presentation about zimbabwe

Oct 28, 2019

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Zimbabwe. “ Home of a proud nation, tourism destination to eager tourists and also a business community to aspiring entrepreneurs.”. Zimbabwe is a landlocked country. It is located in the southern region of Africa.

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• social life
• tourism destination
• zimbabwe acquired
• previously called salisbury
• ongoing industry providing leisure

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Zimbabwe “ Home of a proud nation, tourism destination to eager tourists and also a business community to aspiring entrepreneurs.”

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country. It is located in the southern region of Africa. According to the latest census, the population is a total of 13,8 million people. The president of Zimbabwe is Cde. Robert G Mugabe. It is divided into 10 provinces.

History of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe acquired it’s independence on the 18th of April 1980. It was named after the great ruins made of stone called “dzimbadzamabwe”.

Harare Harare is the capital city of Zimbabwe. It is also the largest city in Zimbabwe. It was previously called Salisbury.

Wildlife and Tourism Zimbabwe is famous for its rich wildlife and it is also home to the big five. Tourism in Zimbabwe is an ongoing industry providing leisure and employment. So many hotels, lodges, restaurants and recreational parks are making it big in Zimbabwe, for example Antelope Park.

Transport and Accommodation Zimbabwe has communal buses and taxis for public transport. People tent to use communal buses on day to day basis because of their low-cost.

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“Thank you,Tatenda,siyabonga”

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The Great Zimbabwe - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Great Zimbabwe

The great zimbabwe the great enclosure, great zimbabwe monument great zimbabwe great zimbabwe is a mysterious ruin in the african nation formerly known as rhodesia ... – powerpoint ppt presentation.

• Great Zimbabwe is a mysterious ruin in the African nation formerly known as Rhodesia, which takes its modern name, Zimbabwe, from the site.
• The huge walls and tower, which are
• held together without mortar, are the
• largest structures in Africa south of
• the Pyramids.
• The Great Zimbabwe was built by Bantu Shonas from Central Africa
• The walls, up to 35 feet tall and 18 feet thick at the bottom, were built in the twelfth century.
• The city of Great Zimbabwe is located in the present day country of Zimbabwe.
• Geographically it is located to the east of the Kalahari desert between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers.
• The huge plains that surround the city can support agricultural and herding that the people of Great Zimbabwe needed to sustain themselves.
• One of the most amazing aspects of this great civilization is that they had up to 20,000 people living around the elliptical building in mud huts.
• The ruling Bantu-speaking elite appears to have controlled wealth through the management of cattle, which were the staple diet at Great Zimbabwe. At its height, Great Zimbabwe is estimated to have had a population greater than 10,000.
• Great Zimbabwe was built and managed by Africans living in the interior. It was a center of gold and ivory trade. Towards the latter part of the history of Great Zimbabwe, evidence suggests that the people living there were trading with regions as far as China, Persia, and Syria.
• People living at Great Zimbabwe also practiced agriculture and cattle herding. Too many people living and farming one small area led to environmental degradation.
• 1. What was the Great Zimbabwe?
• 2. What part of Africa was the Great Zimbabwe located?
• 3. Who were the people that built?
• 4. What did the people do?
• 5. What cause the degradation of the land?
• 6. What did they eat?
• 7. Who were the people that built the Great Zimbabwe?
• 8. Who made the discoveries of Great Zimbabwe?
• 9. What did they believe in?
• 10. How they conduct business?

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The World Bank in Zimbabwe

The World Bank’s lending program in Zimbabwe is inactive due to arrears and the role is now limited to technical assistance and analytical work through Trust Funds.

Zimbabwe has strong foundations for accelerating future economic growth and improving living standards. Private sector-led growth is critical to maximize the country’s potential.  For decades after independence, Zimbabwe was one of the countries with the highest living standards in Africa—buttressed by a skilled workforce and infrastructure superior to most countries. Notwithstanding its economic decline since 1995, it continues to boast several sectors that are still competitive or could—in the short to medium term—be competitive regionally and globally. The recently completed Country Private Sector Diagnostic finds Zimbabwe highly competitive in several value chains in agriculture and agribusiness industries, including sugar, cotton, horticulture, and meat and dairy. Furthermore, tourism and mining of energy transition minerals –including ample lithium reserves – hold significant potential in the short term.

