National Anthem of Zimbabwe

The National Anthem of Zimbabwe, also known by its incipit in Shona, "Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe" (English: "Raise our flag of Zimbabwe"), and the final line of each verse in Ndebele, "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe" (English: "Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe"), 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.^[1] It was translated into English and Ndebele, the two other main languages of Zimbabwe.^[1] 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.

Ngaikomborerwe Nyika yeZimbabwe

English: Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe
Official sheet music, as printed in the Constitution of Zimbabwe
National anthem of Zimbabwe
Also known as	"Ngaikomborerwe Nyika yeZimbabwe" (English: "Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe") "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe" (English: "Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe")
Lyrics	Solomon Mutswairo, 1993
Music	Fred Changundega, 1993
Adopted	March 1994
Preceded by	"Ishe Komborera Africa"
Audio sample
Instrumental version file help

Lyrics

Because Zimbabwe has 16 national languages, the lyrics of the original Shona song were translated into the other 15 national languages as part of the 2013 constitutional reforms. The official texts were laid out in the 2013 Constitution, however the final English text in the Constitution varied from the more poetic and metrical version that had been in common usage up to that point and remains so today. Both the new official text and the more common variant are listed below.

In spite of all the translations being official and of equal standing according to the Constitution, the Shona and Ndebele versions remain the two most prevalent variants in regular usage.

English lyrics

English lyrics (constitutional)[2][3]

English lyrics (common, poetic)[4][5]

I 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. II 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. III 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.

I O lift high the banner, the flag of Zimbabwe, The symbol of freedom proclaiming victory; We praise our heroes’ sacrifice, And vow to keep our land from foes; And may the Almighty protect and bless our land. II O lovely Zimbabwe, so wondrously adorned With mountains, and rivers cascading, flowing free; May rain abound, and fertile fields; May we be fed, our labour blessed; And may the Almighty protect and bless our land. III O God, we beseech Thee to bless our native land; The land of our fathers bestowed upon us all; From Zambezi to Limpopo May leaders be exemplary;[a] And may the Almighty protect and bless our land.

