Who is zimbabwe

As stated above in Ian Smith was elected Prime Minister, and declares Rhodesia an independent country under white minority rule in The election of Smith and his Patriotic Front brought with it more and increasingly severe repression. After the murder of a white farmer the Rhodesian security forces attempted to arrest the leadership of both the major liberation parties. After this incident and the increased oppression of their political activities both ZANU and ZAPU decided that they could only achieve national liberation through armed struggle.

Joshua Nkomo was that same year arrested and imprisoned by the Rhodesian government until Another way for the Rhodesian regime to punish black people who took part in the organisations struggling for national liberation was to confiscate their property and make their families homeless.

For the next 15 years the two liberation armies would fight the Rhodesian security forces in what is known either as the Rhodesian Bush War or as the second Chimurenga. The first larger military engagements between Zimbabwean and Rhodesian forces was in In the beginning the war went well for the Rhodesian security forces. They won most engagements and the liberation armies did not have a major impact on the economy nor could they take and hold significant territories.

There was a strong cooperation between the colonial regimes in South Africa, Mozambique and Rhodesia, and in they formally created an alliance in what is called; 'the Alcora'. After the armed struggle intensified and the Rhodesian state was beginning to struggle. The conscription of white men was extended in age and in the amount of time each man had to serve. This also became a drain on the Rhodesian economy as such a large part of the white work force was fighting in the war.

By the mid's, as Mozambique gained its independence from Portugal and South Africa was withdrawing most of its military support, it was impossible to win for the Rhodesian forces. ZANLA had two major internal insurrections by mainly the young and educated members of the organisation who joined up in the early 's.

After the main mission of the Rhodesian regime was now to gain a negotiated settlement which would allow for the white people of Rhodesia to hold on to their privileges.

In return a Woolworth's department store in Salisbury was bombed by liberation forces in September of In and over a thousand Zimbabwean refugees in Mozambique were killed by Rhodesian forces. ZIPRA forces, in return, shot down two civilian planes one in and one in killing people in total. The agreement basically stated that there would be national elections held where all white people and some black people could vote for a new national government. This election was held about a year after the agreement was made.

Rhodesia got a new flag and was now renamed Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, although the new country remained unrecognised internationally. The entire Internal Settlement was condemn by the United Nations. After the elections the new government began negotiations with the various parties fighting for national liberation. All the various militias would return to Zimbabwe and stay in camps supervised British soldiers and as soon as possible Zimbabwe would hold new national elections.

Robert Mugabe then became the first Prime Minister of an independent Zimbabwe. The years after independence was politically turbulent in Zimbabwe. The reason for the arrests and the sackings was that arms-caches had been discovered on ZAPU owned properties. In all the police stated that they found 31 arms caches hidden in the Gwaai area and around Bulawayo.

The exit of ZAPU members from the government meant the end of the National Unity government and more trouble was brewing on the horizon. The army was called in to put down any dissidents in the area in an operation called Gukurahundi.

The army killed civilians which they claimed harboured dissidents, but it soon became obvious that it had become a campaign of indiscriminate killings of the Ndebele people in the area.

He also stated that anyone who fed or hid dissidents was part of the war. These statements were understood as any person in Matabeleland was potentially a dissident and therefore a target for war. The killings continued until and by that time an estimated The s would be no less politically turbulent. In the late s and early 90s there were protests by university students against corruption and there was large scale pressure for an increased inclusion of black Zimbabweans into the economy.

There had been few attempts at land reform so most of the arable land was still in the hands of white Zimbabweans.

These structural adjustment programs came as a demand if developing countries wanted more loans from the international financial institutions. They included cuts in public spending, opening up the boarders for free trade, cutting of taxes, democratisation of the political system and privatising the economy. The measures were supposed to bring economic growth, but usually had disastrous effects. They also led to serious protests and strikes by particularly public sector employees, as this had a great effect on their salaries.

The effects of the government cuts would lead to protests and discontent amongst most Zimbabweans. To deal with the land issue, and for ZANU-PF to regain some popularity amongst the people, a land act was passed in which meant that the government could forcefully seize land for resettlement. The act was also introduced after accusations by the Zimbabwean government that the British government had never lived up to their part of the Lancaster House Agreement, in which they would fund a much larger part of the land reform program than they did.

There was also an issue that by most of the white farmers were no longer interested in selling any land, and as such driving the prices of land upward. The white farmers argued that they were a major driver in the economy and the largest employers in the country and that driving them out would have disastrous effects. ZANU-PF won a resounding victory in the elections and took this as popular support for land reform.

The land issue would however lay relatively dormant until when war veterans began to demand more monetary compensation for their part in the liberation struggle.

The late 's was also marked by increasing civil society activities, general strikes, and rioting over increasing food prices. The government begins to print money to pay the war veterans and by they can no longer cover their loans to the IMF and the World Bank. Meanwhile between and in the face of droughts, food price increases and a nation wide economic meltdown, many black Zimbabweans and war veterans had begun to occupy farm land on their own accord.

The elections were marred by violence against the opposition including the killing of several MDC members. On June 28 that same year the government announced that it would begin to seize white owned farms. This program of farm seizures became known as the third Chimurenga.

Protests erupted in the capital city of Harare, and in return there was extensive violence against members of the opposition party. The political turmoil, the bad economic planning and the printing of money led to runaway inflation, and by Zimbabwean dollars were practically worthless.

