University of the Free State’s music school honours co-composer of South Africa’s revised national anthem

BLOEMFONTEIN: The Odeion School of Music at the University of the Free State (UFS) has duly honoured Prof Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph, one of the key figures in composing and arranging South Africa’s revised national anthem. The institution hosted a combined tribute preservation celebration concert recognising the composer on Wednesday, 20 August. Capping it off, Zaidel-Rudolph’s complete archive of over 80 compositions across various genres was handed over to the music school.

Zaidel-Rudolph is one of South Africa’s most celebrated composers and contributed to revising SA’s national anthem between 1995 and 1997. Her involvement was at the request of President Nelson Mandela. She received the Order of Ikhamanga (Bronze) from President Thabo Mbeki in 2004 for her contribution to the arts.

Recognised as a pioneer in the country’s musical and academic life, Zaidel-Rudolph holds the distinction of being the first woman in the country to obtain a doctorate in music composition, awarded in 1979 by the University of Pretoria. Her studies later took her to the Royal College of Music in London and to Hamburg, Germany, where she worked under the legendary György Ligeti, whose influence continues to resonate in her music. With more than 80 compositions across diverse genres, Prof Zaidel-Rudolph’s career reflects a rare balance of daring creativity, refined craft, and deep cultural rootedness.

“We recognise a living legend, and we honour a life steeped in music, in meaning, and in mentorship. Her compositions have shaped our national identity – from the concert stage to the anthem we sing. We celebrate a woman of many facets – a composer, educator, pioneer, and a friend of the UFS,” said Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation at the UFS. He added: “Prof Zaidel-Rudolph’s archive is a legacy of knowledge, creativity, and cultural memory. Your voice as composer will remain bold, intricate, and unmistakably your own as we treasure your gifts. It will serve as a living resource for students, scholars and performers. Your archive will fuel research, ignite performance and stimulate the imagination for generations to come.”

Prof Alexander Johnson, Director of the UFS International Institute of the Arts and an accomplished composer of international repute, helped secure this priceless collection for the UFS. It includes manuscripts, personal correspondence, rare handbooks, journals, and artefacts that will now be digitised and catalogued for future generations of scholars and performers.

“This is nothing less than a national treasure,” said Dr Jan Beukes, Head of the Odeion School of Music. He described the handover as a moment of profound significance, not only for the university but also for SA’s cultural landscape. “To be entrusted with such a legacy is an immense privilege. As custodians, we will safeguard it and ensure that students at undergraduate and postgraduate level have access to an extraordinary field of research possibilities.”

Zaidel-Rudolph has expressed great appreciation for being recognised while alive for her contribution. “I could not think of a more fitting repository for my music material than the University of the Free State,” she said. Zaidel-Rudolph added that the recognition warmed her heart to know her work would be carefully respected and presented. Zaidel-Rudolph emphasised her hope that the archive would inspire students, researchers, and music-lovers for years to come. The UFS’s Archive for Contemporary Affairs will have oversight of the collection.

“It fills me with a sense of incredible gratitude that there is an institute that is sufficiently committed to look after the music of a South African composer, to curate it, promote it, and let it be there for others.” Zaidel-Rudolph explained that the work was inspired by a yearning for harmony in an often-divided world. “At my age and stage, having lived a long life so far, thank God, my sense is that people need to be more loving and unified, the sisterhood and brotherhood of nations. I hoped this work would give a sense of unity among performers and convey that unity to audiences,” said Zaidel-Rudolph.

She accomplished South African composer, pianist and teacher. In 1996, Zaidel-Rodulph was commissioned to write a work (Oratorio for Human Rights) for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.