Lord, give us strength for victory to fight evil.