Shona and Ndebele lyrics

Shona lyrics[2][4]	Shona IPA transcription[b]	Ndebele lyrics[2][4]	Ndebele IPA transcription[c]
I Simudzai mureza wedu weZimbabwe Yakazvarwa nemoto[d] wechimurenga; (Neropa) neropa zhinji ramagamba Tiidzivirire kumhandu dzose Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe. II Tarisai Zimbabwe nyika yakashongedzwa Namakomo,[e] nehova, zvinoyevedza (Ngainaye) mvura ngainaye, minda ipe mbesa Vashandi vatuswe, ruzhinji rugutswe Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe. III Mwari ropafadzai nyika yeZimbabwe Nyika yamadzitateguru edu tose; (Kubvira) kubva Zambezi kusvika Limpopo, Navatungamiri vave nenduramo; Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.	1 [si.mu.d͡z̤a.i mu.re.z̤a we.ɗu we.z̤i.ᵐba.bwe] [ja.ka.z̤ᵝa.rwa no.mo.to[d] we.t͡ʃi.mu.re.ᵑɡa] [(ne.ro.pa) ne.ro.pa ʒ̤i.ⁿd͡ʒ̤i ra.ma.ɡ̤a.ᵐba] [ti.i.d͡z̤i.ʋi.ri.re ku.m̤a.ⁿdu d͡z̤o.se] [ᵑɡa.i.ko.ᵐbo.re.rwe ɲi.ka je.z̤i.ᵐba.bwe] 2 [ta.ri.sa.i z̤i.ᵐba.bwe ɲi.ka ja.ka.ʃo.ᵑɡe.d͡z̤wa] [na.ma.ko.mo[e] ne.ɦo.ʋa z̤ᵝi.no.je.ʋe.d͡z̤a] [(ᵑɡa.i.na.je) mʋ̤u.ra ᵑɡa.i.na.je mi.ⁿda i.pe ᵐbe.sa] [ʋa.ʃa.ⁿdi ʋa.tu.skwe ru.ʒ̤i.ⁿd͡ʒ̤i ru.ɡ̤u.t͡swe] [ᵑɡa.i.ko.ᵐbo.re.rwe ɲi.ka je.z̤i.ᵐba.bwe] 3 [mwa.ri ro.pa.fa.d͡z̤a.i ɲi.ka je.z̤i.ᵐba.bwe] [ɲi.ka ja.ma.d͡z̤i.ta.te.ɡ̤u.ru e.ɗu to.se] [(ku.b͡v̤i.ra) ku.b͡v̤a z̤a.ᵐbe.z̤i ku.sᶲi.ka li.mpo.po] [na.ʋa.tu.ᵑɡa.mi.ri ʋa.ʋe ne.ⁿdu.ra.mo] [ᵑɡa.i.ko.ᵐbo.re.rwe ɲi.ka je.z̤i.ᵐba.bwe]	I Phakamisan’ if’legi yethu yeZimbabwe[f] Eyazalwa yimpi yenkululeko (Legazi) legaz’ elinengi lamaqhawe ethu Silivikele ezitheni zonke; Kalibusiswe ilizwe leZimbabwe. II Khangelan’iZimbabwe yon’ihlotshisiwe Ngezintaba langemiful’ebukekayo. (Kaline) izulu kaline izilimo zande, Iz’sebenzi zenam’, abantu basuthe[g] Kalibusiswe ilizwe leZimbabwe. III Nkosi busis’ilizwe lethu leZimbabwe Ilizwe labokhokho bethu thina sonke (Kusukela) kusuk’ eZambezi kusiy’ eLimpopo. Abakhokheli babelobuqotho Kalibusiswe ilizwe leZimbabwe.	1 [pʰa.ɣa.mi.sa.n‿i.fle.gi je.tʰu je.zʱi.ᵐba.bwe][f] [e.ja.zʱa.lwa ji.ᵐpi je.ᵑku.lu.le.ɣo] [(le.ga.zʱi) le.ga.zʱ‿e.li.ne.ᵑɡi la.ma.k!ʰa.we e.tʰu] [si.li.vʱi.ɣe.le e.zʱi.tʰe.ni zʱo.ᵑke] [ɣa.li.βu.si.swe i.li.zwe le.zʱi.ᵐba.bwe] 2 [kʰa.ᵑɡe.la.ni.zʱi.ᵐba.bwe jo.ni.ɬo.t͡sʰi.si.we] [ᵑɡe.zʱi.ⁿta.βa la.ᵑɡe.mi.ful.e.βu.ɣe.ɣa.jo] [(ɣa.li.ne) i.zʱu.lu ɣa.li.ne i.zʱi.li.mo zʱa.ⁿde] [izʱ.se.βe.ⁿzi zʱe.nam a.βa.ⁿtu βa.su.tʰe][g] [ɣa.li.βu.si.swe i.li.zwe le.zʱi.ᵐba.bwe] 3 [ᵑko.si βu.si.si.li.zwe le.tʰu le.zʱi.ᵐba.bwe] [i.li.zwe la.βo.kʰo.kʰo βe.tʰu tʰi.na so.ᵑke] [(ɣu.su.ɣe.la) ɣu.suɣ‿e.zʱa.ᵐbe.zʱi ɣu.si.j‿e.li.ᵐpo.pʼo] [a.βa.kʰo.kʰe.li βa.βe.lo.βu.k!o.tʰo] [ɣa.li.βu.si.swe i.li.zwe le.zʱi.ᵐba.bwe]

