Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo River. It is next to South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the north, and Mozambique to the east. The capital and biggest city is Harare, and Bulawayo is the second largest.

About 16.9 million people live in Zimbabwe. The country is culturally rich. The Northern Ndebele and Shona make up most of the population, with many smaller minorities. Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, with English, Shona, and Ndebele being the most used. Zimbabwe is part of important groups like the United Nations, the Southern African Development Community, the African Union, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.

The land has a long history. It was first home to the San and later settled by Bantu peoples around 2,000 years ago. The Shona people built the city of Great Zimbabwe, a big trade center by the 13th century. Over time, kingdoms like the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, Mutapa, and Rozvi grew powerful. In the late 1800s, British control increased, leading to the creation of Southern Rhodesia. After many years of struggle, Zimbabwe became fully independent in 1980.

Robert Mugabe led the country from independence until 2017, first as Prime Minister and later as President. His time as leader had many challenges, such as economic troubles. In 2017, after big protests and a weak economy, a coup d'état led to Mugabe leaving office. Emmerson Mnangagwa has been the president of Zimbabwe since then.

Etymology

Further information: Rhodesia (name)

The name "Zimbabwe" comes from the Shona word for Great Zimbabwe, an old city in southeastern Zimbabwe. Some think "Zimbabwe" means "houses of stones." Others think it means "venerated houses," for leaders' homes.

In the past, the country was called Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia, and Zimbabwe Rhodesia. The name "Zimbabwe" was first used in 1960 by Michael Mawema. It is now the name for the whole country.

History

Main article: History of Zimbabwe

Pre-colonial era

Further information: Bantu expansion

People have lived in what is now Zimbabwe for hundreds of thousands of years. The earliest known people were likely the San people, known for their cave paintings. Around 2,000 years ago, farmers who spoke Bantu languages arrived.

From the 9th century, groups speaking proto-Shona languages began to form communities. By the 10th century, they moved to the Zimbabwean plateau, where they built stone cities. One of these early states was the Kingdom of Mapungubwe, which traded gold and ivory with Arab merchants. Later, the Kingdom of Zimbabwe became a center of trade and culture.

Colonial era and Rhodesia (1888–1964)

Main articles: Company rule in Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

In the late 1800s, European settlers arrived, led by Cecil Rhodes and his British South Africa Company. They made agreements with local leaders and took control of the land. The area was named "Rhodesia" after Rhodes. The British government took over in 1923, and the area became known as Southern Rhodesia.

During World War I and World War II, people from Southern Rhodesia served the United Kingdom. However, the white minority held most of the power, and black Africans were treated unfairly.

Declaration of independence and civil war (1965–1980)

In 1965, the leader of Southern Rhodesia, Ian Smith, declared independence from Britain. This led to a long struggle between the government and freedom fighters. After many years, the country became independent as Zimbabwe in 1980, with Robert Mugabe as its first leader.

Independence era (1980–present)

Zimbabwe's first president after independence was Canaan Banana. Robert Mugabe became the prime minister. In the years that followed, Zimbabwe faced many challenges, including political changes and economic difficulties. Leaders changed over time, and the country worked to rebuild despite these obstacles.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a country in southern Africa that does not touch the ocean. It is surrounded by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the west and southwest, Zambia to the northwest, and Mozambique to the east and northeast. Most of Zimbabwe is a high, flat area called a plateau. The Eastern Highlands in the east are mountains. The tallest point is Mount Nyangani, which is 2,592 meters high.

The weather in Zimbabwe is warm, but it changes in different places. It rains from late October to March, but sometimes there are long dry periods. Zimbabwe has many plants and animals, including grasslands, woods, and forests. However, cutting down trees and poaching have hurt some of the wildlife.

Government and politics

Main articles: Politics of Zimbabwe, Elections in Zimbabwe, and Foreign relations of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a republic with a president as its leader. In 2013, the country changed its rules and brought back a group called the Senate. The main group that makes laws is called the House of Assembly.

