"Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" started to become popular in South Africa in 1923 as a Christian hymn. It became a closing hymn for African National Congress (ANC) meetings and later became a symbolic song for black struggle against the Apartheid regime. Its popularity spread across Africa through churches, and the tune became associated with African nationalism movements across the continent, particularly in East and Southern Africa. Following the passing of the Zambia Independence Act 1964 in the Parliament of the United Kingdom, enacting Zambia's independence from the United Kingdom, "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" was adopted as the national anthem of Zambia, replacing "God Save the Queen", the anthem of Northern Rhodesia.
"Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free" is the national anthem of Zambia. The tune is taken from the hymn "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" (English: "Lord Bless Africa"), which was composed by Xhosa composer Enoch Sontonga, in 1897. The lyrics were composed after Zambian independence to specifically reflect Zambia, as opposed to Sontonga's lyrics, which refer to Africa as a whole.
The National Anthem of Zimbabwe, also known by its incipit in Shona, "Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe" (English: "Raise our flag of Zimbabwe"), and the final line of each verse in Ndebele, "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe" (English: "Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe"), was introduced in March 1994 after a nationwide competition to replace the South African-derived "Ishe Komborera Africa" with a distinctly Zimbabwean song. The winning entry was a Shona song written by Professor Solomon Mutswairo and composed by Fred Changundega. It was translated into English and Ndebele, the two other main languages of Zimbabwe. The Ndebele version is mainly sung in the Matebeleland regions of Zimbabwe, while the English version is not commonly sung. Some schools in Matabeleland South have introduced the Sotho/Tswana version.
Zimbabwe's national anthem is a patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of the people of Zimbabwe. It is used by the government of Zimbabwe as the official national song.
Proudly Lift High the Flag of the Land of Zimbabwe (Shona: "Simudzai Mureza wedu WeZimbabwe"; Ndebele: "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe") is the national anthem of Zimbabwe.