In other regional languages

Chewa lyrics[18]	Chibarwe lyrics[19]	Kalanga lyrics[20]	Koisan lyrics[21]
I O nyamulani mmwamba, mbendela yathu ya Zimbabwe Yobadwa ndi moto wa nkhondo Ndi gazi lofunikila la ngwazi zathu. Tiyeni tiliteteze kwa adani onse; Lidalitsidwe dziko la Zimbabwe. II Yang'anani Zimbabwe ya mphatso zambili Ndi maphiri ndi msinje, zokongola. Mvula igwe yambili ndi minda itulutse chakudya Anthu onse akhuthe ndi a ntchito alipilidwe. Lidalitsidwe dziko la Zimbabwe. III O Mulungu, dalitsani dziko la Zimbabwe, Dziko la mphatso yathu, Kuchokela ku Zambezi kufika ku Limpopo. Atsogoleli akhale pa chilungamo ndi ubwino wowoneka. Lidalitsidwe dziko la Zimbabwe.	I Simuzani mureza wathu waZimbabwe Idabarwa namuriro wachimureuga: Namaropa mazhinji amagauba Tiyiziwirire zvikerema zventse Ngarikomborerwe dziko raZimbabwe. II Ringani dziko ridatsimizwa Namabango, naturudzi zvidadekesa. Madzi ngaagwe, minda ipase poso Waseenzi wadekedzerwe, dungwe rigorwe Ngarikomborerwe dziko raZimbabwe. III Murungu komborerani dziko raZimbabwe Dziko rawakuru wathu wakare tentse; Kubuda kuna Zambezi mupaka kuna Limpopo. Nawatungamiri waite ndaramo, Ngarikomborerwe dziko raZimbabwe.	I Milidzani fulegi yedu yeZimbabwe Yakazwagwa nengwa yelununguko Nelopa njinji lebagwi bedu Tilidzibilile muzwita zose: Ayipiwe mahha hango yeZimbabwe. II Lingani Zimbabwe Hango yakanaka Nematombo nenjizi dzakanakisisa. Vula ngayine minda ipembele Bahingi balalame banhu bose bagute. Ayipiwe mahha hango yeZimbabwe. III Ndzimu yengemadzani Hango yeZimbabwe Hango yabobatategulu bedu tose Kubva Zambezi kunoti Limpopo. Nebatungamili babenendulamo. Ayipiwe mahha hango yeZimbabwe.	I Tanka ho Fulegi tan ka ho, Ka fulegi tan ka ho, Tcuan tcuara tem a ka kui sa-ua hi nguu ua E tuise ho we hi hum kadi, Zimbabwe nguu uae II Zimbabwe tcanuu, e nahu e nyua hue hi, Eshingisa e gǁawu gǁaua Tcuara gǁawu, tcuan ire ǁa, E tuise ho we hi nguu ka di, Zimbabwe nguu ka di. III Dzimu tcuara tsau maa, hi nguu ka di, Zimbabwe di. Hu mae tanuu, Zambezi hua ninuu kua kuise, Limpompo, kua si ke ko. Ha tcuan ira gǁo tconi ira ebkua ho tcan, e kairse tsau muari tcuan ua tca, Hi nguu ka di Zimbabwe di.

Nambya lyrics[22]	Ndau lyrics[23]	Shangani lyrics[24]	Sotho lyrics[25]
I Nyamulani indembela yedu yeZimbabwe Yakazwalwa nehondo yolusungunuko Nelopa inji lyamagamba edu, Tiyitabilije kuzwita zwose; Ngaikombolelwe inyika yeZimbabwe. II Lingani Zimbabwe inyika inopenya Namatunhu nenjizi zwinoyebeka. Ngaine ivula ngaine zwilimwa zwiwande Bashingi beshante nabanhu begute. Ngaikombolelwe inyika yeZimbabwe. III Mwali kombolelani inyika yeZimbabwe, Inyika yamatategulu edu isu tose, Kuvila Zambezi kuswika Limpopo. Batungamili bebe nobululami, Ngaikombolelwe inyika yeZimbabwe.	I Murudzai mujeke, wedu weZimbabwe Wakabarwa ngemwoto weChimurenga Nengazi yemagamba Tidziirire kuaengi eshe Ngaikomborerwe Nyika yeZimbabwe. II Ringirai Zimbabwe Nyika yakatsvindiswa Ngemakomo nenzizi zviinoyeveedza Ngainaye mvura, ngainaye minda ipe mbeu Vashandi vakudzwe ruzhinji rugutswe Ngaikomborerwe Nyika yeZimbabwe III Mwari komborerai Nyika yeZimbabwe Nyika yamadziteteguru edu Kubvira Zambezi kuguma Limpopo Neatungamiri aa nendaramo Ngaikomborerwe Nyika yeZimbabwe	I Tlakusani mujeko wa hina waZimbabwe. Yi nga tswariwa hi ndzilo wa nyimpi ya ntshuxeko na ngati yinyingi ya tinhenha. Hi yi sivelela ka valala hinkwavo a ri katekisiwe tiko raZimbabwe. II Langutani Zimbabwe tiko ri nga xongisiwa hi tintshava na mikova swi khavisaka. A yi ne mpfula masimu ya nyika. Vatirhi va tsaka xitshungu xi xurha. A ri katekisiwe tiko ra Zimbabwe. III Hosi katekisani tiko ra Zimbahwe, tiko ra yakokwana va hina hinkwerhu, ku sukela Zambezi ku kala Limpopo. Na vurhangeri byi va na vunene, a ri katekisiwe tiko ra Zimbabwe.	I Phahamisang fuleki ea rona ea Zimbabwe E tsoetsoeng ka ntoa ea tokoloho Le mal'amangata abahale ba rona Re e tsireletse ho lira tsohle; Ha le hlohonolofatsoe lefatse la Zimbabwe. II Talimang Zimbabwe eona e khabisitsoe Ka lithaba ne linoka tse bohehango. Pula ha ine lilemo li ate basebeletsi ba atlehe, batho bakhure Ha le hlohonolofatsoe lefatse la Zimbabwe. III Morena, hlohonolofatsa lefatse la Zimbabwe, Lefatse la baholoholo ba rona, Ho tloha Zambezi ho fihla Limpopo. Le baeteleli ba eme nneteng, Ha le hlohonolofatsoe lefatse la Zimbabwe.

