Andries Van Tonder

Andries Van Tonder (1882–1955) served as an elder in the Judith Church and was involved in South African hymnody during the first half of the twentieth century. He is sometimes credited with writing the lyrics and/or composing the music for the well-known South African hymn "Siyahamba Ekukhanyen' Kwenkhos'" (We Are Marching in the Light of God). If van Tonder authored the words, they were likely written in Afrikaans, as sources crediting him typically note that the Zulu translation was done by Thabo Mkize. Some accounts, however, attribute the original authorship to Thabo Mkize in Zulu, while others classify the hymn as traditional, reflecting its widespread communal origins.

Van Tonder’s work remains significant for its role in the cultural and spiritual life of South African churches, particularly through "Siyahamba," which continues to be sung internationally in various languages and Christian contexts.

Notable Work

• Siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos' – Lyrics possibly by Andries Van Tonder; Zulu translation by Thabo Mkize; originally written in Afrikaans, performed widely in Xhosa and other languages.