To realize this potential fully, Zimbabwe needs to find new ways to capitalize on existing and emerging opportunities for the private sector to drive economic growth and harness the country’s comparative advantages, including its relatively strong human capital, comparable to that of upper-middle-income economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, and its abundant mineral and natural resources.

Economic context

Zimbabwe’s economic development continues to be hampered by several challenges. Real GDP is estimated to have grown by 5.5% in 2023, after a 6.5% growth in 2022, due to an expansion in agriculture, mining, and remittances-induced services growth. Nevertheless, macroeconomic volatility fueled by monetary instability and substantial exchange rate distortions keeps Zimbabwe’s economic activity below its potential.

Inflationary pressures remain high in 2024 as local currency depreciation intensifies. In February 2024, annual inflation increased for the fourth consecutive month, reflecting the sharp depreciation of the local currency at both the official and parallel foreign exchange markets. Annual inflation increased from 26.5% in December 2023 to 47.6% in February 2024. The official exchange rate depreciated by 788% in 2023, with the parallel market premium estimated at 30% as of February 2024.

Fiscal pressures increased in 2023 ahead of national elections and the transfer of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ) external liabilities to the treasury. The government increased civil servants’ salaries in foreign and local currency. The Treasury took over the servicing of debt of $1.8 billion in external liabilities from RBZ. Meanwhile, some of the revenue proposals in the 2024 budget have been reversed, casting doubt on the credibility of the budget. Nevertheless, the implemented taxes, like the sugar tax, have led to increased prices. The current account surplus narrowed in 2023 as remittances from non-governmental organizations contracted.

Real GDP growth is projected to slow further to 3.3% in 2024, partly reflecting the impact of structural bottlenecks, macroeconomic instability (high inflation and severe exchange rate volatility), an El Niño-related drought, and lower commodity prices. El-Nino-induced drought will affect most rain-fed crops and may intensify electricity supply shortages. Nevertheless, continued increases in remittances will help to stimulate growth in services (wholesale and retail trade) and construction. Inflationary pressures will intensify in 2024, given drought conditions and domestic tax increases. The fiscal deficit will increase in 2024, driven by high-interest payments on external debt, drought mitigation-related spending, wage pressures, and the reversal of several budget revenue measures. The fiscal deficit is projected to reach 2.5% of GDP in 2024 before slowing to under 2% in the medium term. The current account surplus is expected to shrink further, reflecting increased imports in the face of drought conditions and lower commodity prices.

Key Developmental Challenges

Although extreme poverty has declined since its peak in 2020, it remains high in the context of cyclical agricultural production and elevated food prices. Persistent inflation, high dependence on low-productivity agriculture, slow structural transformation, and intermittent shocks like drought, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the high rate of poverty and vulnerability in Zimbabwe. High, unsustainable debt and arrears to international financial institutions (IFIs) limit fiscal space and growth potential.

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2024

World Bank Group (WBG) assistance to Zimbabwe totaled $1.6 billion between 1980 and 2000. While Zimbabwe is in arrears, the WBG has remained fully engaged through financing from the global trust funds and the  Country’s Multi-Donor Trust Fund, the Zimbabwe Reconstruction Fund  (ZIMREF), renamed the Zimbabwe Socio-Economic Transformation (ZISET) Fund.   ZIMREF (established in 2014) raised $52 million and has supported the World Bank’s primary engagement in Zimbabwe.

ZISET, with a closing date of March 2028, will support Zimbabwe under two pillars: (1) ensuring socio-economic stability and (2) building resilience.  Three thematic arears will guide the implementation.

1.     Promoting private sector-led growth will prioritize the growth and the jobs agenda.  Activities include addressing bottlenecks in the business environment (e.g., licensing) and in enabling sectors (renewable energy, digital) to strengthen the regulatory environment and institutional capacities.

2.     Enhancing real sector competitiveness and investment, seeks to increase competitiveness of high-growth potential sub-sectors like horticulture and tourism and promote investment in specific agricultural value chains with high competitiveness and revealed comparative advantages.

3.     Establishment of building blocks of a social registry system and an immediate focus on the design and implementation of the social impact mitigation program to complement critical subsidy reform.  

ZISET is supplemented by other trust funds which fund sector-specific activities. The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Trust Fund (HEPRT), and the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) Trust Funds provided a grant of $6.6 million to the  Zimbabwe COVID-19 Emergency Response Project  (ZCERP) to deploy and manage  COVID-19 vaccines and to strengthen related health system capacity. Additional financing ($15 million) funded by the Global Financing Facility (GFF) for essential health services was approved and incorporated into ZCERP. The Health Sector Development Project funded by the GFF (additional financing of $25 million) recently closed in March 2024.

