Leopold Takawira

Leopold Takawira (* 1916 in Chirumanzi, Victoria District, Southern Rhodesia, † 1970 in prison in Salisbury, now Harare, Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe ) was one of the pioneers of Unanhängigkeit Zimbabwe. His African name was also Shumba yeChirumanzi.

Life

Takawira went into Chirumanzi to school and received spätzer teacher training in Mariannhill in Natal in the Union of South Africa. He was first an assistant teacher and later head of the Chipembere Gouvernment School in Highfield ( Rhodesia ), one of the first townships in Salisbury, now Harare. In the 1950s he became a clerk in the Capricorn Africa Society of Colonel David Stirling and gave the teaching profession on.

Political career

After the Rhodesian African National Congress was banned by the British colonial authorities in Southern Rhodesia, there were 1959 establishing the National Democratic Party (NDP ). Takawira 1960 elected chairman of the district Salisbury of the party and member of the Central Party Executive Board. On July 19, 1960 he was arrested along with other leading fighters under the accusation that they were among the prohibited National Congress on. After the arrest of party members, there were riots in Salisbury.

On September 21, 1960 Takawira was elected provisional president of the party, but lost the election to the presidency in November 1960 against Joshua Nkomo. Nkomo sent Takawira then as Head of the International Relations of the party to London. Takawira in 1961 protesting against the policy of the NDP leadership from London. This led to a policy change in the party. 1961 Takawira founding member of the Zimbabwe African People's Union ( ZAPU ), the successor to the NDP. Also in the ZAPU he was the responsible for foreign policy board member.

Takawiras dissatisfaction with politics Nkomo led to his expulsion from the party in July 1963. Subsequently, he joined the apostate faction under Ndabaningi Sithole on. It was in August 1963 Deputy Chairman of the Zimbabwe African National Union ( ZANU ).

Arrest and death

The end of 1964 Takawira was arrested and detained along with Joshua Nkomo, Ndabaningi Sithole, Robert Mugabe and Edgar Tekere in Sikombele. After the Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Rhodesia in 1965 by the regime of Ian Smith, he was transferred to the prison in Salisbury. He died there in 1970, probably due to the consequences of non-observance of his diabetes by the prison administration.

Takawira is on the Heroes Acre in the Zimbabwe National Monument outside of Harare.

  • Politicians (Africa)
  • Born 1916
  • Died in 1970
  • Man
Natal Province
507879
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