Tonga lyrics[26]	Tswana lyrics[27]	Venda lyrics[28]	Xhosa lyrics[29]
I Amunyampule Ndembela yesu yaZimbabwe Yakazyalwa aNkondo yaLwaangunuko Abulowa bunji bwabasilumamba Tuyitabilile kuli basinkondoma Ngayilongezegwe nyika yaZimbabwe II Amulange Zimbabwe yo iidobeekedwe Amalundu Amilonga iiyebeka Mvula ngayiwe zilimwa zivule Babeleki Bajane, Abantu Bakkute Ngayilongezegwe Nyika yaZimbabwe III Mwami longezya nyika yesu yaZimbabwe Nyika yabaMataata besu Iswe Toonse Kuzwa kuli Zambezi kuya kuli Limpopo Bazulwidi Babe chitondeezyo Ngayilongezegwe Nyika yaZimbabwe	I O tsholeletsang godimo, folaga ya rona ya Zimbabwe Ee tshotshweng ke ntwa ya kgololesego Le madi ya megaka ya rona Re le tshireletse mo go baba ba rona Ka le segofatswe le fatshe la Zimbabwe II Bonang Zimbabwe ee kgabisetsweng Ka di thaba le dinoka tse di ntle Pula a ine le masimo a nnc le di dipoelo Botlhe bas a tlhtoke dijo le babereki ba duelwe Ka le segofatswe le fatshe la Zimbabwe III Modimo, segofatsa le fatshe la Zimbabwe Le fatshe boswa jwa rona Go tswa Zambezi go ya Limpopo A baeteledipele ba rona ba ne le maotsholo a bone a a eletsegang Ka le segofatswe le fatshe la Zimbabwe	I Takusani tuḽaga yashu ya Zimbabwe Ye ya bebwa nga nndwa ya mbofholowo Na malofha manzhi a vhahali vhashu Ri ḽi tsireledze maswinani oṱhe; Kha ḽi fhaṱutshedzwe shango ḽa Zimbabwe. II Sedzani Zimbabwe ḽone ḽo shomedzwa Nga dzithavha na milambo, i tamisaho. Kha i ṋe, mvula kha i ṋe zwiliṅwa zwi ande Vhashumi vha tondwe vhathu vha fure Kha ḽi fhaṱutshedzwe shango ḽa Zimbabwe. III Murena fhaṱutshedza shango ḽa Zimbabwe Shango ḽa vhomakhulukuku vhashu riṋe roṱhe U bva Zambezi u guma Vhembe Vharangaphanḓa vha vhe na ndulamo. Kha ḽi fhaṱutshedzwe shango ḽa Zimbabwe.	I Phakamisani flegi yethu yaseZimbabwe Eyavela ngedabi lenkululeko Ngegaz elininz' elamagorha ethu Lisikhusele nakwiintshaba zonke Malisikelelwe iLizwe laseZimbabwe II Jongan'iZimbabwe yon'ihonjisiwe Ngeentaba ezintle nemilamb'emihle imvula inethe nezityalo zande 'basebenzi bavun' abantu bahluthe Malisikelelwe iLizwe lase Zimbabwe III Nkosi sikekelela iLizwe laseZimbabwe ILizwe lemveli yethu thina sonke Kusuk' eZambezi kusiy' eLimpopo Iinkokheli zibenenyaniso Malisikelelwe iLizwe laseZimbabwe