Following Cyclone Idai in March 2019, the WBG provided an exceptional allocation of $72 million from the Crisis Response Window of the International Development Association (IDA) for the   Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project  (ZIRP), which aimed to address stages of the early recovery and medium-term disaster recovery for people affected by the cyclone. The ZIRP responded to Cyclone Idai’s disproportionate effects on eastern Zimbabwe’s poorest and most vulnerable. It maintained a strong focus on poverty reduction by integrating local financial stabilization into its activities through the provision of otherwise costly food and social services, the restoration and generation of livelihoods, as well as sustainable infrastructure and resilience to future disasters. The project closed in June 2023.

The  International Finance Corporation (IFC)  provides technical assistance to various activities, including expanding access to agricultural sector finance and enhancing Victoria Falls's competitiveness as a tourism destination, through the  Zimbabwe Destination Development Program (ZDDP).  The ZDDP focused on strategic air access, destination management, marketing, policy, and SME support in Victoria Falls, the country’s primary tourism destination. In 2023, Victoria Falls increased its air capacity by 5% over 2019, 15% ahead of the sub-Saharan average.

Through Advisory Services and analytical work, the WBG has developed key diagnostics to contribute to the development agenda. Recent products include:

·       Zimbabwe Country Economic Memorandum

·       Zimbabwe Poverty Assessment ,

·       Zimbabwe Economic Update

·       Country Climate Development Report

·       Country Private Sector Diagnostic

·         Zimbabwe Gender assessment

·       Gender-Based Violence (GBV) assessment.

·       Mapping and Valuing Ecosystem Services in Zimbabwe

Investment climate reform programs led by IFC have also yielded significant policy, legislative, and regulatory reforms, including such foundational laws as a new Companies Act, an Insolvency Law, and laws to create a Commercial Court.    This analytical work   has advanced the understanding of policy and institution gaps and set blueprints for progress. Many WBG recommendations – including on private sector development, public sector systems, and human capital – have been included in the government’s National Development Strategy (NDS1).  

Analytical work in Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector has been focused on policy dialogue, production enhancement, and climate resilience. Ongoing policy dialogue has focused on strategic policy actions and climate investments designed to fortify the resilience of the agri-food sector against environmental challenges. To enhance productive capacity and market resilience, a sectoral deep dive note was produced on five critical agricultural value chains—sugar, maize, horticulture (with an emphasis on macadamia), cotton, and livestock (with a focus on dairy). The culmination of these sector-specific analyses led to the creation of a comprehensive Guide Note on drafting agricultural investment prospectuses. This tool led to the development of an Agriculture Investment Factsheet and detailed Investment Prospectus by the Ministry of Agriculture, which will serve as a cornerstone to attract investment and foster sector growth.

In response to the devastating loss of nearly 300,000 cattle to feed scarcity and tick-borne diseases, World Bank technical assistance pivoted towards fostering resilient and responsible livestock development. This includes championing One Health approaches and exploring innovative avenues like insect-based food and feed solutions. Zimbabwe is at the forefront of pioneering work on insects for food, feed, and fertilizer, with pilot projects in the Tongogara refugee camp and cyclone-impacted regions of Manicaland through ZIRP. This emerging field contributes to a circular economy and offers a sustainable pathway to bolstering food security and livelihoods in the face of environmental challenges.

Despite a challenging operating context, the  Zimbabwe Reconstruction Fund  (ZIMREF)  has been pivotal in supporting legislative reforms and early reform implementation.

• Financial Management:  ZIMREF helped to strengthen the public procurement framework, improve the coverage and reporting of internal and external audits, and improve Parliamentary and civil society oversight.  Forty-six government funds started using Public Financial Management Systems (PFMS) against a target of 10. The Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS) was successfully rolled out to 63 districts by setting up district kiosks.
• Poverty Monitoring:  ZIMREF assisted the Government in monitoring poverty outcomes and their integration into national strategy and planning documents.  This included financing of the 2017 Poverty, Income, Consumption and Expenditure Survey (PICES), release of the 2017 poverty report, and publication of poverty microdata for 2017 and 2019.
• Human Capital:  ZIMREF has also supported the establishment of a basic social protection Management Information System (MIS), which is the basis for a social registry system.
• Water Supply:  ZIMREF strengthened the Zimbabwe National Water Authority and the regulatory framework in the sector increased access to piped water for 34,810 people (74% more people than the target) and provided installations of new water connections for 1,265 households in three growth points (Guruve, Lupane, and Zimunya).
• Climate Change: ZIMREF helped develop Zimbabwe’s climate policies, its pipeline of climate adaptation, and its mainstreaming of climate changes in investment planning.

