Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked sovereign state located in southern Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers. It borders South Africa to the south, Botswana to the west, Zambia to the northwest, and Mozambique to the east and northeast. The capital and largest city is Harare. A country of roughly 13 million people, Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, with English, Shona, and Ndebele the most commonly used.
The name "Zimbabwe" is based on a Shona term for Great Zimbabwe, an ancient ruined city in the country's south-east whose remains are now a protected site.
Zimbabwe was formerly known as Southern Rhodesia (1898), Rhodesia (1965), and Zimbabwe Rhodesia (1979). The first recorded use of "Zimbabwe" as a term of national reference was in 1960, when it was coined by the black nationalist Michael Mawema, whose Zimbabwe National Party became the first to officially use the name in 1961. The term Rhodesia—derived from the surname of Cecil Rhodes, the primary instigator of British colonisation of the territory during the late 19th century—was perceived as inappropriate because of its colonial origin and connotations.
== Links To Peel ==
Peel regularly played music from Zimbabwe on his shows especially artists such as Thomas Mapfumo, Stella Chiweshe, Four Brothers and the Bhundu Boys. In the spring of 1988 Peel visited the country with Sheila as part of the joint venture between the British Council and the BBC World Service after Dave Lee Travis declined the invitation. Peel's role on the occasion was to open a pop music exhibition in the capital city Harare. During his time in the country, Sheila and Peel visited many townships to experience the local music, which included seeing the Four Brothers, who Sheila invited for Peel's 50th surprise birthday party at Peel Acres. Peel considered the Four Brothers' performance for his birthday among the greatest gigs of his life.
thumb|220x220px|Article from Peel about Zimbabwe on The Observer published on 10th April 1988
The trip to Zimbabwe was also important to Peel because he got to visit Victoria Falls, which he had always wanted to see ever since he saw a photograph of it as a child. At the Victoria Falls, Peel convinced the border guards to cross into Zambia with the intention of crossing to see the falls from the other side, by mentioning a few Zambian records to the guards, who were impressed with his knowledge of the local music and his singing duet with one of the border guards on a few verses of 'Samora Michel' by the Zambian band Shalawambe.
In an interview with Molara, Peel described Victoria Falls as unbelievable, when asked whether anything has taken his breath away:
"Victoria Falls, it's unbelievable - makes Niagra Falls look like a drainage system. It's so vast. Me and Sheila hired bikes and rode down the Zimbabwean side and went to the Zambian border controls - we asked to go over the border to see their side of the Falls, then I asked if there was a record shop and we ended up discussing music and singing the chorus of his favourite band's no.1 tune together, they stamped my card and in I went. I thought "that's the way to cross international boundaries". What different treatment he would have got if he'd turned up at Heathrow." 
== Sessions ==
The following artists from Zimbabwe recorded sessions for the John Peel Show:
* Bhundu Boys: (2 sessions, 1986)
* John Chibadura & Tembo Brothers: (1 session, 1989)
* Stella Chiweshe: (2 sessions, 1988-1991)
* Four Brothers: (4 sessions, 1988-2000)
* Thomas Mapfumo: (1 session, 1998)
* Zimbabwe Cha Cha Cha Kings: (1 session, 1992)
== Festive Fifty ==
The following artists from Zimbabwe had Festive Fifty entries for the John Peel Show:
* Bhundu Boys: My Foolish Heart #30 (1987 Festive Fifty)
== Compilations ==
(Tracks played by Peel from various artist (v/a) compilations featuring music from Zimbabwe. Please add more information if known.)
(LP - Viva Zimbabwe: Dance Music From Zimbabwe) Earthworks
* 22 August 1983: Patrick Mukwamba And The Four Brothers: Dai Ndiri Shiri
*27 August 1983 (BFBS): (JP: "This is a terrible time for records. August is always a bad month, but this is particularly bad I think, and there have been very very few records in the last 3 or 4 weeks anyway which have given me much more than the occasional kind of frisson of pleasure, but by and large there's been nothing which has made me think - 'I'm glad I lived long enough to hear this blighter'. But finally an LP has come to my rescue from Earthworks...") - Patrick Mukwamba & Four Brothers: Dai Ndiri Shiri
*27 August 1983 (BFBS): Devera Ngwena Jazz Band: Solo Na Mutsai
*27 August 1983 (BFBS): New Black Montana: Magumede (Fatty) 
* 06 September 1983: Patrick Mukwamba And The Four Brothers: Zvinonaka Zvinodhura
* 17 September 1983 (BFBS): Devera Ngwena Jazz Band: Zvoku Mayadhi
(LP - Take Cover! (Zimbabwe Hits)) Discafrique
* 15 January 1986: Jairos Jiri Sunrise Kwela Band: Take Cover
* 20 January 1986: Jairos Jiri Sunrise Kwela Band: Take Cover
* 28 January 1986: Family Singers: Tarira Nguva
* 03 February 1986: Safirio Madzikatire And The Sea Cottage Sisters: Dickson
* 18 February 1986: James Chimombe And The O.K. Success: B.P.
