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.
Proudly Lift High the Flag of the Land of Zimbabwe (Shona: "Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe"; Ndebele: "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe") is the national anthem of Zimbabwe.
The national anthem was introduced in March 1994 after a nation-wide competition to replace "Ishe Komborera Africa" with a distinctly Zimbabwean song. The winning entry was a song written by Professor Solomon Mutswairo and composed by Fred Changundega. It has been translated into all three of the main languages of Zimbabwe.
Where and when it is used
The National anthem of Zimbabwe is used in a wide array of contexts. It is played on national holidays and festivals, as well as during sporting events such as the Olympic Games.
The national Anthem is played to students at the start of each school day as an exercise in patriotism. The country's national broadcasters also play the national anthem each morning at 0600hrs Zimbabwean time.
SHONA
Simudzai mureza wedu weZimbabwe
Yakazvarwa nomoto wechimurenga;
Neropa zhinji ramagamba
Tiidzivirire kumhandu dzose;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
Tarisai Zimbabwe nyika yakashongedzwa
Namakomo, nehova, zvinoyevedza
Mvura ngainaye, minda ipe mbesa
Vashandi vatuswe, ruzhinji rugutswe;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
Mwari ropafadzai nyika yeZimbabwe
Nyika yamadzitateguru edu tose;
Kubva Zambezi kusvika Limpopo,
Navatungamiri vave nenduramo;
Ngaikomborerwe nyika yeZimbabwe.
NDEBELE
Phakamisan iflegi yethu yeZimbabwe
Eyazalwa yimpi yenkululeko;
Legaz' elinengi lamaqhawe ethu
Silivikele ezithan izonke;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.
Khangelan' iZimbabwe yon' ihlotshiwe
Ngezintaba lang' miful' ebukekayo,
>Izulu kaline, izilimo zande;
Iz' sebenzi zenam', abantu basuthe;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.
Nkosi busis' ilizwe lethu leZimbabwe
Ilizwe labokhokho bethu thina sonke;
Kusuk' eZambezi kusiy' eLimpopo
Abakhokheli babe lobuqotho;
Kalibusisiwe ilizwe leZimbabwe.
ENGLISH
O lift high the banner, the flag of Zimbabwe
The symbol of freedom proclaiming victory;
We praise our heros' sacrifice,
And vow to keep our land from foes;
And may the Almighty protect and bless our land.
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.
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.