#20. The Republic of Zimbabwe

What is in your basket? Back to class in 2010 when I learnt about the migration of indigenous groups, who happen to be our forefathers in Africa, I am reminded of some of the oldest group that made a critical part of the Southern Africa kingdom close to a century ago. This happened when the Africa was borderless as we shall be seeing throughout next year. The San people are oldest traced in Zimbabwe. Followed by the Bantus who are perceived to have moved from the Central African region, and later the Shona people, who currently dominate the country. I am happy to have so many friends who are Shona already!

Famous for its?beautiful landscape, Limpopo, and Zambezi rivers as well as its diverse wildlife and rich history, Zimbabwe is a?landlocked country in Southern Africa between the two magnificent rivers, bordered by South Africa to the South, Botswana to the South-west, Zambia to the North, and Mozambique to the East. Among many others, the country is among the last African countries to gain independence (1980), had one of the longest serving president, H.E. the late President Robert Mugabe (one of my best African heroes who led for 36 years), hosts the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Kariba and houses one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls. One more interesting fact is that; Zimbabwe was the second African country to have a TV station in 1961 when it was still called Rhodesia, nineteen years before it gained independence. Zimbabweans are very selfless people - traditionally collectivistic!

With such a rich background, let us see the behind-the-scenes of the national identity for the Republic of Zimbabwe! Sail with me:).

Brief History of the National Flag

Back when the British South Africa (BSA) Company were administrators of the then Southern Rhodesia, they used the same flag which was used in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia), (shown below).

Zimbabwe was a British colony for many years before gaining independence in modern times, and while part of the British Empire, it was represented by several different Zimbabwean flags. The flag had a dark blue background and showed both Union Jack in Canton and the seal of South Rhodesia in flight. The seal was a shield that showed a golden selection on a green ground under a white bar with a red tap between two plants. The lion was a symbol of the British Empire, but other symbols reflected the unique features of the colony itself. It was the country’s first colonial flag and was used between 1923 and 1964, (shown below)

The country became Rhodesia in 1964 and acquired a new flag. It had symbols like the old flag, but the background had a lighter shade of blue, (shown below).

In 1968, new design that included a white vertical stripe with the national emblem between two green bands was adopted, (shown below).

The country restructured as “Zimbabwe Rhodesia” after the 1979 Internal Settlement between both the government and conservative black nationalists, and then a new flag was approved on September 4 of that year to signify the shift. The Zimbabwe Rhodesia flag was designed by Flight Lieutenant Cedric Herbert, a member of both the Rhodesian Heraldry and Genealogy Society and the Rhodesian Air Force, (shown below).

After Zimbabwe was given independence by the UK in April of 1980, a new national flag was, however, adopted. It comprises of seven equally spaced horizontal stripes in green, gold, red, and black. A Zimbabwean bird sits on top of a red five-pointed star within a white triangle to the left of the flag. ?This bird most likely depicts an?African fish eagle or a Bateleur eagle, (shown below).

Meaning of the flag parameters.

? The?Black?band in the middle of the flag represents heritage, race, and culture the black majority of people of Zimbabwe .

? The?Red?bands are symbolic of the blood spilled during the liberation struggle - the fight for?independence.

? The?Yellow?bands signify the country's mineral wealth.

? The?Green?bands on the outer edges of the flag of Zimbabwe are symbolic of the country's agriculture and vegetation.

? The?White triangle?contains the country’s national emblem, the Zimbabwe. The white colour of the triangle represents peace in the country

? This Bird ("Great Zimbabwe Bird" (Hungwe)) is a traditional symbol of Zimbabwe, which shows the strong connection that the indigenous people of Zimbabwe have with the natural world.?

? The?Red five-point Star?symbolises hope for the future.

The National Anthem

Written in Shona, Ndebele and English.

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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.

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National motto: UNITY, FREEDOM, WORK

What are you proud of in your precious life? It found me thinking of how many times we admire what other people have, and because they succeeded in voicing it out louder than us with other external support, we feel "only theirs matters". I love how the national anthem of Zimbabwe acknowledges their rich natural resource and human bank and their pledge to remain loyal to the land that their fore fathers entrusted in them. It may be diffferent or a disappointing progress to many but we are still on track towards a better tomorrow.

Clicking the acceptance button of what we have as Africans is the exact spirit that I advocate for a start on our highway to a luminous tomorrow. Continously looking aside will only make us knock our feet in the progress agenda. A big mess is already done, and this journey is for the tough, who do not take a damn on the ruggedness of the terrain.

I join Zimbabweans in this positive mindset of recognizing how amazing and blessed we are to have abundance. This is the best start point. We will own our skills, and endowments as we work towards a better life for everyone. k

Dear Africa, we have enough already to set out our voyage!

Dear reader, see you in the next country!

Main refs: A-z-animals.com, The flager.com, Victoriafalls - guide.net, Nomadsunveiled.com, wikipedia.

?Girl of the African Soil