Zimbabwe’s National Anthems
Zimbabwe’s National Anthems
Zimbabwe has adopted over 3 national anthems since its colonisation by the British Empire in the late 1800s. The first anthem was the royal anthem “God Save The Queen” as evident in Commonwealth territories. In the early 1970s, the Rhodesian Government held a national competition to source the lyrics of a new anthem. The national search was intended to attract lyrics that would match the chosen tune that came from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. This competition was won by Mary Bloom of Gwelo (now Gweru) leading to "Rise, O Voices of Rhodesia" becoming the national anthem of Rhodesia. This anthem replaced "God Save the Queen" which is the royal anthem in a number of Commonwealth territories.
Lyrics:
Rise, O voices of Rhodesia,
God may we Thy bounty share.
Give us strength to face all danger,
And where challenge is, to dare.
Guide us, Lord, to wise decision,
Ever of Thy grace aware,
Oh, let our hearts beat bravely always
For this land within Thy care.
Rise, O voices of Rhodesia,
Bringing her your proud acclaim,
Grandly echoing through the mountains,
Rolling o’er the far flung plain.
Roaring in the mighty rivers,
Joining in one grand refrain,
Ascending to the sunlit heavens,
Telling of her honoured name.
Enoch Sontonga’s “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” was translated into Shona in the early 1900s. The song was accepted by all members of the Southern Rhodesian community more so for its Christian message. “Ishe Komborera Africa” became synonymous with African liberation movements, Zimbabwe’s in particular, including the South Africa’s liberation struggle against Apartheid. The hymn was officially adopted as the country’s national anthem following Independence from 1980 to 1994. It is still sung in churches and various other gatherings today.
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ChiShona Lyrics Ishe komborera Africa Ngaisimudzirwe zita rayo Inzwai miteuro yedu Ishe komborera, Isu, mhuri yayo. Huya mweya Huya mweya komborera (repeat previous two lines) Huya mweya Huya mweya mutsvene Uti komborere Isu mhuri yayo. |
IsiNdebele Lyrics Nkosi, sikelel’ iAfrika, Maluphakanyisw’ udumo lwayo; Yizwa imithandazo yethu Nkosi sikelela, Nkosi sikelela, Woza Moya (woza, woza), Woza Moya (woza, woza), Woza Moya, Oyingcwele. Usisikelele, Thina lusapho lwayo |
English Lyrics God bless Africa, Let her fame spread far and wide! Hear our prayer, May God bless us! Come, Spirit, come! Come! Holy Spirit! Come and bless us, her children! |
The current national anthem of Zimbabwe was adopted in 1994 after being written by Professor Solomon Mutswairo as a winning submission in a national anthem competition. The music was composed by Fred Changundega. The anthem may be sung with interchangeable verses to represent the languages presented in Zimbabwe.
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ChiShona Lyrics Verse 1 Simudzai mureza wedu weZimbabwe Yakazvarwa nemoto wechimurenga, Neropa zhinji ramagamba Tiidzivirire kumhandu dzose; Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe. Verse 2 Tarisai Zimbabwe nyika yakashongedzwa Namakomo, nehova, zvinoyeveedza Mvura ngainaye, minda ipe mbesa Vashandi vatuswe, ruzhinji rugutswe; Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe. Verse 3 Mwari ropafadzai nyika yeZimbabwe Nyika yamadzitateguru edu tose; Kubva Zambezi kusvika Limpopo, Navatungamiri vave nenduramo; Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe. |
IsiNdebele Lyrics Verse 1 Phakamisan’ if‘legi yethu yeZimbabwe Eyazalwa yimpi yenkululeko; Legaz’ elinengi lamaqhawe ethu Silivikele ezithen’ izonke; Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe. Verse 2 Khangelan’ iZimbabwe yon’ ihlotshisiwe Ngezintaba lange’ miful’ ebukekayo, Izulu kaline, izilimo zande; Iz’ sebenzi zenam’, abantu basuthe; Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe. Verse 3 Nkosi busis’ ilizwe lethu leZimbabwe Ilizwe labokhokho bethu thina sonke; Kusuk’ eZambezi kusiy’ eLimpopo Abakhokheli babe lobuqotho; Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe. |
English Lyrics Verse 1 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. Verse 2 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. Verse 3 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. |