The national anthem, adopted in 1968 on independence (when the nation was known as Swaziland), was composed after extensive ethno-musicological fieldwork in eSwatini. The national anthem was a compromise between Swazi and western styles of music. Swazi music stresses on songs with inticrate polyphony, which is evident in the anthem, making this anthem one of the best examples of the “Eastern folk” style of anthem.

Title
“Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati” (siSwati)
“Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi” (English translation)

Lyricist
Andrease Enoke Fanyana Simelane

Composer
David Kenneth Rycroft

Adopted
September 6, 1968



siSwati lyrics

Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati;
Siyatibonga tonkhe tinhlanhla,
Sibonga iNgwenyama yetfu,
Live netintsaba nemifula.

Busisa tiphatsimandla takaNgwane
Nguwe wedvwa Somandla wetfu;
Sinike kuhlakanipha lokungenabucili
Simise usicinise, Simakadze.

English lyrics

O Lord our God, bestower of the blessings of the Swazi;
We give Thee thanks for all our good fortune;
We offer thanks and praise for our King
And for our fair land, its hills and rivers.

Thy blessings be on all rulers of our Country;
Might and power are Thine alone;
We pray Thee to grant us wisdom without deceit or malice.
Establish and fortify us, Lord Eternal.