Flags of the World - Zimbabwe Blog Post

Mhoro! I am StJohn Wright from Notarial Services (Yorkshire & Derbyshire) Limited, practicing as StJohn Wright Notary Public. Welcome to the tenth blog post about ‘Flags of the World’: this week the blog post is about Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, there are two major ethnic groups with 16 different languages, including English, Shona and Sindebele. The country is landlocked, which makes it harder for the country to trade than some of its neighbours. Zimbabwe has eight different currencies in operation and is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you would like your child to explore such a fascinating place with a member of your family (without you going), then you may require a notarised document which legalises your consent for your child to travel abroad. If this is you, please do not hesitate to contact me via the methods at the bottom of this blog post.

Between 1200 and 1600s, there was the rise and fall of the Monomotapa domain, which was thought to have been involved in gold mining and international trade. In the 1830s, the Ndebele people fled the Zulu violence and there was Boer migration in present-day South Africa where they moved north to settle in what becomes known as Matabeleland. In 1830-1890s, European hunters and traders explore the region from the South, and in 1889, Rhodes’ British South Africa Company obtains a British mandate to colonise what becomes Southern Rhodesia, known as modern-day Zimbabwe. In 1890, the pioneer column of European settlers arrives from the south at the site of the future capital, Harare. In 1922, the British South Africa Company collapses, with the white minority opting for a self-government. In 1930, the Land Apportionment Act restricts the black majority’s access to land, which forces many people into wage labour. Between the 1930s and the 1960s, the black opposition to the colonial rule grew. However, Britain keeps control within the area in 1953, when it created the Central African Federation made up of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi). This federation broke down in 1963 when Zambia and Malawi gained independence.

In 1964, Ian Smith of the Rhodesian Front became prime minister, and tried to persuade Britain to grant independence. Of which he succeeded, because in 1965, Smith declared independence from the white minority rule. However, this sparked international outrage and economic sanctions. In 1972, the Guerrilla war against the white minority rule intensified with many people from the communities taking up weapons against the government. In 1979, the British-brokered all-party talks lead to a peace agreement and a new constitution guaranteeing minority rights. In 1980, the Zanu leader Robert Mugabe won the independence elections. In 1999, the economic crisis was worsened by Zimbabwe’s unpopular military involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s civil war. In 2006, it became clear that year-on-year inflation was exceeding 1000%, with new banknotes being worth three less zeros that what it showed. In 2017, Emmerson Mnangagwa became president. In 2019, protests began in major cities after the government more than doubles fuel prices to tackle shortages and the black market.

The national flower of Zimbabwe is the Flame Lily: its flower shape resembles a blazing crown, with fiery petals what act like dancing flames in a yellow throat, and it is formed in bright, moist, and warm conditions. The national animal of Zimbabwe is the Sable. This is a small, omnivorous mammal that inhabits dense forests; they are particularly known for their luxurious fur.

The traditional drink of Zimbabwe (and other countries of Central Africa) is Tobwa, which is where you make boiling water with whole grain white maize flour until it makes porridge. More water is then added and brought to the boil for 15 minutes. After this the mixture is left to cool until it’s warm, at which point, the millet flour is added. The national food of Zimbabwe is Sadza, which is a stiff maize meal that is like a thickened porridge. It can be rolled into a ball and dipped into meat, sauce, gravy, sour milk, or stewed vegetables.

Do you require a Power of Attorney? If so, look no further than myself, because I can provide all the information about how to complete this legal document every step of the way. Just give me a call on the number below so I can discuss with you how we will approach this.

To conclude, I am a Notary, who has been practicing for 16 years, and I would urge you to get into contact with me if you require any of the services that I have mentioned in this blog post. Please see my website (Notary in Sheffield | England | StJohn Wright Notary Public) to find out more about me and what I can do to help you. Also, do not hesitate to call me on 07863252272.

Thank you for reading this tenth blog post on the ‘Flags of the World’. Look out for the next one about Cyprus! Sara Mushe!

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