The  Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project  (ZIRP)  closed in June 2023, meeting or exceeding all planned recovery and reconstruction targets. The project achieved the following:

• 661,692 people, including 3,611 Internally Displaced People (IDP), were provided with integrated health services, and coverage in hard-to-reach areas was extended through the training of 2,843 Village Health Workers (VHWs).
• Food assistance interventions reached 239,324 beneficiaries within the affected communities.
• 12,111 GBV survivors benefited from the Project, receiving survivor-centered health services and comprehensive legal and psychosocial support.
• 47km of community roads were rehabilitated as well as seven cyclone damaged community schools, three community health facilities and one agro-market all using revised design and build back better standards.
• 482 water systems and 3,789 sanitation facilities were rehabilitated and restored, reaching 44,106 households.
• 88,516 cyclone-affected students were supported with education supplies
• Six irrigation schemes were rehabilitated with substantial advisory and extension support services provided to over 10,000 farmers.
• Two new community radio stations were established to disseminate early warning information in the two affected districts, Chimanimani and Chipinge

The  Health Sector Development Project  has increased coverage and quality of an integrated package of Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, Adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH-N) services and also has accelerated progress in the National COVID-19 Response, providing technical assistance and dialogue at the national level on response and vaccine deployment. The project has achieved the following:

•  Provided more than 1 million women antenatal care services, consisting of at least one visit a year to a supported facility.
• At least 92% of births (for those who booked) have been attended by skilled health personnel in participating rural districts, benefiting an estimated 1.5 million women.
• Improved the quality of care at health facilities in terms of structure and process, with average scores (awarded by patients) ranging between 80% and 85% to compare favorably with previous averages that fell below 70%. At least 54% of the health facilities registered an increase in quality scores since the previous quarter at the end of December 2022.
• From its inception in 2014 to date, over 81,000 women were enrolled into an urban voucher component of the RBF program, which played a critical role in strengthening the urban health systems and improving access to maternity services for the urban poor in Harare and Bulawayo Metropolitan Provinces.   
• The Urban Voucher initiative was scaled up to cover 35 health facilities in Harare and Bulawayo which has helped to improve access to more vulnerable women and children with increasing urban poverty levels exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• The Results Based Financing (RBF) Program’s impact evaluation confirmed the approach resulted in faster rates of improvements in key maternal and child health indicators, for example, a 13% improvement in the in-facility delivery rate and a 12% improvement in postnatal care in RBF districts, compared to those that have not yet started the approach.

The World Bank Group works with a variety of partners in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Socio-Economic Transformation Trust Fund is supported by the United Kingdom (FCDO), Canada and Norway.

CORDAID implements the health projects while UNOPS working with eight other UN Agencies implemented the Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project.

The African Development Bank supports the country portfolio through the Kariba Dam Rehabilitation Project that is implemented through Zambia.

History of the Bank's work in Zimbabwe

• Annual Report 2022

Zimbabwe: Commitments by Fiscal Year (in millions of dollars)*

The world bank does not have any recent lending to zimbabwe. please view the full lending portfolio, around the bank group.

Find out what the Bank Group's branches are doing in Zimbabwe.

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The 10 Best Places to Visit in Zimbabwe

Wolfgang_Steiner/ Getty Images 

For many years,  Zimbabwe ’s reputation as a travel destination has been tainted by the specter of political unrest. However, the country is more stable now than it has been for decades, and slowly, tourism is returning. Most of Zimbabwe’s top attractions are found outside the main cities, and are therefore considered relatively safe. Those that decide to visit can expect breathtaking nature areas, exotic wildlife and ancient sites that offer a fascinating insight into the continent’s history. Best of all, Zimbabwe’s world-class game reserves and UNESCO World Heritage Sites remain incredibly uncrowded — giving you the truly thrilling sense of having stepped off the map. Here are 10 of the best places to visit on your Zimbabwe adventure. 

