Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country in Southeast Africa, situated between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the north, and Mozambique to the east.
Location of Zimbabwe in Africa
With a population of approximately 16.9 million people as of 2024 estimates, Zimbabwe's largest ethnic group is the Shona, who constitute about 80% of the population, followed by the Northern Ndebele and other smaller minorities. Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, with English, Shona, and Ndebele being the most common.
The country's official name is the Republic of Zimbabwe. However, it was formerly known by several other names throughout its history, reflecting different periods of colonial rule and political transitions.
Early History and Civilizations
Archaeological records indicate that archaic human settlement of present-day Zimbabwe dates back at least 500,000 years. The earliest known inhabitants were likely the San people, who left behind a legacy of arrowheads and cave paintings. Societies speaking proto-Shona languages emerged in the middle Limpopo River valley in the 9th century before moving on to the Zimbabwean highlands.
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The Zimbabwean plateau became the center of subsequent Shona states, beginning around the 10th century. Around this time, trade developed with Arab merchants on the Indian Ocean coast, aiding the growth of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe in the 13th century. This kingdom was a precursor to the Shona civilizations that dominated the region from the 13th century, evidenced by ruins at Great Zimbabwe, near Masvingo, and other smaller sites.
The name "Zimbabwe" stems from a Shona term for Great Zimbabwe, a medieval city (Masvingo) in the country's south-east. Many sources hold that "Zimbabwe" derives from dzimba-dza-mabwe, translated from the Karanga dialect of Shona as "houses of stones".
By 1300, the Kingdom of Zimbabwe eclipsed Mapungubwe. From around 1450 to 1760, the Kingdom of Mutapa ruled much of the area of present-day Zimbabwe, plus parts of central Mozambique. This empire, also known as Mwene Mutapa or Monomotapa, was renowned for its strategic trade routes with the Arabs and Portugal.
As a direct response to increased European presence in the interior, a new Shona state emerged, known as the Rozwi Empire. Relying on centuries of military, political, and religious development, the Rozwi (meaning "destroyers") expelled the Portuguese from the Zimbabwean plateau in 1683.
British Colonization and the Naming of Rhodesia
In the 1880s, European colonists arrived with Cecil Rhodes's British South Africa Company (BSAC). In 1888, Rhodes obtained a concession for mining rights from King Lobengula of the Ndebele peoples. He used this concession to persuade the government of the United Kingdom to grant a royal charter to the company over Matabeleland, and its subject states such as Mashonaland as well.
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In 1895, the BSAC adopted the name "Rhodesia" for the territory, in honor of Rhodes. In 1898, "Southern Rhodesia" became the official name for the region south of the Zambezi River. The region to the north, administered separately, was later termed Northern Rhodesia (present-day Zambia).
Map of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, 1961
The United Kingdom annexed Southern Rhodesia on September 12, 1923. Under the new constitution, Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing British colony, subsequent to a 1922 referendum.
The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
In 1953, Britain consolidated the two Rhodesias with Nyasaland (Malawi) in the Central African Federation, which Southern Rhodesia essentially dominated. However, growing African nationalism and general dissent persuaded Britain to dissolve the union in 1963, forming three separate divisions.
Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI)
Following Zambian independence in 1964, Ian Smith's Rhodesian Front government in Salisbury dropped the designation "Southern" in 1964 and the country became known simply as Rhodesia. On November 11, 1965, Smith issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) from the United Kingdom.
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The United Kingdom deemed the Rhodesian declaration an act of rebellion but did not re-establish control by force. The British government petitioned the United Nations for sanctions against Rhodesia pending unsuccessful talks with Smith's administration in 1966 and 1968.
Post-UDI Events
On December 16, 1966, the UN Security Council, for the first time in this history, imposed mandatory economic sanctions on a state. Rhodesia's primary exports including ferrochrome and tobacco, were replaced on the selective sanctions list, as were shipments of arms, aircraft, motor vehicles, petroleum, and petroleum products to Rhodesia.
On May 29, 1968, the Security Council unanimously voted to broaden the sanctions by imposing an almost total embargo on all trade with, investments in, or transfers of funds to Rhodesia and imposed restrictions on air transport to the territory.
A civil war ensued when Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) and Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) initiated guerrilla operations against Rhodesia's predominantly white government.
Zimbabwe Rhodesia: A Short-Lived State
In March 1978, Smith reached an accord with three African leaders, led by Bishop Abel Muzorewa, who offered to leave the white population comfortably entrenched in exchange for the establishment of a biracial democracy. As a result of the Internal Settlement, elections were held in April 1979, concluding with the United African National Council (UANC) carrying a majority of parliamentary seats.
On June 1, 1979, Muzorewa, the UANC head, became prime minister and the country's name was changed to Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
Zimbabwe: How One Man Destroyed the Economy?
Independence and the Republic of Zimbabwe
Following the fifth Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the British government invited Muzorewa, Mugabe, and Nkomo to participate in a constitutional conference at Lancaster House. On December 21, 1979, delegations from every major interest represented reached the Lancaster House Agreement, effectively ending the guerrilla war.
On December 11, 1979, the Rhodesian House of Assembly voted to revert to British colonial status. With the arrival of Christopher Soames, the new governor on December 12, 1979, Britain formally took control of Zimbabwe Rhodesia as the Colony of Southern Rhodesia. Britain lifted sanctions on December 12, and the United Nations followed suit on December 16.
During the 1980 Southern Rhodesian general election, Mugabe and the ZANU party secured a landslide victory. On April 11, 1980, Southern Rhodesia became the independent nation of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe's first president after its independence was Canaan Banana in what was originally a mainly ceremonial role as head of state. Robert Mugabe became Prime Minister of Zimbabwe in 1980 and was the President of Zimbabwe from 1987 until his resignation in 2017.
Robert Mugabe at Zimbabwe's Independence Day celebrations, 1994
Zimbabwe is a nation of over 10 million people, with its capital at Harare, known in colonial times as Salisbury. Harare is also the largest city, with over a million people. The population consists primarily of native Africans of the Shona tribe, a Bantu people, but there are small European and Asian minorities.
Key Facts About Zimbabwe
Here's a summary of some key facts about Zimbabwe:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Republic of Zimbabwe |
| Former Names | Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe Rhodesia |
| Independence Day | April 18, 1980 |
| Capital | Harare |
| Official Languages | English, Shona, Ndebele |
| Major Ethnic Group | Shona (80%) |
Zimbabwe's journey from ancient civilizations to colonial rule and finally to independence has shaped its identity. The name "Zimbabwe" itself is a testament to the rich history and heritage of this nation.
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