Zimbabwe
Blessed be the Land of Zimbabwe
Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe
1994
1994
Solomon Mutswairo
Fred Changundega
✝ God / Faith 🕊 Freedom 🤝 Unity 🗽 Independence |
Context
Adopted in 1994, replacing 'Ishe Komborera Africa' which had been used since independence from white-minority Rhodesia in 1980. The lyrics were written by Solomon Mutswairo, one of Zimbabwe's foremost literary figures. The anthem is sung in Shona, Ndebele, and English, reflecting the country's three main linguistic communities. 'Chimurenga' refers to the liberation wars against colonial rule.
Lyrics
Simudzai mureza wedu weZimbabwe
Yakazvarwa nomoto wechimurenga;
Neropa zhinji ramagamba
Tiidzivirire kumhandu dzose;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
Tarisai Zimbabwe nyika yakashongedzwa
Namakomo, nehova, zvinoyevedza
Mvura ngainaye, ngaive namajaha
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Interesting facts
- • The word 'Chimurenga' in the anthem refers to the liberation wars; the First Chimurenga was in 1896-97 and the Second Chimurenga (1964-1979) led to independence
- • Solomon Mutswairo, who wrote the lyrics, is considered the father of Shona literature and authored the seminal novel 'Feso' in 1956
- • Zimbabwe is named after Great Zimbabwe, a medieval city whose stone ruins are the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara