Greeks in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean Greeks
Έλληνες της Ζιμπάμπουε

Regions with significant populations
Harare
Languages
English, Greek
Religion
Greek Orthodox Church

Zimbabwe

Greek Zimbabweans (Greek: Έλληνες της Ζιμπάμπουε) comprise about 2,500 people of Greek origin, almost half of them from the island of Cyprus. Zimbabwe currently hosts eleven Greek Orthodox churches and fifteen Greek associations and humanitarian organizations.

History

The Greek community in Zimbabwe numbered between 13,000 and 15,000 people in 1972 but following the deterioration of Zimbabwe's domestic and financial situation has been reduced to a fraction of its former size. The country's highest-scoring flying ace of World War II, John Plagis, was the son of Greek immigrants from the island of Lemnos.

Present situation

The local Greek community and Greece itself are active in the field of humanitarian assistance to Zimbabwe. Apart from a few landowners and businesspeople the majority of Greeks in the country are occupied in trade and other activities that contribute considerably to the country's economy. There are Greek communities in various cities in the country, including Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru and Harare where the local community has been operating a Greek school since 1954. The Archbishopric of Zimbabwe and Southern Africa is under the jurisdiction of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria.

Notable people

• Mario Frangoulis, Greek singer (born 1967)
• John Plagis, Flying Ace in the Royal Air Force (1919–1974)
• Sabrina, Greek singer (born 1969)
• George Zambellas, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Royal Navy (born 1958)
• John Traicos, Zimbabwe & South African test cricketer (born 1947)