Ishe Komborera Africa

This was Zimbabwe's first anthem after gaining independence in 1980. It is a translation of 19th century South African schoolteacher Enoch Sontonga's popular African hymn Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika (God Bless Africa) into Zimbabwe's native Shona and Ndebele languages.^[1]

It was replaced as the national anthem of Zimbabwe in 1994 by Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe (Blessed be the land of Zimbabwe), but remains very popular in the country.^[2]

Shona Words

Ishekomborera Africa
Ngaisimudzirwe zita rayo
Inzwai miteuro yedu
Ishe komborera,
Isu, mhuri yayo.
Huya mweya
Huya mweya komborera
(repeat previous two lines)
Huya mweya
Huya mweya woutsvene
Uti komborere
Isu mhuri yayo.

English Words

God bless Africa,
Let her fame spread far and wide!
Hear our prayer,
May God bless us!
Come, Spirit, come!
Come! Holy Spirit!
Come and bless us, her children!

References