Hwange National Park

Located to the west of the country on the border with Botswana , Hwange National Park is the oldest and largest of Zimbabwe’s game reserves. It covers a vast expanse of around 5,655 square miles/14,650 square kilometers and provides a refuge for over 100 species of mammal - including the Big Five . It is most famous for its elephants — in fact, the Hwange elephant population is thought to be one of the largest in the world. The park is also home to some of Africa’s rarest safari animals, including the African wild dog, the brown hyena and the critically endangered black rhino. Birdlife is abundant here, with over 400 species recorded within the park. Accommodation in Hwange National Park ranges from luxury lodges located in their own private concessions, to rustic camps that offer the chance to spend a night under canvas in the heart of the African bush. 

Victoria Falls

In Zimbabwe’s far west corner, the Zambezi River marks the border with Zambia. At Victoria Falls , it plunges off a precipice measuring 354 feet/108 meters in height and 5,604 feet/1,708 meters in width. This is the largest sheet of falling water on the planet, and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World . In peak flood season (February to May), the spray thrown up by the plunging water can be seen from 30 miles/48 kilometers away. This magnificent spectacle gives the falls its indigenous name —  Mosi-oa-Tunya , or "The Smoke That Thunders". On the Zimbabwean side, a path winds its way along the edge of the gorge. Viewpoints offer breathtaking panoramas of the plummeting water and the rainbows that hang suspended above the chasm. The sound is deafening and the spray soaks to the skin - but the spectacle is one that can never be forgotten. 

Lake Kariba

Northeast of Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River feeds into Lake Kariba , another superlative body of water located on the Zambian border. Created after the construction of the Kariba Dam in 1959, Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake in terms of volume. It stretches for over 140 miles/220 kilometers in length, and measures 25 miles/40 kilometers across at its widest point. There are several lodges located along the lake shores, but the traditional way to explore is on a houseboat. Kariba is renowned as one of the best places in the world to catch tiger fish, a ferocious freshwater species prized by sport fishermen for its strength and tenacity. The lake’s islands also offer ample opportunities for game viewing. Perhaps the most rewarding wildlife area is Matusadona National Park , located on Kariba’s southern shore. 

Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park is located in the far north of the country, and is renowned as one of the most pristine nature areas in Zimbabwe. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its incredible concentrations of wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, leopard and cheetah . Mana Pools is also a haven for water-based wildlife, with large populations of hippo and Nile crocodile. They live in the four pools that give the park its name, each one created by the Zambezi River before it altered its course to flow northward. The largest of these is approximately 3.7 miles/6 kilometers long and provides a valuable source of water even in the height of the dry season . The abundance of water makes this park a prime spot for birders, too. It’s also the best destination in the country for walking safaris and self-sufficient camping trips. 

If you find yourself craving urban culture, pay a visit to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second-largest city (after the capital, Harare). Founded in the mid 19th-century by Ndebele king Lobhengula, the city came under the rule of the British South Africa Company during the Matebele War . As a result, much of the city’s present-day architecture dates back to the colonial era, and walking through the wide, jacaranda-lined streets feels a lot like stepping back in time. Top attractions in Bulawayo include the Natural History Museum , home of taxidermied safari animals and rarities including a dodo egg and a prehistoric coelacanth fish. It is possible to encounter living African animals at Chipangali Widlife Orphanage , located a short drive southeast of the city. Medieval replica Nesbitt Castle adds to Bulawayo’s atmosphere of eccentric history and doubles as a boutique hotel.

Great Zimbabwe National Monument

A four-hour drive south of Harare or east of Bulawayo will take you to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument , another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site protects the remains of Great Zimbabwe, the capital of the historic Kingdom of Zimbabwe and the most important stone ruins south of the Sahara. Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, the ruins cover a vast area and include a hilltop acropolis that would once have housed kings and chiefs. The surrounding valley is littered with the ruins of more humble dwellings, all of which were built using granite blocks cut so perfectly that no mortar was needed to hold them together. Artifacts including Arab coins from the East African coast and porcelain from China have been discovered here, suggesting that Great Zimbabwe was once a wealthy and powerful center of trade.