See also

• National Anthem of Rhodesia

Notes

1. Often sung as "May our leaders be exemplary".^[6][7][8][9]
2. See Help:IPA and Shona language § Phonology and alphabet.
3. See Help:IPA and Northern Ndebele language § Phonology.
4. Written in the 2013 constitution as nemoto [ne.mo.to]^[10] but not often sung as such.^{[11][12][13][14]}
5. Sometimes sung as nemakomo [ne.ma.ko.mo].^[7][9][15]
6. Written in the 2013 constitution as Phakamisan’ifuleg’yethu yeZimbabwe [pʰa.ɣa.mi.sa.ni.fu.le.gje.tʰu je.zʱi.ᵐba.bwe]^[16] but almost never sung as such.^[7][11][17]
7. Written in the 2013 constitution as ‘Zisebenzi zename, labantu basuthe [zʱi.se.βe.ⁿzi zʱe.na.me la.βa.ⁿtu βa.su.tʰe]^[16] but almost never sung as such.^[11][12][13]

References

1. "The National Anthem". Government of Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
2. "National Anthem Act [Chapter 10:15]". law.co.zw. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
3. Constitution of Zimbabwe (English), WIPO Lex
4. "Country Profile". Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe to USA. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
5. The Official SADC Trade, Industry, and Investment Review. Southern African Marketing Company. 2005. p. 248.
6. Dlodlo, Sindile (November 2019). "An Investigation Into Nation Building Through the National Anthem in Zimbabwe: A Sociolinguistic Approach" (PDF). University of South Africa. p. 13 (26 in file).
7. RHI Media (2021-04-07). "Zimbabwe National Anthem Everton & Natasha Mlalazi". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
8. STAND MUSIC (2016-11-25). "STAND MUSIC- ZIMBABWE NATIONAL ANTHEM". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2022-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
9. MICHAEL MUZAMHINDO (2020-05-27). "The National Anthem of Zimbabwe - Michael Muzamhindo". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2022-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
10. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Shona) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net
11. "Zimbabwe National Anthem" (PDF). Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. 2019. p. 2. Retrieved 2022-04-03.
12. 263Chat (2016-11-10). "Zimbabwe National Anthem". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-04-03. Retrieved 2022-04-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
13. pafoni (2017-12-11). "National Anthem vs Anglican Anthem: Bonda Choir". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-04-03. Retrieved 2022-04-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
14. JR videos (2017-03-19). "National Anthem of Zimbabwe (Shona/English)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2022-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
15. Bednicho, Nyoni (2019). Abundant Life and Basic Needs: African Religions as a Resource for Sustainable Development, with Special Reference to Shona Religion. University of Bamberg Press. p. 272. ISBN 978-3-86309-664-9.
16. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Nedebele), kubatana.net
17. Mushawakanaka Zimbabwe (2017-12-07). "Zimbabwe National Anthem". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved 2022-05-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
18. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Chewa) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net
19. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Chibarwe) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net
20. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Kalanga) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net
21. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Koisan) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net
22. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Nambya) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net
23. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Ndau), kubatana.net
24. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Shangani) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net
25. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Sotho) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net
26. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Tonga), kubatana.net
27. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Tswana) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net
28. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Venda) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net
29. Constitution of Zimbabwe (Xhosa) Archived 2021-08-04 at the Wayback Machine, kubatana.net

External links