From Colonial Rhodesia to Modern Zimbabwe: the Naming Timeline of Africa’s Z Nations

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Q1: Why are Zambia and Zimbabwe the only countries starting with Z?
A1: Under international law and standard diplomatic recognition, only 193 sovereign states are UN members. Among these recognized states, Zambia and Zimbabwe are the only two whose primary English spellings begin with Z. Both emerged from the dissolution of colonial Rhodesia and chose names starting with Z upon gaining independence.

Q2: Why is Zaire no longer listed among the Z countries?
A2: The state was renamed Zaire in 1971 by dictator Mobutu Sese Seko as part of his cultural nationalization program. Following Mobutu's fall from power in May 1997, the incoming government immediately abolished the name and reverted to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Q3: Is Zanzibar an independent country today?
A3: No. Zanzibar was a sovereign sultanate and briefly a republic between December 1963 and April 1964. It then united with mainland Tanganyika to form the United Republic of Tanzania. Today, Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous region within Tanzania rather than a distinct UN member state.

Q4: What happened to the capital cities of Northern and Southern Rhodesia?
A4: Northern Rhodesia’s capital was Livingstone until 1935, when the administration moved to Lusaka, which remained Zambia's capital after independence. Southern Rhodesia’s capital, Salisbury, was established by Rhodes's Pioneer Column in 1890. It was officially renamed Harare on April 18, 1982, commemorating the second anniversary of Zimbabwean independence.