Matobo National Park

Matobo National Park is located 25 miles/40 kilometers south of Bulawayo. The park’s name means “Bald Heads” in the local Ndebele language — a moniker that refers to its fascinating granite rock formations. Some of these rocks are impossibly balanced on top of one another, and many of them are marked with ancient rock art created by the San bushmen some 2,000 years ago. Cecil Rhodes , the controversial 19th-century imperialist, chose to be buried here, and his remains are marked by a brass plaque perched atop World’s View, the park’s most iconic viewpoint. Matobo National Park is a top destination for hikers and those hoping to see white and black rhino. Although there are no lion or elephant, it has one of the largest leopard populations in Southern Africa and is a great place to spot Verreaux’s eagles.

Chimanimani National Park

On the eastern border with Mozambique , mountainous Chimanimani National Park is a place of stunning natural beauty. The perfect destination for those wishing to hike, camp and lose themselves in the Zimbabwean wilderness, the park is defined by plunging gorges, lush valleys and soaring peaks. The highest summits reach over 7,990 feet/2,400 meters. The lower reaches of the park are covered by dense virgin forest, which in turn provides shelter for elusive wildlife including eland, sable and blue duiker antelope. Leopard roam free in the Chimanimani mountains and the birdlife is spectacular. This is also a good place to keep an eye out for Southern Africa’s smaller cat species . Amenities in the park include unpaved hiking trails, communal huts and a campsite with basic cooking and ablution facilities. Wild camping is also allowed throughout the park. 

Christopher Scott/ Getty Images

Also located in the far east of the country, Mutare is Zimbabwe's fourth-largest city; yet has a laid-back atmosphere inspired by its scenic highland setting. It's known for its charming guesthouses and B&Bs, including popular budget option Ann Bruce Backpackers . Old-fashioned Mutare Museum is a must-visit for transport enthusiasts with a notable collection of vintage cars, motorbikes and steam engines. For nature lovers, Bvumba Botanical Reserve promises breathtaking views and walkways that give you the chance to look out for rare fauna including the Swynnerton's Robin and the endemic Samango monkey. For many people, Mutare's greatest worth is as a base for exploring the Bvumba Mountains or nearby Nyanga National Park. Overlanders appreciate its location a few minutes' drive from the Mozambique border post.

Chinhoyi Caves

Roger de la Harpe/ Getty Images

North central Zimbabwe is home to the mysterious Chinhoyi Caves. A subterranean system of limestone and dolomite caverns and tunnels, the caves are protected as park of Chinhoyi Caves National Park . Pottery and human remains uncovered here suggest that they have been inhabited since at least the 1st century. Most famously, they provided a refuge from raiding tribes for Mashona chief Chinhoyi and his people. The top attraction is the Wonder Hole, a collapsed cavern with sheer walls that drop into the crystalline Sleeping Pool. The glacial blue color of the lake's water makes for impressive photographs, and from here, visitors can enter the illuminated Dark Cave. Chinhoyi is a popular destination for technical scuba divers. Excursions can be arranged through Harare-based dive center Scubaworld & Universal Adventures .

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• The Culture Of Zimbabwe

The landlocked southern African nation of Zimbabwe hosts a population of 14,030,368 individuals. The country has a rich tradition and culture that reflects the ethnic diversity of its population.

7. Ethnicity, Language, and Religion of Zimbabwe

The Shona and the Ndebele are the largest ethnic groups residing in the country. English, Shona, and Ndebele are the official languages of Zimbabwe. Around 13 minority languages have also been given the official status. Most Zimbabweans adhere to Christianity with the majority being Protestant Christians.

6. Cuisine of Zimbabwe

Cornmeal is a staple of the Zimbabwean diet. It is used to make the porridge-like bota which is flavored with peanut butter or butter and had for breakfast. Sadza is also prepared from cornmeal and consumed for lunch or dinner. It is also similar to bota but thicker. Sadza is served with vegetables, meat, and beans. Meat can be stewed, roasted, grilled, or sundried. Boerewors, a type of pork or beef sausage, is eaten frequently. Chicken and rice meals are also widely consumed. Braaied (barbecued) meat is popular during celebrations. The influence of the British colonization can still be observed in the culinary habits of the Zimbabweans. They have tea at midday and the 4 o'clock tea as well. Occasionally, they also have tea after dinner.

5. Clothing in Zimbabwe

Today, most Zimbabweans wear modern, western-style clothing. Traditional clothes are worn on a daily-basis by only a small section of the population. Such dresses vary between ethnic groups. Usually, the dresses have bright colors and tribal patterns. Elaborate tribal headgears are often worn. Bright and showy beaded ornaments also accompany such dresses.

