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 as	Shona: "Simudzai mureza we Zimbabwe" Northern Ndebele: "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe"
Lyrics	Solomon Mutswairo, 1993
Music	Fred Changundega, 1993
Adopted	March 1994
Preceded by	"Ishe Komborera Africa"
Audio sample
"Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe" (instrumental) file help

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

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

• National Anthem of Rhodesia

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)

External links

• Zimbabwe: Blessed be the Land of Zimbabwe - Audio of the national anthem of Zimbabwe, with information and lyrics
• Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe/Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe/Blessed be the Land of Zimbabwe MIDI file