Mzilikazi Khumalo Biography – Mzilikazi Khumalo Wiki
Mzilikazi Khumalo was a South African composer and professor emeritus of African languages at the University of the Witwatersrand. 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 a master’s degree and, in 1988, a Ph.D., both from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. 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.
His first composition was Ma Ngificwa Ukufa, which had its premiere in 1959. Among his most revered work is the cantata “uShaka KaSenzangakhona” which narrates the story of Shaka, the king of Amazulu. Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) was privileged to have Prof Khumalo on its board as vice-chairperson from 1993 to 2009. He was the only non-executive board member that had an office at SAMRO until he completed his term. He also has the distinction of being the chairperson of the committee for the National Anthem of South Africa in 1995.
He was responsible for the editing and production of the three South Africa Sings books of South African choral music notated in sol-fa and Western staff notation to promote and preserve “our choral heritage”.Professor Khumalo is remembered as a Pan Africanist who was passionate about his music and choirs. Many students benefited from the SAMRO/Mzilikazi Khumalo Bursary for Indigenous African Music Research. 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. 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.
In 1986 he composed a choral work for the enthronement of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He is also the composer of the cantata uShaka KaSenzangakhona, which tells the story of the Zulu king, Shaka. He was commissioned by Opera Africa for an opera, resulting in Princess Magogo kaDinuzulu (2002), a work about the Zulu princess, musician, and poet Princess Constance Magogo kaDinuzulu. The opera was the first Zulu language opera. He also played a role in producing the official post-apartheid version of the National Anthem of South Africa, at the request of President Nelson Mandela. In 2015 Wits University awarded him with an honorary doctorate.
Mzilikazi Khumalo Age
His birth-given name is James Steven Mzilikazi Khumalo and he was born on June 20, 1932, in KwaNgwelu, Natal, Union of South Africa. He died on June 22, 2021, in South Africa a day after his 89th birthday.
Mzilikazi Khumalo Family
In his lifetime, he did not share much information about his family. However, his parents were ordained as ministers in the Salvation Army, which ran the farm at the time. The family moved to Hlabisa, where he began his studies.
Mzilikazi Khumalo Death
He died on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at the age of 89. The family spokesperson, Diliza Khumalo, confirmed the news on Tuesday. “It is with great sadness that the Khumalo family announces the passing of our believed father Professor Mzilikazi James Khumalo. He passed away in the early hours of this morning June 22, after a long illness,” read the statement.
Mzilikazi Khumalo Cause of Death
He passed away after a long illness.
