The melody of the anthem is based on the famous hymn (God Bless Africa), composed in 1897 by South African teacher and clergyman Enoch Sontonga . This tune became a pan-African symbol of liberation and was used by several Southern African nations during their struggles against colonial rule.
Upon gaining independence from the United Kingdom on October 24, 1964, Zambia initially used the original Sontonga lyrics. However, in 1973, the government held a national competition to draft new lyrics that specifically reflected the Zambian identity. The final version was a composite of six different entries by authors: E.S. Musonda J.M.S. Lichilana J. Sajiwandani Official Lyrics (English) zambian national anthem all verses pdf download
The Zambian National Anthem, titled is a powerful symbol of the nation's sovereignty, unity, and hard-won independence. Adopted in its current form in September 1973 , the anthem serves as a patriotic tribute to the "One Zambia, One Nation" motto. Historical Background and Composition The melody of the anthem is based on