Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven

Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven (13 August 1873 – 15 July 1932), who published under his initials C.J. Langenhoven, was a South African poet who played a major role in the development of Afrikaans literature and cultural history. His poetry was one of the then young language’s foremost promoters. He is best known for writing the words for the national anthem of South Africa, “Die Stem van Suid-Afrika”, which was used during the apartheid era. He was affectionately known as Sagmoedige Neelsie (Gentle Neelsie) or Kerneels. His childhood friend who helped him get into poetry was called Hans Conrodius van Zyl.