Zimbabwe: Political System
According to CANCERMATTERS.NET, Zimbabwe is a presidential republic. The unicameral parliament consists of 150 members, 120 of whom are directly elected every six years, 20 are appointed by the president (including eight provincial governors) and ten are tribal chiefs. The direct election of the head of state takes place every six years. See AbbreviationFinder for more information about Zimbabwe politics, and acronyms as well.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe (born 1924) has ruled the country as President since 1987 – before that he was Prime Minister Zimbabwe from 1980 to 1987.
The official name of the country is:
| Republic of Zimbabwe |
National anthem
Based on flag descriptions by Countryaah.com, the national anthem of Zimbabwe reads Isi Ndebele: Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe and Shona: Simudzai mureza wedu weZimbabwe. It was introduced in 1994. Solomon Mutswairo (born 1924) wrote the text, the music is by Fred Lecture Changundega (born 1954).
- Check top-mba-universities for public holidays, sports events, UNESCO world heritage sites and major places to visit in Zimbabwe.
It reads in the English translation
| Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe.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 labor 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. |
Zimbabwe: People Known
Hugh Neville “Cork” Ballington (born 1952)
Hugh Ballington, a former South African motorcycle racer from today’s Harare, was able to claim four world championship titles between 1976 and 1982.
Canaan Sodindo Banana (1936-2003)
The Methodist pastor, who was born in Esiphezini in what is now Zimbabwe, in 1936, served as the country’s first president from 1980 to 1987. Banana, who in 1982 banned all jokes about his name by law, was replaced by Robert Mugabe in 1987 and arrested in 1996 for homosexuality; Found guilty of this in 1998, he fled to South Africa. He returned in 1998, was sentenced to ten years in prison a year later, but was released after just two years.
Cara Black (born 1979) In
1979, Cara Black, a successful Zimbabwean tennis player, was born in Harare (then Salisbury), who has so far victoriously participated in several Grand Slam tournaments.
Kirsty Leigh Coventry (born 1983)
The well-known Zimbabwean swimmer was born in Harare in 1983 and broke the world record set by Krisztina Egerszegi for the 200 m back in 2008. That same year, Coventry won at the Olympic Games in Beijing gold in the 200m backstroke and three silver medals.
Chelsy Yvonne Davy (born 1985)
Born in Bulawayo, Chelsy Yvonne Davy gained fame as the friend of Prince Harry of Wales, with whom she had been dating – intermittently – between 2004 and 2010.
Dorothy Masuka (born 1935)
The well-known South African jazz and pop singer Dorothy Masuka, who has influenced many other celebrities today, also came from Bulawayo.
Victor Mavedzenge (born 1974)
In 1974 the well-known artist Victor Mavedzenge was born in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, and is one of the most prominent exponents of new African art. His mostly abstract works deal, among other things, with gender-specific role models.
Tendai “The Beast” Mtawarira (born 1985)
The South African rugby union player from Harare currently plays for his country’s national team and for the Sharks.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe (born 1924)
If you look at the dire situation in Zimbabwe, it is mainly thanks to one man – Robert Gabriel Mugabe, born in Masvingo in 1924 and since 1987 the head of state of Zimbabwe as President. After initial successes in the health sector, for example, Mugabe’s policy changed in the 1990s towards a lack of transparency, corruption, human rights violations and dictatorial governance. His racist and intolerant politics caused a serious famine in the country and a virulent imbalance in infrastructure and economy. Mugabe, who had been prime minister since 1980 and a former freedom hero, has turned more and more into a despot who has completely ruined his country economically.
Benjamin Mwaruwari (born 1978)
In 1978 the soccer player known as “Benjani” was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and is mostly used as a striker. He is currently playing for the Blackburn Rovers.
Stella Rambisai Chiweshe Nekati (born 1946)
The well-known musician from Mujumi made a big name for herself as a mbira player and singer – also abroad. She is honored by her people as “Ambuya Chinyakare”, in English: Grandmother of traditional music.
Dumisani “Dumi” Ngulube (1969-2010)
The Zimbabwean pianist, singer and music teacher had a not inconsiderable influence on Afro jazz and Ndebele music. Apart from the piano, “Dumi” also played congas, guitar, keyboard, marimba, mbira and trumpet.
Ian Douglas Smith (1919-2007)
Ian Smith was Prime Minister of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) from 1964 to 1979 and led the country to independence in 1980.
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (born 1952)
The Zimbabwean politician, born in Buhera in 1952 and chairman of the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change, has served as prime minister of his country since 2009. After long negotiations, Tsvangirai and Mugabe have agreed to form a unity government in which Mugabe will remain president and head of state and Tsvangirai will become head of government. The “power sharing” was preceded by serious human rights violations against Tsvangirai and his supporters. In 2009, Tsvangirai’s wife was killed in an accident when the couple’s car crashed into an aid agency truck.
Charlene Lynette Wittstock (born 1978)
Charlene Wittstock, a former South African swimmer with a German background, became known as the fiancée of Prince Albert II of Monaco.
