Musical maestro Mjana leaves mark on country
Popular South African choirmaster, music trainer and director Dr Makhaya Mjana, 66, has died.
He was one of the composers of the revised version of the national anthem.
Tributes are pouring in following the death of the choir master of internationally respected, and award-winning choirs including the Port Elizabeth-based Matthews Singers, Joy of Africa, Princess Square Singers, the Zwelitsha Adult Choir in King William’s Town and the Belcanto Singers.
The ANC provincial executive committee in Calata House paid tribute to Mjana on Monday. Spokesperson Gift Ngqodi described him as a man of the country, who dedicated most of his life and expertise to the development of choral music in South Africa.
In 1994 Mjana, along with other leading composers, was handpicked and commissioned by the state to write a new version of the national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ Afrika (God Bless Africa).
In 1997 Mjana and his Joy of Africa choristers were cast as members of the movie Footprints, produced by renowned South African film producer, Ben Nomoyi. Under Mjana’s music directorship, Joy of Africa had an international tour to Boston in the US in 1998.
Mjana was also commissioned to compose for several special events, including composing a song to celebrate the 150th birthday celebrations of Lovedale College in 1990.
He wrote the now-famous song Qingqa Lovedale (Stand Up, Lovedale).
The following year, when Fort Hare University appointed Oliver Tambo as its first black chancellor, Mjana composed another song Halala Nokholeji
(Hail College). In the same year, he wrote a song in honour of anti-apartheid stalwart Govan Mbeki, titled Halala Govan
Mbeki (Hail Govan Mbeki). His memorial and funeral arrangements will be made public later in the week.