Zimbabwe is located on the Great Plateau in Southern Africa between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers bounded by Zambia to the north, South Africa to the south, Mozambique on the east and Botswana to the west.

The name Zimbabwe is derived from the magnificent Ancient City, Great Zimbabwe, an imposing piece of architecture built by the Shona people between the 11th and 15th centuries. The name Zimbabwe literally means House of Stones. Great Zimbabwe was the earliest Capital of Mwenemutapa (Mutapa) Empire which at its pick stretched from the Indian Ocean to the Kalahari Desert. The Mutapa Empire was famous for trade in gold and Ivory.

Colonial History:

Zimbabwe was in 1890 colonized by the British through agency of Cecil John Rhodhes with his band of invaders. After colonizing Zimbabwe, these invaders were rewarded large tracts of fertile land and gold claims. Authorities say Cecil John Rhodes rewarded each of the 197 invaders with 3,000 acres and 15 gold claims. The Survey Regulations of 1894 regularised these grants, quitrents barely exceeded £1 for 3,000 acres. The Natives were driven to dry and tsetse fly infested areas like Gwayi and Shangani, dislodging them from their fertile ancestral agricultural land. The desire for independence and land became the prime grievances of the black majority.

Zimbabwe gained its independence on the 18^th of April 1980.This followed a protracted armed struggle which was in two phases. The First Chimurenga (Anglo- Ndebele War ) of 1893 and the Mashona- Ndebele Uprising of 1896 .The Second Chimurenga lasted for more than 15 years and an estimated 50 thousand people perished. Resistance to nationalist politics began around 1950s and escalated to an armed struggle in the early 1960s. The protracted armed struggle began in July 1964 up to December 1979 when the Lancaster House Agreement was signed.

Among the unfair provisions of the Lancaster House Agreement, was that the new independent government of Zimbabwe was to acquire land voluntarily from white commercial farmers at asking price for the first ten years. However, lack of progress in addressing the land question resulted in compulsory acquisition of the land in year 2000.The fast-track land reform program aimed at restorative justice, however, received widespread condemnation resulting in America, Britain and other European countries placing Zimbabwe under economic sanctions.

Despite facing economic and political setbacks due to its historical background, Zimbabwe remains an epitome of resilience and hard work. It is home to the Majestic Victoria Falls, the Ancient Great Zimbabwe, rich cultural heritage and a diverse wildlife. The Eastern Highlands prides in good climate and vegetation, Mount Nyangani being one of the spectaculars. Kariba Dam is one of the largest men made lakes in Africa. Zimbabwe is above all the home of blue berries and the world’s proverbial tobacco pipe. The country is endowed with a wide variety of minerals and is home of platinum, lithium, diamonds and gold among others.  Several ethnic groups coexist and are identified by their rich cultural traditions which make them unique.

Important Historical Dates for Zimbabwe:

1890    Invasion of Zimbabwe and establishment of the British South African Company (BSAC)

1923    First Referendum

1930    Land Apportionment Act

1953 to 1963   Federation of Rhodesia, Northen Rhodesia and Nyasaland

1965 Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) at 11 am on the 11^th of November 1965

1966 The Sinoia battle, 28 April, 7 ZANLA guerillas perished after a battle against Rhodesian Soldiers and policemen to mark ZANLA’s organized war.

1967    Battle of Wankie, August, first organized battle against the Rhodesian Army by ZIPRA forces.       

1969    Land Tenure Act

1969    Constitutional referendum

1972    Pearce Commission, Africans resoundingly rejected the proposals between Salisbury and London to end the Smith regime’s rebellion to the British.

1976    The Nyadzonia Massacre-More than 1000 liberation fighters were killed by Rhodesian Selous Scouts in August 1976.

1977    Chimoio Massacre- More than 3000 people perished on the 23^rd of November 1977 at Chimoio. Rhodesian Forces massacred Zimbabweans including women and children.

1978    The internal settlement. Ther short-lived Zimbabwe-Rhodesia government was a result of sham elections that had ushered in Bishop Abel Muzorewa as the Prime Minister and Ian Smith and Jeremiah Chirau as his deputies

1979    The Lancaster House Agreement was signed in December 1979.

1980    Zimbabwe gained its Independence on the 18^th of April.

1987    White voters roll rescinded

1987   Signing of the Unity Accord between PF ZAPU and ZANU PF to end disturbances in Matabeleland and Midlands Provinces.

1990    Lapse of the Land tenure clause

1998    Donors Conference

2000    Land Reform Programme- History of the Land Reform Programme

2001    Sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe –( link )Names of Zimbabweans put under sanctions

2013  Constitution of Zimbabwe

2017    The coming of the New Dispensation lead by President CDE Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa following the resignation of the now late former President CDE Robert Gabriel Mugabe.  

2026    Constitutional Amendment Act number 3     

Leaders of Zimbabwe

Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa from 24 November 2017 

CDE Robert Gabriel Mugabe 31 December 1987 to 21 November 2017, died on 6 September 2019 at 95 years.

Non Executive President Rev Canaan Banana from 1980 to 1987, Died on 10 November 2003 at 67 years.

Prime Misters of Zimbabwe

Morgan Richard Tsvangirai  from 11 February 2009 to 22 August 2013

Robert Gabriel Mugabe from 18 April 1980  To 31 December 1987

Capital City :  Harare

Population  : 15 million according to the 2022 population census, males 48% and females 52%

Sport and entertainment : Football is Zimbabwe’s most popular sport with the senior  men’s team ‘The Warriors’ the number one team. Cricket, rugby, athletics, boxing, hockey and netball are also popular sports. Music is one of major sources of entertainment and below are some of the celebrated Zimbabwean musicians. Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, David Scoby, Chioniso Maraire, Andy Brown, Jah Prayza, Mokoomba, Leonard Dembo, Leonard Zhakata, The Charambas, Winky D among others.