In whole neighbourhoods in Harare were demolished in what the government called slum clearance, but the opposition claimed that it was targeted violence against their supporters. The election was again marred by political violence against the opposition.

Because of the economic problems in the country the living standard for average Zimbabweans were plummeting in , people did not have enough to eat and at the same there was a major cholera outbreak. The new government brought an halt to some of the major issues facing Zimbabwe and saw an increase in the general living standard in the country. In March there was a referendum on constitutional changes which would allow Robert Mugabe to remain as Head of the Government until The protesters were demanding electoral reform and was a reaction to low economic growth, bad governance, and persistent high unemployment.

Another reason for the protests was attempts at bringing back the Zimbabwean dollar and attempting to block imports coming in from South Africa. Alpers, Edward A. Beach, D. Boston, Thomas D. Bowman, Larry W. Chanaiwa, David. Chikuhwa, Jacob Wilson. Chirikure, Shadreck. Chung, Fay. Huffman, Thomas N. Kalley, Jacqueline Audrey. Southern African Political History: A chronological of key political events from independence to mid Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Group.

Maudeni, Zibani. Mlambo, Alois S. A History of Zimbabwe. Pretoria: Cambridge University Press. Mudenge, S. Ndlovu-Gatsheni, Sabelo J.

Published by Weaver Press: Harare. Ndlovu-Gatsheni, S. The Ndebele nation: Reflections on hegemony, memory and historiography. Amsterdam: Rozenberg Publishers. Oliver, R. Medieval Africa Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

After serving out Mr Mugabe's term, Mr Mnangagwa was narrowly re-elected as president in a July election. Mr Mnangagwa previously served as first vice-president from until his dismissal on 6 November He took part in the fight for independence in the s and has held several key roles since independence in Known as "the crocodile" because of his political cunning, he was associated with some of worst atrocities committed under the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Since his election as president, he has pledged open government and a programme to stabilise the ruined economy and boost foreign investment, but price hikes and high underlying inflation have led to street protests. All broadcasters in Zimbabwe, and many of the main newspapers, toe the government line. Radio is the main source of information. Pedestrians in dark clothing and animals are often walking along and on the roads, and the majority of roads in Zimbabwe are poorly lit.

Motor vehicles often have no headlights or taillights and are difficult to see at night. Passing lanes are not always clearly marked, and road visibility at times can be restricted. In urban areas, lane markers are often faded, with non-working streetlights and traffic lights. Potholes are also numerous on most roads. The Traffic Safety Council reports there are vehicle accidents in Harare alone each night.

Also note, as mentioned above, local police frequently use marked and unmarked ad hoc road blocks to enforce order and collect fines, particularly in urban centers and on major roads. The U. Service stations often lack fuel or spare parts. Public bus drivers are often fatigued, fail to adhere to local speed limits, and often fail to obey traffic rules or regulations. It is illegal to operate a cellular telephone while driving in Zimbabwe. Drivers are required to wear seat belts or helmets if driving motorcycles.

Car seats are not legally required for small children. The availability of fuel severely restricts the response capability of police and other emergency services. The Ministry of Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development is the government authority responsible for road safety in Zimbabwe. There is no national established network of roadside emergency service.

However, the Automobile Association of Zimbabwe, similar to the American Automobile Association, is willing to provide roadside emergency service to nonmembers for a fee. Travelers interested in contacting the service during their stay in Zimbabwe may contact AA Zimbabwe at Where is Zimbabwe located? What countries border Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe Weather What is the current weather in Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe Facts and Culture What is Zimbabwe famous for?

Food and Recipes: While many people use Western utensils, it is also common to eat with the fingers in rural areas. Regardless of More Family: The father in Zimbabwe is usually the leader of the family, but the mother also exercises influence in the home More Fashion: Generally speaking, Zimbabweans wear Western-style clothing.

Traditional African dress is reserved for performing or for special occasions, but fashions from More Visiting: Unannounced visits are common.

It is impolite to refuse refreshments or offers of food. Small practical gifts for both More Recreation: Soccer is the most popular sport. Other sports include track and field, cricket, rugby, wrestling and horse racing.

More Cultural Attributes: Zimbabwe has an interesting variety of customs. Humility is an esteemed attribute. Zimbabweans are usually optimistic, courteous and friendly.

More Dating: Public affection, while not widespread, is not uncommon. Under the MOPO bill, the exercise of the right to peaceful assembly is not fully guaranteed, as law enforcement agencies are still given broad regulatory discretion and powers.

Without legal protection, many women could be left homeless or without a means of income after their marriage ends or if their husband dies. The Matrimonial Causes Act technically allows for equitable distribution of property between spouses at divorce, considering direct and indirect contributions, such as raising children and caring for the family and household. But in practice, provisions of this law have not been fully applied and many women lose their property when a marriage ends or the husband dies, while men and their families keep everything.

Section 73 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, punishes consensual same-sex conduct between men with up to one year in prison or a fine or both. This restrictive legislation contributes to stigma and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender LGBT people. In September , the Harare deputy mayor announced that the Harare City Council had shut down its main water treatment plant, known as Morton Jaffray, due to shortages of imported water treatment chemicals and low water levels at Lake Chivero.

This exposed millions of Harare residents to the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera, which have ravaged the city in the past.