4. Literature and the Arts in Zimbabwe

Although Zimbabwe has a rich and age-old heritage of oral literature, written literary works were absent for most of the country’s ancient history. It only developed after colonization of the land by the Europeans and the spread of the modern form of education in the country. The oral literature comprised of folk tales and legends, war stories and poems, heroic epics, historical accounts, etc. Many of the early writers of Zimbabwe made great efforts to produce the oral literature in the published form to preserve the country’s history and culture for the future generations. Today, Zimbabwean writers and poets explore various literary genres and produce publications that are often praised internationally.

Traditional crafts in Zimbabwe include basketry, carving, jewelry, pottery, etc. Stools carved from a single piece of wood and woven baskets with symmetrical patterns are among the most famous handicrafts of the country. The sculptures made by the Shona people have earned worldwide fame. These sculptures are made of soapstone or other harder igneous rocks.

3. Performance Arts in Zimbabwe

The music scene of Zimbabwe is rich and varied. It ranges from folk music to pop and rock. Music has played a very significant role in the history of the country. Some of the traditional instruments used to produce the folk music of the country include hosho, ngoma drums, and mbira. Music has always been an integral part of the religious rites of the Zimbabweans and often used to call on ancestral spirits. Music also played an important role in portraying the people’s desire for freedom from colonial rule. Zimbabwean jazz, sungura, Tuku music, Chimurenga music, etc., are some of the most popular musical genres in Zimbabwe.

2. Sports in Zimbabwe

Football is the most popular sport in the country. It is played both professionally and informally in the cities and villages throughout the nation. The national football team of Zimbabwe has won several international championships like the Southern Africa championship. Rugby and cricket are also popular sports played in Zimbabwe. The national rugby and cricket teams are quite successful. Other games played in the country include volleyball, netball, water polo, chess, cycling, squash, swimming, horse racing, kayaking, etc.

1. Life in the Zimbabwean Society

Although the Constitution of the country grants equal rights to both men and women, gender-based discrimination in the country is not uncommon. There are complaints that the law of the country is often more in favor of men than women, especially in areas of inheritance, marriage, and the conditions of part-time work. Although a significant section of the women in urban areas receive education and enter the workforce, those in rural areas are still confined to the traditional roles. Although both men and women take part in agricultural activities in the villages, women are also expected to perform the household chores and take care of the children. In urban areas, a significant percentage of women participate in the workforce. However, men predominate in the political and administrative fields.

Marriages in Zimbabwe are based on both individual choice and family arrangements. However, the former is growing in popularity. Polygamous marriages are not uncommon but are gradually decreasing in number due to the higher costs of maintaining more wives and children. Most ethnic groups are associated with patrilocal residence where the bride moves in with the husband’s family. Matrilocal residence can be seen in the case of the Tonga people. In urban areas, nuclear families are more common. Brideprice is usually paid by the groom to the bride’s family in exchange of their daughter. Divorces are not encouraged and often viewed as a stigma, especially for women.

Households vary in size from extended in rural areas to nuclear in the urban areas. In polygynous families, each wife lives with her children in a small dwelling within a large compound owned by the husband. Men usually rule the household. The eldest person in the family is also highly respected and his or her words are regarded as wise. A woman gathers respect as she ages and through her children. Inheritance is patrilineal in most cases and the property passes from the father to the sons.

Children are the primary responsibility of the mother. Other female relatives including older sisters also participate in childcare. Since children in the large Zimbabwean households are rarely alone, they learn social values, customs, and rituals from their family and community members from an early age. Gender-based tasks are taught to the girls and boys from the age of about seven or eight.

Education is valued but quality education is more easily accessible in urban than in rural areas. Also, fewer girls than boys receive the opportunity to complete school.

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Presentation: Zimbabwe National Development Strategy (NDS1) - Integrating the 2030 Agenda, Ms. Judith Kaulem, Poverty Reduction Forum Trust

