Zimbabwe flag
The flag of Zimbabwe consists of seven horizontal stripes of equal width. The middle stripe is black and there are stripes of red, green and yellow above and below the black stripe. On the left side of the Zimbabwe flag is a white horizontal triangle with a red, five-point star in it and on top of the star there is a yellow Great Zimbabwe bird.
- Green: represents the farming and agriculture in Zimbabwe
- Yellow: represents the abundance of mineral wealth in the country
- Red: the blood shed during the first and second Chimurenga (wars of liberation)
- Black: the heritage and ethnicity of the native Africans of Zimbabwe
- White Triangle: symbolises peace in Zimbabwe
- Zimbabwe Bird: the national symbol of Zimbabwe
- Red Star: the nation’s hopes and aspirations for the future
Zimbabwe Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms depicts two kudus on the left and right, each standing on top of an earthly mound composed of stalks of wheat, a pile of cotton, and a head of maize. At their feet there is also a banner emblazoned with the Zimbabwe national motto (Unity, Freedom, Work). The shield itself is green, featuring 14 waves of alternating white and blue waved lines at top (chief argent), and also at the center of the shield a representation of the ancient Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe is shown. Placed behind the shield are an agricultural hoe (to the left) and an AK-47 automatic rifle (to the right), both of which are tied with twisted strips of green and gold silk. On the crest, the red star and the Great Zimbabwe Bird, which are also depicted in the national flag, are shown.
The meanings of the Zimbabwe Coat of Arms are as follows:
- Kudus: the unity of Zimbabwe’s various ethnic groups
- Earthly Mound: the need to always provide for the Zimbabweans
- Motto Banner: the need to maintain national unity and the preservation of freedom
- Shield: the fertility of the country’s soil and water
- Great Zimbabwe: the historical heritage of the nation
- Hoe and Rifle: Celebrates the struggle for peace and democracy, as well as the proud work-ethic of the Zimbabwean people.
- Strips of Silk: the national financial enterprise and the protection of the economy
- Red Star: hope for the future of Zimbabwe. Conveys the revolutionary nature of the 1980 achievement majority rule, and the struggle towards a fair, equal society.
- Great Zimbabwe Bird: national identity
Zimbabwe Bird
Zimbabwe National Anthem
Audio
Shona
1. Simudzai mureza wedu weZimbabwe
Yakazvarwa nomoto wechimurenga;
Neropa zhinji ramagamba
Tiidzivirire kumhandu dzose;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
Yakazvarwa nomoto wechimurenga;
Neropa zhinji ramagamba
Tiidzivirire kumhandu dzose;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
2. Tarisai Zimbabwe nyika yakashongedzwa
Namakomo, nehova, zvinoyevedza
Mvura ngainaye, minda ipe mbesa
Vashandi vatuswe, ruzhinji rugutswe;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
Namakomo, nehova, zvinoyevedza
Mvura ngainaye, minda ipe mbesa
Vashandi vatuswe, ruzhinji rugutswe;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
3. Mwari ropafadzai nyika yeZimbabwe
Nyika yamadzitateguru edu tose;
Kubva Zambezi kusvika Limpopo,
Navatungamiri vave nenduramo;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
Nyika yamadzitateguru edu tose;
Kubva Zambezi kusvika Limpopo,
Navatungamiri vave nenduramo;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
Ndebele
1. Phakamisan iflegi yethu yeZimbabwe
Eyazalwa yimpi yenkululeko;
Legaz’ elinengi lamaqhawe ethu
Silivikele ezithen izonke;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.
Eyazalwa yimpi yenkululeko;
Legaz’ elinengi lamaqhawe ethu
Silivikele ezithen izonke;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.
2. Khangelan’ iZimbabwe yon’ ihlotshisiwe
Ngezintaba lang’ miful’ ebukekayo,
Izulu kaline, izilimo zande;
Iz’ sebenzi zenam’, abantu basuthe;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.
Ngezintaba lang’ miful’ ebukekayo,
Izulu kaline, izilimo zande;
Iz’ sebenzi zenam’, abantu basuthe;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.
3. Nkosi busis’ ilizwe lethu leZimbabwe
Ilizwe labokhokho bethu thina sonke;
Kusuk’ eZambezi kusiy’ eLimpopo
Abakhokheli babe lobuqotho;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.
Ilizwe labokhokho bethu thina sonke;
Kusuk’ eZambezi kusiy’ eLimpopo
Abakhokheli babe lobuqotho;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.
English
1. 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.
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.
2. 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.
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.
3. 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;
And may the Almighty protect and bless our land.
The land of our fathers bestowed upon us all;
From Zambezi to Limpopo
May leaders be exemplary;
And may the Almighty protect and bless our land.