Zimbabwe, also called the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a beautiful country in Southern Africa. It doesn’t have a coastline but is surrounded by two big rivers—the Zambezi River in the north and the Limpopo River in the south.
A Look at Zimbabwe’s History
To understand Zimbabwe, we need to go back in time:
- Pre-Colonial Era (1000–1887) – Before Europeans arrived, Zimbabwe was home to powerful African kingdoms like Great Zimbabwe.
- Colonial Era (1890–1980) – Zimbabwe was taken over by the British and was called:
- Southern Rhodesia (1898), Rhodesia (1965), and Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979).
- Independence (1980–2000) – Zimbabwe became independent from Britain in 1980.
- The Present (2000–Now) – The country has faced many changes in politics and the economy since 2000.
Zimbabwe’s Neighbours
Zimbabwe shares borders with:
- South Africa (south)
- Botswana (south-west)
- Zambia (north)
- Mozambique (east)
Cities and Population
- The capital city is Harare, and it’s also the largest.
- Bulawayo is the second largest city.
- Other towns include Chitungwiza, Mutare, Epworth, and Gweru.
As of August 9, 2022, Zimbabwe had around 16.3 million people. About 32% of people live in towns or cities. Most families are headed by fathers and have at least two children.
Who Lives in Zimbabwe?
- Shona people – about 70% of the population.
- Ndebele people – about 20%.
- Other groups include Venda, Tonga, Kalanga, Shangaan, and Nambya.
- Less than 1% are White Zimbabweans (mostly from British families, but also some Greek, Portuguese, Dutch, and French).
- Mixed-race people make up around 0.5%.
Languages in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, more than any other country in the world! These include:
- English, Shona, Ndebele, Tonga, Venda, Kalanga, Tswana, Xhosa, Sotho, Shangani, Chewa, Chibarwe, and even Sign Language.
Zimbabwe Official Languages
| English | Shona |
| Ndebele | Chibarwe |
| Kalanga | Koisan |
| Nambya | Shangani |
| Sign language | Sotho |
| Tonga | Tswana |
| Chewa | Ndau |
| Venda | Xhosa |
Religion in Zimbabwe
- 84% of people are Christians (most are Protestants – 69.2%)
- 10.2% have no religion
- 4.5% follow traditional African beliefs
- Other religions (like Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism) make up 1.2%
Many Zimbabweans mix Christian beliefs with traditional beliefs. New Christian churches, like Pentecostal and apostolic groups, are growing fast.
Zimbabwean Culture
Zimbabwean society values family and community. For centuries, people have solved problems within families and villages. Important things like religion, learning, leadership, and peace have always started at the family level.
The culture is mainly influenced by the Shona and Ndebele people. There are also small communities of Asians and White Zimbabweans.
Why Zimbabweans Moved Abroad
Many Zimbabweans have moved to other countries over the years. Migration is not a new trend associated with Zimbabweans. For years, Zimbabweans have been crossing borders into neighbouring countries.
In the 1970s, some went to South Africa to work in the mines (this was called Wenera). Others moved to Britain, the USA, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Reasons for Leaving:
- 1980s – Some White Zimbabweans left after independence.
- 1990s – People left due to poor economy and government changes, especially after the ESAP (Economic Structural Adjustment Programme), which made things worse for many.
- Late 1990s–2000s – More people left due to political and social problems.
Some went as workers and some as students. , and others without legal documents. But they all hoped for a better life.
Staying Connected to Home
Even though many Zimbabweans live abroad, they stay in touch with family back home. They often send money (remittances) and support during hard times—like during the Tsholotsho floods in 2017 and the Manicaland storms in 2020.
This shows that no matter where they go, home is still home.
What Makes Zimbabwe Special?
- Zimbabwe holds the world record for the most official languages (16)!
- Independence Day is celebrated on April 18, marking freedom from British rule in 1980.
- Zimbabwe shares the famous Victoria Falls with Zambia. Its local name is Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The Smoke that Thunders.”
- Lake Kariba, along the border with Zambia, is the world’s biggest man-made lake.
- The economy depends on gold, minerals, and farming exports.
Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed this short guide on Zimbabwe. If you have questions or thoughts, please leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you!
Watch Wode Maya Video – Zimbabwe Is NOT What I Expected!
References
- Watch Wode Maya YouTube Video – Zimbabwe Is NOT What I Expected!
- Great Zimbabwe: African City of Stone, Live Science, 10 March 2017.