1889-90 British enter Rhodesia [Zimbabwe] under Cecil Rhodes. A Treaty was signed with the British South Africa Company to mine gold in the Kingdom under the Matabele rule, with an influx of settlers soon led to war with Lobengula, King of Matabeleland 1896-97, who died whilst fleeing North and were defeated therefore European immigration began in earnest.
Both the Ndebele and the Shona staged unsuccessful revolts against white colonialist encroachment on their native lands in 1896-1897. In 1911 the territory was divided into Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), the latter becoming a self-governing British colony in 1922. In 1953 the two parts of Rhodesia were reunited in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and after its dissolution in 1963 the whites demanded independence from South Rhodesia (Rhodesia from 1964.
As African majority governments were assuming control in neighboring Northern Rhodesia and in Nyasaland, the white-minority government, led by Ian Smith, declared unilateral independence on November 11,1965. The United Kingdom called the declaration an act of rebellion but did not reestablish control by force. When negotiation in 1966 and 1968 proved fruitless, the UK requested UN economic sanctions against Rhodesia. The white minority regime declared itself a republic in 1970. It was not recognized by the UK of any other state.
As guerillas activities fighting minority rule intensified, the Smith regime opened negotiations with the leaders of the Zimbabwe Africa National Union (ZANU), led by Robert Mugabe (Current President) after the assassination of Herbert Chitepo in Zambia 1975, and the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), led by Joshua Nkomo(was Vice President until his death in July 1999) With his regime near the brink of collapse, Smith in March 1978 signed a desperate accord with three black leaders who offered safeguards for whites headed by Bishop Abel Muzorewa.
The Muzorewa government soon faltered. In 1979 the British Government asked all parties to come to Lancaster House in an attempt to negotiate a settlement in the civil war.
Following the conference, held in London (1979-80), Britain’s Lord Soames was appointed governor to oversee the disarming of revolutionary guerillas, the holding of elections, and the granting of independence to the government with Joshua Nkomo (ZAPU) and Robert Mugabe (ZANU) won a landslide victory. In 1988 a peace accord with the Ndebele saw cabinet merge into ZANU-PF.
In 1992, the country suffered a severe drought. The land redistribution began in 1999/2000. In 2005 “Operation Murambatsvina” took place in order to crackdown on illegal markets and homes. Despite having some hard economic/agricultural times at current, Zimbabwe is still a beautiful country filled with lovely nature and scenery and will one day return to being the “Land of Treasure and of Gold”.
Presidents
Canaan Sodindo Banana (5 March 1936 – 10 November 2003), a Zimbabwean Methodist minister, was the country's first President. He held the largely ceremonial office from 18 April 1980 to 31 December 1987, during which time his eventual successor Robert Mugabe served as prime minister and was the dominant figure in the Zimbabwean government.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe (born 21 February 1924) is a Zimbabwe politician and the current President of Zimbabwe. He has been the head of government in Zimbabwe since 1980, first as Prime Minister and later as first executive President.
Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo (June 19, 1917 – July 1, 1999) was a Zimbabwean nationalist leader and revolutionary, a member of the Ndebele (or Matebele) ethnic group, and the leader and founder of the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU).
Joseph Msika (6 December 1923 — ) has been vice-president of Zimbabwe since 23 December 1999. He was originally a member of Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union, but now serves under Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front.
Joyce Mujuru (born 1956) is a Zimbabwean politician, who serves as a vice-president of the Zanu-PF party, alongside fellow vice-president Joseph Msika and president Robert Mugabe, taking a position left vacant following the death of Simon Muzenda.
Simon Vengai Muzenda (October 28, 1922 – September 20, 2003) was a Shona from the Karanga group, a Zimbabwean politician who served as a deputy prime minister and vice president under president Robert Mugabe
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai was founded in 1999 as the official opposition party.
Heroes Acre Harare
Heroes Acre is a fitting monument (North Korean designed Bronze Sculpture)to the fearless champions of justice who helped to create a new socio-economic order. It also serves as an inspiration to the youth of Zimbabwe so that they can emulate the strength and courage of these heroes.
Please note: There is also a Heroes Acre in Bulawayo.
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