Zimbabwe was formerly known as Southern Rhodesia when it was under British colonial rule. Zimbabwe formally changed its name to Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980, as the international community recognized it after it attained its independence. This alteration signaled the termination of almost a century of colonial powers and white minority rule in the Southern African region.
The end of the 19th century should be mentioned as one of the periods when one should look to comprehend the history of this nation. The land was named Cecil John Rhodes, the British businessman and political leader who established the British South Africa Company (BSAC). Rhodesia was the term that was given to describe a large territory which is known today as Zimbabwe and its northern neighbor, Zambia.
What was the old name of Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe used to be called Southern Rhodesia (1923-1953 and 1964-1979), Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1953-63), and just Rhodesia (1965-1979). It was also temporarily referred to as Zimbabwe Rhodesia in 1979 and changed its name to Republic of Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980.
Zimbabwe: Key Facts at a Glance
The following are some of the key facts about Zimbabwe in form of short notes which is very helpful for students and general readers to grasp the topic easily.
| Category | Details |
| Colonial Founder | Cecil Rhodes |
| Named After | Cecil Rhodes (territory named in 1895) |
| Northern Rhodesia | Transformed into Zambia |
| Southern Rhodesia | Transformed into Zimbabwe |
| Independence Date | 18th April, 1980 |
| First Prime Minister | Robert Mugabe |
| Meaning of Zimbabwe | Based on Shona: Dzimba-dza-mabwe meaning "Houses of Stone" |
| Currency Change | Rhodesian Dollar changed to Zimbabwe Dollar in 1980 |
Why was Zimbabwe called Rhodesia?
Rhodesia was literally named in honor of Cecil Rhodes, a company that colonized the region during the 1890s. The territory was ruled by the British government through a royal charter administered by the British South Africa Company. In 1895, Rhodesia was renamed the official name of the region.
In 1898, the region to the south of Zambezi River was officially named Southern Rhodesia. The title was indicative of the political and economic superiority of the British South Africa Company. In 1923, the company was replaced by the British crown as the direct administration and Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing colony.
Southern Rhodesia to Zimbabwe: How the Change Happened?
The way to the modern name was a laborious route, which entailed several political changes. The colony was a member of Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland between 1953 and 1963. Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi) were part of this federation. At the time of dissolution of the federation, the Northern Rhodesia became independent as Zambia.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
In 1965, the then white minority government under Ian Smith made a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI). They renamed the country Rhodesia, so to be independent of the British. However this state was not recognized by the United Nations and the United Kingdom. The name Zimbabwe Rhodesia was briefly applied in 1979 when a transitional government applied to the name following years of civil war and negotiation. Complete independence came in 1980 as Zimbabwe.
What does the name Zimbabwe mean?
Zimbabwe was named after the pre-colonial history of the African people of the area. It refers to the Great Zimbabwe, an enormous stone city, constructed in the 11th -15th centuries. The term Zimbabwe is derived from the Shona language where “Dzimba” translates to houses and “mabwe” to stones.
This is a name that is used as a representation of the native heritage and architectural designs of the country. Using this name was a deliberate move to replace the colonial identity tied to Cecil Rhodes with an African identity.
Southern Rhodesia to Zimbabwe: Timeline of Name Changes
The following table outlines the various official names used for the territory over the last century.
| Period | Official Name | Political Status |
| 1895 – 1923 | Rhodesia / BSAC Territory | Company Rule |
| 1923 – 1953 | Southern Rhodesia | British Self-Governing Colony |
| 1953 – 1963 | Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland | British Colonial Federation |
| 1964 – 1965 | Southern Rhodesia | British Colony |
| 1965 – 1979 | Rhodesia | Unrecognized Independent State |
| 1979 | Zimbabwe Rhodesia | Transitional Government |
| 1980 – Present | Republic of Zimbabwe | Independent Republic |
What was the name of Zimbabwe before 1980?
Before 1980, the name of Zimbabwe was Southern Rhodesia. It was to honour Cecil Rhodes, a British imperialist and businessman, the founder of De Beers mining company.
When was Rhodesia made Zimbabwe?
On April 18, 1980, Rhodesia became officially Zimbabwe. This was after the Lancaster House Agreement and the ensuing general elections. The incident was characterized by a colossal celebration in the capital city, Harare, which also changed its colonial name, Salisbury, in 1982.
Zimbabwe’s old name Southern Rhodesia is a reminder of its colonial history, and the current name is a tribute to the Stone Houses at Great Zimbabwe which reflects the indigenous pride of the country.
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