National Anthem of Zimbabwe

The National Anthem of Zimbabwe, also known by its incipit "Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe" (English: "O lift high, high, our flag of Zimbabwe"; Northern Ndebele: "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe"), is the national anthem of Zimbabwe.

Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe
English: "O lift high, high, our flag of Zimbabwe"
Official sheet music, as printed in the Constitution of Zimbabwe
National anthem of  Zimbabwe
Also known asShona: "Simudzai mureza we Zimbabwe"
Northern Ndebele: "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe"
LyricsSolomon Mutswairo, 1993
MusicFred Changundega, 1993
AdoptedMarch 1994
Preceded by"Ishe Komborera Africa"
Audio sample
"Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe" (instrumental)
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History

It was introduced in March 1994 after a nationwide competition to replace the South African-derived "Ishe Komborera Africa" with a distinctly Zimbabwean song. The winning entry was a Shona song written by Professor Solomon Mutswairo and composed by Fred Changundega.

It has been translated into English and Ndebele, the two other main languages of Zimbabwe.

The Ndebele version is mainly sung in the Matebeleland regions of Zimbabwe, while the English version is not commonly sung. Some schools in Matabeleland South have introduced the Sotho/Tswana version.

Lyrics
National anthems of Zimbabwe
 "God Save the Queen" (Unofficial)1890–1901
 "God Save the King" (Unofficial)1901–1923
 "God Save the King"1923–1952
 "God Save the Queen"1952–1965
 "God Save the Queen"1965–1970
 "Rise, O Voices of Rhodesia"1974–1979
 "Rise, O Voices of Rhodesia"1979–1980
 "God Save the Queen"1980
 "Ishe Komborera Africa"1980–1994
 "National Anthem of Zimbabwe" 1994–present

Because Zimbabwe has several official languages, the lyrics of the song have been translated into the three main national languages: Shona, Ndebele and English, and may be sung interchangeably with each of the three languages bearing equal weight in law.

Shona lyrics Ndebele lyrics English lyrics
First verse

Simudzai mureza wedu weZimbabwe
Yakazvarwa nemoto wechimurenga,
Neropa zhinji ramagamba
Tiidzivirire kumhandu dzose;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.

Phakamisan' if'legi yethu yeZimbabwe
Eyazalwa yimpi yenkululeko;
Legaz' elinengi lamaqhawe ethu
Silivikele ezithen' izonke;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.

O lift high, high, our flag of Zimbabwe;
Born of the fire of the revolution;
And of the precious blood of our heroes.
Let's defend it against all foes;
Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe.

Second verse

Tarisai Zimbabwe nyika yakashongedzwa
Namakomo, nehova, zvinoyeveedza
Mvura ngainaye, minda ipe mbesa
Vashandi vatuswe, ruzhinji rugutswe;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.

Khangelan' iZimbabwe yon' ihlotshisiwe
Ngezintaba lange' miful' ebukekayo,
Izulu kaline, izilimo zande;
Iz' sebenzi zenam', abantu basuthe;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.

Behold Zimbabwe so richly adorned
With mountains and rivers, beautiful.
Let rain abound and fields yield the seed
May all be fed and workers rewarded.
Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe.

Third verse

Mwari ropafadzai nyika yeZimbabwe
Nyika yamadzitateguru edu tose;
Kubva Zambezi kusvika Limpopo,
Navatungamiri vave nenduramo;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.

Nkosi busis' ilizwe lethu leZimbabwe
Ilizwe labokhokho bethu thina sonke;
Kusuk' eZambezi kusiy' eLimpopo
Abakhokheli babe lobuqotho;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.

O God, bless the land of Zimbabwe,
The land of our heritage,
From the Zambezi to the Limpopo.
May our leaders be just and exemplary,
Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe.

See also

References
    • The Zimbabwe National Anthem: Shona, Ndebele and English, © Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, 1993
    • National Anthem of Zimbabwe Act, 1995 (Chapter 10:15)
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