AFRICA’ CONTINENTAL ANTHEM BY THE AFRICAN UNION (AU): ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN SOCIAL WORK

The African anthem was composed by Ethiopian poet Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin as a poem. In 1986, it was adopted as the African anthem by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor of the AU. In 2002, at the formation of the AU, the anthem was continued. The music was composed by Arthur Mudogo Kemoli, a Kenyan, in 1986. It tells the African history of struggle, independence, liberation, labour, unity, justice and hope.

How to cite it:

African Union (AU) (2002). Let as all unite and celebrate together. Anthem. Addis Ababa: AU.

Gabre-Medhin, T. (1966). Proud to be African. Poem. Addis Ababa: Tsegaye Gabre-Medhin

Anthem in Swahili (audiovisual with lyrics)

Anthem in English (audiovisual with lyrics)

Swahili

Wote tuungane na kusherehekea pamoja
Ushindi ulishinda kwa ukombozi wetu
Wacha tujitolee kuinuka pamoja
Kutetea uhuru wetu na umoja

Enyi Wana na Binti za Afrika
Mwili wa Jua na Mwili wa Anga
Wacha tuifanye Afrika kuwa Mti wa Uzima

Wote tuungane na kuimba pamoja
Ili kushikilia vifungo ambavyo vinatengeneza umilele wetu
Wacha tujitolee kupigana pamoja
Kwa amani ya kudumu na haki duniani

Wote tuungane na tushirikiane kwa pamoja
Kutoa bora tuliyonayo Afrika
Utoto wa wanadamu na chemchemi ya tamaduni
Kiburi chetu na matumaini yetu alfajiri.

English

Let us all unite and celebrate together
The victories won for our liberation
Let us dedicate ourselves to rise together
To defend our liberty and unity

O Sons and Daughters of Africa
Flesh of the Sun and Flesh of the Sky
Let us make Africa the Tree of life

Let us all unite and sing together
To uphold the bonds that frame our destiny
Let us dedicate ourselves to fight together
For lasting peace and justice on the earth

Let us all unite and toil together
To give the best we have to Africa
The cradle of mankind and fount of culture
Our pride and hope at break of dawn

Significance and use of anthem in social work

• It tells the African history of struggle, independence, liberation, labour, unity, justice and hope.
• It speaks of Africa’s past (Sankofa), present and future.
• It contains words of decolonisation.
• It provides a unifying message for social workers running continental programs.
• It inspires, particularly the audio version.
• It speaks of African ideals, the Africa we want.
• It can be cited when writing essays, thesis, articles, books etc