People group profile · PG015667
The Ndebele of Zimbabwe
The Ndebele of Zimbabwe, numbering about 2,170,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a Nguni ethnic group indigenous to Southern Africa.
They are an indigenous people in the Bantu, Nguni people cluster of the Sub-Saharan African Peoples. Their primary religion is Protestantism, and they primarily speak North Ndebele.

Fast facts
- Country
- Zimbabwe
- Population
- 2,170,000
- Affinity group
- Sub-Saharan African Peoples
- People cluster
- Bantu, Nguni
- Primary language
- North Ndebele (nde)
- Primary religion
- Protestantism
- Strategic Progress Index
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 15% or Greater but Less than 20%
- GSEC
- 10% or Greater Evangelical
- Lostness priority
- Moderately Reached People Group
- Region
- Eastern Africa, Africa
- Location
- Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, and Matabeleland South provinces
Where they live
Gospel status
The Ndebele are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 10% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Ndebele
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
Protestantism · Christianity
75% adherents
Primary language
North Ndebele · Atlantic-Congo family
100% speak North Ndebele
Gospel resources in North Ndebele
- Bible available, published 2023
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- 1978 Bible Society of Zimbabwe · video, audio
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Ndebele
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
Ndebele in other countries
The same people (ROP3 107154) is reported in 1 other country.
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