This is a list of notable Zimbabweans. This list includes people born in Zimbabwe, notably of Zimbabwean descent, or otherwise strongly associated to Zimbabwe.

Academics

  • Gordon Chavunduka (1931–2013), sociologist and traditional healer, Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe
  • Tonderai Kasu, medical doctor and Substantive Director of Health and Environmental Services for Chitungwiza
  • Joseph Landsberg (born 1938), forestry scientist, author, science administrator and consultant, awarded 2020 Marcus Wallenberg Prize
  • Fadzayi Mahere (born 1985), lawyer and critic of the government, independent candidate in Zimbabwean general election, 2018
  • Collen Masimirembwa, professor of clinical pharmacology
  • Mufti Ismail ibn Musa Menk (born 1975), Muslim cleric (Ulama), Islamic proselytiser, motivational speaker

Artists

  • Coster Balakasi (born 1972), sculptor
  • Dominic Benhura (born 1968), sculptor
  • Richard Chiwasa (born 1947), sculptor
  • Pfungwa Dziike (born 1972), sculptor
  • Charles Fernando (1941–1995), artist
  • Bronson Gengezha (born 1981), sculptor
  • Tawanda Kanhema (born 1981/1982), technologist, photographer
  • Onias Mupumha, sculptor
  • Thakor Patel, painter
  • Anthony Sabuneti (born 1974), sculptor
  • Ronika Tandi (born 1975), sculptor
  • Brian Watyoka, sculptor

Businesspeople

  • Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei (born 1969), founder of Sakunda Holdings
  • John Bredenkamp (born 1940), founder of the Casalee Group
  • Phillip Chiyangwa (born 1959), founder of the Affirmative Action Group; chair of Native Africa Investments Ltd
  • Codilia Gapare, entrepreneur and magistrate
  • David Hatendi (1953–2012), former CEO of MBCA Bank Ltd and NMB Bank Ltd, founder of Hatendi Private Equity Advisers
  • Strive Masiyiwa (born 1961), founder of telecommunications firm Econet Wireless and Botswana's Mascom Wireless
  • Mutumwa Mawere (born 1960), multi-industrialist
  • Paul Tangi Mhova Mkondo (1945–2013), insurance guru, property magnate
  • Tendai Moyo, founder of Ruka Hair in the UK
  • Prag Lalloo Naran (1926–1981), multi-industrialist
  • Trevor Ncube (born 1962), newspaper owner
  • Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO

Military personnel

  • Happyton Bonyongwe (born 1960), retired major general of the Zimbabwe National Army
  • Dumiso Dabengwa (1939–2019), former head of Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) intelligence
  • Azim Daudpota (1933–2017), Pakistani commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe
  • Ken Flower (died 1987), head of the Central Intelligence Organisation
  • Ambrose Gunda (died 2007), former brigadier general
  • Chenjerai Hunzvi (1949–2001), chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
  • Alfred Nikita Mangena (1943–1978), commander of ZIPRA
  • Elson Moyo, former deputy commander of the Air Force of Zimbabwe and key figure in the 2017 Zimbabwean coup d'état
  • Solomon Mujuru (1945–2011), commander of the Zimbabwe National Army
  • Perrance Shiri (1955–2020), retired Air Chief Marshal of the Air Force of Zimbabwe
  • Jabulani Sibanda, former ZIPRA soldier, president of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
  • Josiah Tongogara (1938–1979), commander of Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA)
  • Vitalis Zvinavashe (1943–2009), first commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces

Musicians

Politicians

Sportspeople

Cricketers

  • Scott Adamson (1906–1962), former cricketer for Rhodesia
  • Derek Carle (born 1973), cricketer
  • Shane Cloete (born 1971), cricketer
  • Duncan Fletcher (born 1948), former national cricket captain and former England cricket team coach
  • Andy Flower (born 1968), retired cricketer and captain of the Zimbabwe national cricket team
  • Robin Gifford (born 1974), former cricketer
  • Dave Hallack (born 1966), cricketer
  • Pommie Mbangwa (born 1976), retired cricketer, professional sports commentator
  • Waddington Mwayenga (born 1984), cricketer
  • Henry Olonga (born 1976), retired professional cricketer
  • Ray Price (born 1976), retired professional cricketer
  • Bradley Robinson (born 1975), retired professional cricketer
  • Heath Streak (born 1974), retired professional cricketer, head coach of the Zimbabwe national cricket team
  • Darren Weber (born 1972), retired professional cricketer

