Mzilikazi Khumalo

• Name — Mzilikazi Khumalo • Birth Name — James Steven Mzilikazi Khumalo • Born — 20 June 1932 • Birthplace — KwaNgwelu, Natal, Union of South Africa • Died — 22 June 2021 • Occupation — Composer and professor

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

His first composition was Ma Ngificwa Ukufa, which had its premiere in 1959. 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. Khumalo is also the composer of the cantata uShaka KaSenzangakhona, which tells the story of the Zulu king, Shaka. Khumalo 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.

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