AN Eastern Cape-born composer, author and intellectual who in 1856 became the first African to be admitted to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church has been honoured for his role in promoting unity in Africa.

The United Presbyterian Church in South Africa, together with the Men’s Christian Guild, celebrated the legacy of the Rev Tiyo Soga at a service held in Kwazakhele yesterday.

Soga is famous for writing the Xhosa hymn Lizalis’ Idinga.

Addressing the gathering, the Rev De Villiers Soga said his grandfather had written the hymn while on a boat from Scotland to the Eastern Cape.

He was the first African to be admitted to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, in 1856, after he graduated from Glasgow University with a theology degree at the age of 27.

“In that song, he was praying for people across all racial groups,” De Villiers said.

Speaking at the church, Soga said he was very happy that the church had decided to celebrate his grandfather’s life. “My grandfather was the source of black consciousness, something I think Steve Biko adopted from reading his books.”

Soga said that although his grandfather was highly educated and had married a white woman, he had taught Africans to be proud of themselves and their culture.

The service was attended mainly by members of the Presbyterian Church and Soga’s family. The congregation sang and danced to hymns he wrote.

Messages from the South African Council of Churches and Port Elizabeth’s Anglican bishop, Bishop Bethlehem Nopece, were read out.