The ruling ZANU-PF party has won every election since Zimbabwe became its own country. In 2017, Emmerson Mnangagwa became the president after some changes in leadership.

Armed forces

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces were created in 1980 after the country became independent. Today, they include an army and an air force. The army has many soldiers, and the air force has fewer people who work with airplanes.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Provinces of Zimbabwe, Districts of Zimbabwe, and Wards of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is divided into eight areas called provinces and two cities that are treated like provinces. Each province has its own main city to help run things. These areas are also split into smaller parts called districts and wards to help with local services.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's economy depends on minerals, gold, and farming. The country is on important trade routes, including the Cairo-Cape Town Highway and the Beira-Lobito Highway. Tourism is important but has had some problems recently. The information and communications technology sector is growing fast.

Mining is very important, with lots of platinum and some diamonds. Farming used to be strong but has had some difficulties. Tourism has gone down since 2000, but Zimbabwe still has many beautiful places to see, like Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park. The country has some economic challenges.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe's population has grown quickly from just under three million in 1950 to nearly sixteen million today. The two largest groups are the Shona, making up about 82% of the people, and the Ndebele, about 14%. Smaller groups include the Venda, Tonga, Tsonga, Kalanga, Sotho, Ndau, Nambya, Tswana, Xhosa, and Lozi. There are also minority groups such as white Zimbabweans, who make up less than 1% of the population, as well as small numbers of Coloureds, Asians, and others.

Zimbabwe has 16 official languages. English is used in schools and courts. Shona and Ndebele are the main native languages, spoken by most people. Other languages include Venda, Tsonga, and several others. English is most common in cities, while Shona and Ndebele are more common in rural areas. Portuguese is also taught in schools, especially near the border with Mozambique.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has many different cultures. The Shona people make beautiful sculptures and carvings from soapstone and other stones.

Zimbabwe celebrates its independence on April 18, 1980. Big celebrations happen in Harare. People release doves for peace, fly fighter jets, and sing the national anthem. The president lights the flame of independence and gives a speech. Zimbabwe also holds a beauty pageant called Miss Heritage Zimbabwe.

Arts

See also: Music of Zimbabwe

Traditional Zimbabwean arts include pottery, basketry, textiles, jewellery, and carving. Shona sculpture is popular around the world. Famous Zimbabwean sculptors include Nicholas Nesbert, Anderson Mukomberanwa, and Tapfuma Gutsa.

Many well-known authors come from Zimbabwe. Charles Mungoshi writes stories in English and Shona. Doris Lessing’s book The Grass Is Singing is set in old Rhodesia. NoViolet Bulawayo’s novel We Need New Names was shortlisted for a major book prize.

Zimbabwean musicians like Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi are known around the world. Theatre is also popular.

Cuisine

Zimbabweans often eat “mealie meal,” made from corn. This is used to make sadza, a thick porridge eaten with vegetables, beans, and meat. Bota is a thinner porridge often eaten for breakfast.

At special events, families might cook and eat a goat or cow. Afrikaner recipes like biltong (dried meat) and boerewors (spiced sausage) are also popular. Zimbabwean cuisine includes rice, pasta, and potato dishes. A local favorite is rice with peanut butter served with gravy and vegetables.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Zimbabwe

Football is the most popular sport in Zimbabwe. The national team, The Warriors, has played in the Africa Cup of Nations several times and has won the Southern Africa championship multiple times.

Rugby and cricket are also popular sports. Rugby union has been played in Zimbabwe since the 1980s, and the national team has appeared in the Rugby World Cup.

Media

The media in Zimbabwe has faced challenges but is now more free. Private newspapers like NewsDay have started again, and foreign news channels can report from the country. However, some foreign broadcasters are still banned.

National symbols

The Zimbabwe Bird, a stone carving, appears on Zimbabwe’s flags and money. It likely represents an eagle. Balancing rocks, found in places like Matobo National Park, are also featured on Zimbabwean banknotes.

The national anthem is "Raise the Flag of Zimbabwe," written by Professor Solomon Mutswairo and composed by Fred Changundega.