(v/a album - Maunguira A Zimbabwe Volume 2) (Peel mentions the album has artists featuring the Vhuka Boys, Fallen Heroes, Zimbabwe Clear Sounds, Sweet Melodies, John Chibadura & The Tembo Brothers, Mother Band, Search Brothers and the Sungura Boys)
*03 March 1987: John Chibadura & The Tembo Brothers: Su-Zay-Knee (phonetically) 
(LP - "Goodbye Sandra" : Zimbabwe Hits Volume Two) Discafrique
*07 March 1988: Sungura Boys: Soweto
*16 March 1988: Sungura Boys: Zimbabwe / Rhodesia
*21 March 1988: Sungura Boys: Africa 
* 04 April 1988: Marxist Brothers: Rudo Ibofu
(LP - Zimbabwe Frontline) Earthworks
* 03 August 1988: Susan Mapfumo And The Black Salutarys: Dzvoko
* 09 August 1988: Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Nyimbo Yakwasu
* 16 August 1988 (Radio Bremen): Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Nyimbo Yakwasu
* 17 August 1988: Four Brothers: Rudo Imoto
* 30 August 1988: Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Nyimbo Yakwasu
* 07 September 1988: Patrick Mkwamba & Four Brothers: Emeriya Usanyengedzwe
* 14 September 1988: Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Nyimbo Yakwasu
(LP - Advance Kusugar! (Zimbabwe Hits - Volume 3)) Discafrique International
*02 November 1988: Jonah Moyo & Devera Ngwena Jazz Band: Karekita
*16 November 1988: Safirio Madzikatire With The Sea Cottage Sisters & The New World Band: Bhizinesi Mudhorobha
*23 November 1988: Jonah Moyo & Devera Ngwena Jazz Band: Hombarume
(LP - African Sunset "A Collection Of Songs, Singers And Sounds Of Zimbabwe") CSA
* 16 January 1989: Indi Brothers: Kugara Nekugara
* 17 January 1989: Jethro Sasha: Shungu Iwe
*31 January 1989: Dorothy Masuka: Ngotsotsi 
(LP - Mutinhimira/Umdhumo We Zimbabwe Vol. 1) Mutinhimira Umdumo
* 13 November 1989: Gerald Sangombe & Blues Revolution: Miriam
* 15 November 1989: Outsiders: Shamwari Yangu
* 16 November 1989: Bright Starts Function: Rosie
* 05 December 1989: Hurungwe Sounds: Tyora Matanda
* 28 December 1989: Hurungwe Sounds: Tyora Matanda
* 04 January 1990: Speed Limit: Jimmy
* 11 January 1990: Exodus Sound Blast: Simbiso
(CD - Spirit Of The Eagle (Zimbabwe Frontline Vol. 2)) Earthworks
* 26 March 1990: Thomas Mapfumo And The Blacks Unlimited: Nyamutamba Ne Mombe
* 27 March 1990: Robson Banda And The New Black Eagles: Masvingo Netara
* 04 April 1990: Patrick Mkwamba & Four Brothers: Vambozha Vauya
* 18 April 1990: Robson Banda & The New Black Eagles: Dzinomwa Muna Save
(CD - The Rough Guide To The Music Of Zimbabwe) World Music Network
*04 December 1997 (BFBS): Thomas Mapfumo: Buka Tiende
*11 December 1997 (BFBS): Thomas Mapfumo: Buka Tiende
(CD - Zimbabwe Frontline 3: Roots Rock Guitar Party) Stern's Africa
* 22 April 1999: Zimbabwe Cha Cha Cha Kings: Runako Rwemwana Wanguo
* 04 May 1999: Muddy Face: Mukoma Wangu
* 05 May 1999: Zimbabwe Cha Cha Cha Kings: Runako Rwemwana Wanguo
* 27 May 1999: Four Brothers: Takaboneko
* May 1999 (FSK): Four Brothers: Takava Neko
== See Also ==
* World Music
* Countries
* Chinhoyi Superstars 
*Jordan Chataika 
*Tobias Areketa 
== External Links ==
* Wikipedia
* Official Website
* BBC Country Profile
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Category:Maps
Category:Countries
Category:Compilations