List of Zimbabweans

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

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.

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

Actors

• Steven Chigorimbo (born 1951), actor, producer, and director

• Kudzai Chimbaira, actress

• Danai Gurira, actress

• Charmaine Mujeri, actress
• Jesesi Mungoshi, actress

• Sandra Ndebele, dancer and actress

• Memry Savanhu, Nollywood actress

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

• 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
• Hazel Crane (1951-2003)
• 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

Main article: List of Zimbabwean musicians

• Soul Jah Love (Soul Muzavazi Musaka, 1989–2021) – Zimdancehall artist known for "Ndini Uya Uya" and "Pamamonya Ipapo"; died February 2021
• Tocky Vibes (Obey Makambureyi, November 29 1993) – Zimdancehall artist known for "Mhai"; noted for socially conscious lyrics
• Baba Harare (Braveman Chizvino, born 22 December 1988) – Zimdancehall and sungura musician; one of the most popular artists in Zimbabwe
• Selmor Mtukudzi – Afro-jazz and contemporary artist; daughter of the late Oliver Mtukudzi; known for blending traditional Zimbabwean and gospel influences

Politicians

Main article: List of Zimbabwean 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