Footballers

  • Cleopas Dube (born 1990), forward
  • Bruce Grobbelaar (born 1957), retired professional footballer
  • Justice Majabvi (born 1984), professional footballer
  • Clement Matawu (born 1982), midfielder
  • Robson Muchichwa (born 1975), retired professional footballer
  • Peter Muduhwa (born 1993), professional footballer
  • Benjani Mwaruwari (born 1978), retired professional footballer
  • Ndabenkulu Ncube (born 1988), professional footballer
  • Peter Ndlovu (born 1973), retired professional footballer
  • Tinashe Nengomasha (born 1982), professional footballer
  • Esrom Nyandoro (born 1980), professional footballer
  • Simbarashe Sithole, forward
  • Sebastien Summerfield (born 2002), professional footballer
  • Conrad Whitby (born 1984), midfielder

Others

  • Byron Black (born 1969), retired professional tennis player
  • Cara Black (born 1979), professional tennis player
  • Wayne Black (born 1973), retired professional tennis player
  • Warren Carne (born 1975), cross country mountain cyclist
  • Tendai Chimusasa (born 1971), retired long distance runner
  • Derek Chisora (born 1983), professional heavyweight boxer (active)
  • Kirsty Coventry (born 1983), Olympic swimming medallist and former world record holder
  • Brendon de Jonge (born 1980), professional golfer on the PGA Tour
  • Tendai Mtawarira (born 1985), professional rugby union player
  • Fabian Kabwe Muyaba (born 1970), retired professional Olympic Sprinter former record holder
  • David Pocock (born 1988), Zimbabwe-born Australian rugby player
  • Nick Price (born 1957), professional golfer and World Golf Hall of Fame inductee
  • Vitalis Takawira (born 1972), retired professional footballer
  • Micheen Thornycroft (born 1987), Olympic rower
  • Kevin Ullyett (born 1972), retired professional tennis player

Writers

  • M. K. Asante (born ca. 1982), Zimbabwe-born American author of Buck: A Memoir
  • Catherine Buckle (born 1957), author of children's books shush autobiographical non-fiction
  • NoViolet Bulawayo (born 1981), author of We Need New Names, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize
  • Jacob Chikuhwa (born 1940)
  • Brian Chikwava (born 1972), writer and musician
  • Shimmer Chinodya (born 1957), novelist
  • Judy Croome (born 1958), writer
  • Tsitsi Dangarembga (born 1959), author and filmmaker
  • John Eppel (born 1947), writer
  • Petina Gappah (born 1971), writer and lawyer
  • Peter Godwin (born 1957), author, journalist, and documentary filmmaker
  • Chenjerai Hove (1956–2015), writer
  • Wiseman Magwa (born 1962), playwright
  • Morgan Mahanya (born 1948), writer
  • Onesimo Makani Kabweza (1939–1993), journalist and magazine editor
  • J. Nozipo Maraire (born 1966), writer, entrepreneur, and doctor
  • Dambudzo Marechera (1952–1987), actor
  • Alexander McCall Smith (born 1948), Zimbabwe-born British author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series
  • Cont Mhlanga, playwright and theatre director
  • Charles Mungoshi (1947–2019), writer
  • Togara Muzanenhamo (born 1975), poet
  • Angus Shaw (born 1949), journalist
  • George Shire, scholar, political analyst, and cultural critic
  • Wilbur Smith (1933–2021), author of historical fiction
  • Yvonne Vera (1964–2005), writer

Others

  • Moud Goba, LGBTIQ human rights activist
  • Chido Govera (born 1986), campaigner for sustainable farming
  • Robert Martin Gumbura, former pastor and convicted criminal
  • Mavis Moyo, Radio Zimbabwe (ZBC Radio 4) broadcaster

References


Many Zimbabweans in South Africa have decided to return to Zimbabwe

Top 5 Zimbabwean Famous Personalities YouTube

Zimbabweans pour onto Harare streets in jubilation after Mugabe resigns

Zimbabweans cast ballots amid economic woes and mistrust

Raza leads list of Zimbabweans for The Hundred Men\'s draft r/Zimbabwe