About Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa and is located between the mighty Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers. Zimbabwe is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia to the north, and Mozambique to the east.
Since gaining independence from Britain in 1980, Zimbabwe has remained a stable country with Harare as its capital city. The country is divided into ten administrative provinces with Bulawayo (the second largest city) and Harare designated as the country’s two metropolitan provinces. Each province has a provincial capital which hosts the government’s administrative offices. Masvingo City, the venue of the 2027 PASMAE Conference is the capital of Masvingo Province. The city is also known as the ‘Ancient City’ owing to its proximity to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument. Masvingo City is the country’s oldest town having been founded in 1890 as Fort Victoria.
Currency
US$ cash and SA Rand are widely used alongside the local currency called Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG). Cards: VISA cards are accepted in many places. A few accept Mastercard. American Express seems not to be used at all.
Population
16.9 million (2024).
People and Languages
Zimbabwe is a multi-ethnic and multi-racial nation. It boasts of 16 official languages, with English, Shona, and Ndebele the most widely spoken. The diversity of the population enhances the cultural vibrancy and heritage of the nation. Zimbabwe is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Tourism
Zimbabwe has several major tourist attractions. Among these are the majestic Victoria Falls along the Zambezi River, the architectural marvel of stone-works at the Great Zimbabwe National Monument (after which the country is named), and several national parks that are home to Nature’s Big Five. Visitors to Zimbabwe are spoiled for choice as they decide whether to visit the Victoria Falls National Park, Hwange National Park, Gonarezhou National Park, Lake Kariba, Nyanga Mountains or Matopos (Matobo Hills), among others. Notably, Masvingo Province, the venue of this PASMAE Conference, is, in addition to Great Zimbabwe Monuments, also home to both Gonarezhou National Park (the second largest in the country) and the two largest inland dams in the country, namely Lake Mutirikwe and Tokwe-Mukosi Dam.
Conference Tours and Excursions
Full and half day tours may be offered in and around Masvingo before, during and after the conference. Watch this space for further information. The tours during the week are mainly for accompanying persons.
On Wednesday afternoon, 7th July, a half day tour is planned to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument (at own expense).
Tours are being explored for delegates pre and post conference to visit game parks, Victoria Falls, Bulawayo or other places of interest.
Music
Zimbabwean music is heavily reliant on the use of instruments such as the mbira, Ngoma drums and hosho. The music symbolises much more than a simple rhythm, as the folk and pop style styled music was used as a symbol of hope. Music has played a significant role in the history of Zimbabwe, including the traditional music at Bira ceremonies used to call on ancestral spirits, and protest songs during the struggle for independence.
The PASMAE-ISME Conference will showcase Zimbabwean music and musicians.
Arts
Traditional arts in Zimbabwe include pottery, basketry, textiles, jewellery and carving. Among the distinctive qualities are symmetrically patterned woven baskets and stools carved out of a single piece of wood. Shona sculpture, which has a long cultural history, began evolving into its modern form in the mid-20th century and has increasingly gained international popularity. Most subjects of carved figures of stylised birds and human figures among others are made with sedimentary rock such as soapstone, as well as harder igneous rocks such as serpentine and the rare stone verdite. Zimbabwean artefacts can be found in countries such as Singapore, China and Canada, for example, Dominic Benhura‘s statue in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Science and Technology
Source: UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030 (2015)
Zimbabwe has a relatively well-developed national infrastructure and a long-standing tradition of promoting research and development. The country has a well-developed education system, with one in eleven adults holding a tertiary degree. Given the country’s solid knowledge base and abundant natural resources, Zimbabwe has great growth potential. Zimbabwe was ranked 129th in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.
Health and Safety
- Always carry your ID, such as a copy of your passport.
- Consider taking anti-malarial medication or other preventative measures.
- Petty crime is present in Harare and Bulawayo. Be mindful of your belongings.
- Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof.
- Use insect repellent.
- Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercooked food. Ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date.
- Don’t swim in lakes and rivers due to the risk of waterborne diseases.
