Mzilikazi Khumalo
Birth nameJames Steven Mzilikazi Khumalo
Born(1932-06-20)20 June 1932
KwaNgwelu, Natal, Union of South Africa
Died22 June 2021(2021-06-22) (aged 89)
Occupation(s)Composer, Professor

James Steven Mzilikazi Khumalo (20 June 1932 —22 June 2021) was a South African composer and professor emeritus of African languages at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Early life

Khumalo was born on the farm KwaNgwelu in Natal in 1932. Shortly after Khumalo's birth his parents were ordained as ministers in the Salvation Army, which ran the farm at the time.[1] The family moved to Hlabisa, where Khumalo started school.

Scholar of African languages

After completing high school Khumalo enrolled at the teachers' training college in Mamelodi. He continued his studies, obtaining a bachelor's degree with majors in English and Zulu in 1956 from the University of South Africa. He went on to obtain master's degree and, in 1988, a PhD, both from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.[2]

Khumalo's career in the Department of African Languages of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg began in 1969, when he held a position as a tutor. He advanced to become a professor of African languages and head of the Department of African Languages at Wits.

Composer

His first composition was Ma Ngificwa Ukufa, which had its premiere in 1959.[3]

His compositions consist principally of settings of Zulu texts. His Five African Songs is an arrangement of four traditional songs and one modern tune for choir and symphony orchestra. It has been recorded by the South African National Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, conducted by Richard Cock.[4] Two of the five songs are in the Xhosa language, and the other three are in Zulu. The piece has also been orchestrated by Peter Louis Van Dijk.[5]

In 1986 he composed a choral work for the enthronement of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.[6] Khumalo is also the composer of the cantata uShaka KaSenzangakhona, which tells the story of the Zulu king, Shaka.[7]

Khumalo was commissioned by Opera Africa for an opera,[8] resulting in Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu (2002),[9] a work about the Zulu princess, musician and poet Princess Constance Magogo kaDinuzulu. The opera was the first Zulu language opera.[10][11]

He also played a role in producing the official post-apartheid version of the National Anthem of South Africa,[12] at the request of President Nelson Mandela.[13][14]

Works on the phonology of Zulu

  • An autosegmental account of Zulu phonology (PhD). University of the Witwatersrand. 10 November 2014. hdl:10539/15848.
  • "Zulu tonology". African Studies. 41 (1): 3–125. 1982. doi:10.1080/00020188208707579. ISSN 0002-0184.

Awards and honours

In 2015 Wits University awarded him an honorary doctorate.[15]

Death

On 22 June 2021, Mzilikazi Khumalo died two days after his 89th birthday following a long illness.[16][17][18]

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "J.S. Mzilikazi Khumalo, South African Composer & Choral Director". chevalierdesaintgeorges.homestead.com. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  2. ↑ "2015 - Honorary Doctorate for James Khumalo - Wits University". www.wits.ac.za. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  3. ↑ "Tribute paid to colossal figure in SA academic and cultural landscape | African Independent". www.africanindy.com. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  4. ↑ "Five African Songs". Presto Classical. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  5. ↑ "KHUMALO: 5 African Songs / VAN DIJK: San Gloria / San Chronicle Classical Naxos - Marco Polo". Chandos Records. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  6. ↑ Avorgbedor, Daniel (2001). "Khumalo, (James Steven) Mzilikazi". Grove Music Online. 1. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.49706.
  7. ↑ Spector, J Brooks (30 March 2015). "Pieter-Dirk Uys and Mzilikazi Khumalo – and the many uses of history". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "cw Princess Magogo". Opera Africa. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  9. ↑ Opera AfricaThe Making of an African Opera (Princess Magogo) 2006, retrieved 1 January 2019
  10. ↑ "A Mighty Man and His Music – Professor Mzilikazi Khumalo". De Beer Necessities. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  11. ↑ "J. S. Mzilikazi Khumalo (b. 1932) Composed Music of 'Princess Magogo' for Opera Africa". AfriClassical. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  12. ↑ "2018-09 - Evolution of an anthem - Wits University". www.wits.ac.za. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  13. ↑ "Nelson Mandela and the choral movement in South Africa". www.interkultur.com (in French). 22 June 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  14. ↑ "The South African National Anthem: a history on record". Swellendam Country House | Hotel | B&B | Augusta de Mist | Garden Route Accommodation | Bed and Breakfast. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  15. ↑ "Wits to honour top composer and renowned engineer". Times LIVE. 7 December 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  16. ↑ "Tribute to Prof. Mzilikazi Khumalo". www.wits.ac.za. Wits University. 23 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  17. ↑ Pooley, Thomas (24 June 2021). "Iconic composer Mzilikazi Khumalo defied apartheid odds to leave a rich legacy". News24. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  18. ↑ Bambalele, Patience (22 June 2021). "Choral music icon Prof Mzilikazi Khumalo dies a day after his 89th birthday". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 27 June 2021.

Further reading

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