Zimbabwe National Anthem: English Translation, Original Lyrics And History

What Is The Zimbabwe National Anthem: English Translation, Original Lyrics, And History. Photo: MidiFiles

What Is The Zimbabwe National Anthem?

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. Zimbabwe's national anthem is a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, and struggles of the people of Zimbabwe. It is used by the government of Zimbabwe as the official national song.

Zimbabwe's national anthem is played and sung in a variety of settings. Besides being a staple at major sporting events like the Olympics, it also plays an integral role in our nation's celebrations and festivals. Students are encouraged to show their patriotism by singing along with the National Anthem whenever it is played at the beginning of the school day. At 0600hrs Zimbabwean time every morning, the national broadcasters also play the national anthem.

Take a look at its history, English translation, and original lyrics.

History of Zimbabwe National Anthem

The song, which was first performed in March 1994, replaced the South African-inspired "Ishe Komborera Africa" with an original composition by local musicians. Professor Solomon Mutswairo's original Shona song, with music by Fred Changundega, was judged the best entry.

Both English and Ndebele, two of Zimbabwe's official languages, have versions that have been translated from the original.

While the English version is occasionally sung, the Ndebele one is more popular in the Matebeleland regions of Zimbabwe. There are now several classrooms teaching the Sotho/Tswana language combination in Matabeleland South.

Since that Zimbabwe recognizes 16 official tongues, the 2013 Constitutional Reforms mandated that the original Shona song's lyrics be translated into the other 15 official languages. The Constitution of 2013 established the official texts, however the final English text in the Constitution differed from the more poetic and metrical version that had been used up to that point and is in popular use today. Here you will find both the updated canonical version and the more common one.

Although all translations are recognized and given equal weight by the Constitution, the Shona and Ndebele versions continue to be the most often used in everyday life.

Some of the versions of the Zimbabwe National Anthem

Ndebele lyrics

1. Phakamisan iflegi yethu yeZimbabwe

Eyazalwa yimpi yenkululeko;

Legaz’ elinengi lamaqhawe ethu

Silivikele ezithan izonke;

Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.

2. Khangelan’ iZimbabwe yon’ ihlotshiwe

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.

Shona lyrics

1. Simudzai mureza wedu weZimbabwe

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.

3. Mwari ropafadzai nyika yeZimbabwe

Nyika yamadzitateguru edu tose;

Kubva Zambezi kusvika Limpopo,

Navatungamiri vave nenduramo;

Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.

Chewa lyrics

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.

Nambya lyrics

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.

Tswana lyrics

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

Tonga lyrics

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

English Lyrics

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.

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.

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.

Lyric videos of Zimbabwe National Anthem

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