The Barkalot Bafana Bafana First Go to Graceland for South Africa's Bafana Bafana! And Then They Listen to the Country's Moving National Anthem!

When our mom thinks about South Africa, she remembers a sad but beautiful book by Alan Payton called "Cry the Beloved Country" which was later made into a musical "Lost in the Stars."

She thinks about amazing musical artists: Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, the Ladysmith Black Mombazo, the Soweto Gospel Choir.

And she thinks about one of her all-time favorite American artists-- Paul Simon -- and his awesome 1987 Graceland concert that, upon reflection, was what Unity in Diversity is all about. This is him singing Under African Skies with Miriam Makeba.



And then she thinks about the first time she heard South Africa's moving national anthem. She has since learned that the anthem's lyrics include five of the country's eleven official languages - isiXhosa (first stanza, first two lines), isiZulu (first stanza, last two lines), seSotho (second stanza), Afrikaans (third stanza) and English (final stanza). Truly Unity in Diversity!


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

English translation of Xhosa and Zulu version
Lord bless Africa
May her glory be lifted high
Hear our petitions
Lord bless us, your children

English translation of Sesotho version
Lord we ask You to protect our nation
Intervene and end all conflicts
Protect us, protect our nation
Protect South Africa, South Africa

English translation of Afrikaans version
Out of the blue of our heavens
Out of the depths of our seas
Over our everlasting mountains
Where the echoing crags resound



This World Cup in South Africa is an inspiring stop on the road to Grace Land!!!

Go Bafana Bafana!!!