Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven | |
|---|---|
 Langenhoven with his wife at the church in Oudtshoorn on the wedding day of their daughter in 1926 | |
| Born | 13 August 1873 Hoeko, Ladismith, Cape Colony |
| Died | 15 July 1932 (aged 58) Oudtshoorn, South Africa |
| Resting place | Arbeidsgenot, Oudtshoorn |
| Language | Afrikaans |
| Nationality | South African |
| Notable works | "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika", Versamelde Werke (Collected Works) |
| Spouse | Lenie van Velden |
| Children | Engela (b. 1901) |
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 "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika", which was used previously as the national anthem during apartheid. 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.