This paper briefly examines the historical background to political independence in African nations, highlighting the control of the colonial masters on those nations. The "hangovers" describes how early colonial control has had serious influence on the development of social studies curriculum in Zimbabwe. The paper concludes by narrating the implications of these colonial hangovers for social studies teachers, including: (1) rapid changes in names and boundaries; (2) changes in governments and economic systems with new elections; and (3) an understanding of the different colonial powers that controlled countries in Africa and that these European nations had used and emphasized different strategies and techniques which are now responsible for many of Africa's political, economic and social problems. (EH)