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Zimbabwe summary

Zimbabwe , officially Republic of Zimbabwe formerly Rhodesia , Landlocked country, southern Africa. Area: 150,871 sq mi (390,757 sq km). Population: (2024 est.) 15,706,000. Capital: Harare. The Shona make up more than two-thirds of the population; most of the rest are Ndebele, Chewa, and people of European ancestry. Languages: Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangaan, Shona, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa (all official). Religions: Christianity (other [mostly independent] Christians, Protestant, Roman Catholic), traditional beliefs. Currency: Zimbabwe dollar. A broad ridge running southwest-northeast, reaching elevations of 4,000–5,000 ft (1,200–1,500 m), dominates Zimbabwe’s landscape. The Zambezi River forms the country’s northwestern boundary and contains Victoria Falls as well as the Kariba Dam (completed 1959); Lake Kariba, created by the dam, covers some 2,000 sq mi (5,200 sq km). The Limpopo and Save river basins are in the southeast. Agricultural products, livestock, and mineral reserves, including gold, are all economically important. It is a unitary republic with two legislative houses; the head of state and government is the president. Remains of Stone Age cultures dating to 500,000 years ago have been found in the area. The first Bantu-speaking peoples reached Zimbabwe during the 5th–10th centuries ce , driving the San inhabitants into the desert. A second migration of Bantu speakers began c. 1830. During that period the British and Afrikaners moved up from the south, and the area came under the administration of the British South Africa Company (1889–1923). Called Southern Rhodesia (1911–64), it became a self-governing British colony in 1923. The colony united in 1953 with Nyasaland (Malawi) and Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) to form the Central African Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The federation dissolved in 1963, and Southern Rhodesia reverted to its former colonial status. In 1965 it issued a unilateral declaration of independence considered illegal by the British government, which led to economic sanctions against it. The country, which proclaimed itself a republic in 1970, called itself Rhodesia from 1964 to 1979. In 1979 it instituted limited majority rule and changed its name to Zimbabwe Rhodesia. It was granted independence by Britain in 1980 and became Zimbabwe. A multiparty system was established in 1990. The economy began to experience a decline in the 1990s that accelerated dramatically in the 2000s. In 2008 long-simmering political tensions between the ruling party and the opposition led to a hotly contested presidential election that sparked a protracted political crisis and exacerbated the country’s economic troubles and deteriorating health and welfare conditions. An agreement for a power-sharing government, reached in September 2008, was implemented in February 2009. A new constitution was promulgated in 2013. The country’s leader since independence, Robert Mugabe , stepped down under pressure in 2017.

UN assessment report outlines development challenges, opportunities in Zimbabwe

The CCA covered five Ps of sustainable development, namely: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships.

The UN has recently published the Common Country Assessment (CCA) report which was commissioned to determine the scope of development cooperation with the Government of Zimbabwe for the next five years – 2022 to 2026.

The assessment report pointed out that recurrent humanitarian crises continue to impede Zimbabwe’s progress towards the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development. The CCA findings also noted that Zimbabwe made remarkable progress in the first decade of independence with quantum improvements in social wellbeing, while registering a decline in some socio-economic indicators, largely due to prolonged periods of economic recession, political challenges, and recurrent climate-induced humanitarian crises.

“The CCA provides an analytical snapshot of the dynamics of development in the country to inform the programmatic priorities for the UN in Zimbabwe in support of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and the National Development Strategy 2021-2025,” said Ms. Maria Ribeiro, UN Resident Coordinator.

The CCA covered five Ps of sustainable development, namely: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships. The CCA makes recommendations to inform development strategies:

“The pathway to the goal of transformative change embodied in several key policy instruments of the Government of Zimbabwe such as Vision 2030 and the NDS1 requires an increased and intensive focus on socio-economic and political empowerment. Socio-economic and political empowerment in turn, requires the strengthening of human capabilities and the generation of sustainable economic opportunities, while harnessing innovation to accelerate attainment of the SDGs,” the document reads.

In order to build long-term resilience among the most vulnerable populations and avoid pushing them further behind, the CCA recommends that there should be a focus on strengthening systems and catalysing collaborative and transformative partnerships, not only with the Government but also with critical players including development partners, local authorities, the private sector, civil society, and communities.

To enable economic transformation, equitable and inclusive growth, the CCA points as priority the need for collaboration in strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), deepening value chains and reinforcing the nexus between employment and economic growth while catalysing investments in infrastructure and green investments is fundamental to sustained economic growth and poverty reduction.

This would involve supporting the country’s plans in areas of agriculture, value addition and beneficiation of key value chains and linkages and improving the mining fiscal framework, among other actions.

In terms of governance, the CCA notes that working with the Government and all partners to strengthen the capacity of key governance institutions to promote dialogue and citizen participation, fight corruption, and deliver equitable justice and public services will be vital to anchor foundations for transformative and sustainable development.

Read the CCA Report 

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