On this day in 1924, a revolutionary and politician Robert Gabriel Mugabe was born in Kutama, Southern Rhodesia (present day Zimbabwe). Mugabe played a greater role in the formation of ZANU, served the country as Prime Minister from 1980 up to when he became the second President of the independent Zimbabwe in 1987. He resigned as president in November after a military intervention. Mugabe died in 2019.
On this day in 1924, the late poet and novelist Solomon Mutswairo was born in Mazowe District, Zimbabwe. He grew up In Zambia did his University of Fort Hare, South Africa as well as United States. Mutswairo is the one who wrote the text of the Zimbabwean national anthem “Simudzai Mureza weZimbabwe”. He died in 2005 at the age of 91.
On this day in 1929, freedom fighter Tarcisius Malan George Silundika was born in Bulilimangwe District of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Cde Silundika joined politics in the 1950s while at a South African University, he was a member of both the African National Council (ANC) and National Democratic Party (NDP) before they were banned. At the formation of ZAPU, Silundika was sent to Zambia to plan the first stages of the liberation struggle. After independence he became the first Minister of Roads, Posts and Telecommunications. He died in 1981 at the age of 52.
On this day in 1932, former Chief Justice Antony Ray Bubbay was born in England. He studied in South Africa before emmigrating to Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) where he worked. In 1977, he was sworn in as a High Court judge and 1989, he was sworn in as the Supreme Court judge, a position which he served until his resignation in 2001. He was succeeded by Godfrey Chidyausiku.
On this day in 1936, the first black president of independent Zimbabwe Canaan Banana was born in Matebeleland. He was also an ordained Methodist Minister as well as a theologian. Canaan Banana died in 2003 at the age of 67.
On this day in 1944, a freedom fighter and politician Ambrose Mutinhiri was born in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). After his retirement as army commander and brigadier, Mutinhiri served as the Minister of Youth Development, Gender and Employment Creation.
On this day in 1947, Godfrey Gawu Chidyausiku was born in Domboshava, Zimbabwe. He was a politician as well as a chief judge appointed in 2001 and he retired early 2017. He died a few months after retirement at the age of 70.
On this day in 1952, Morgan Richard Tsvangirai was born in Buhera, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Tsvangirai was a Zimbabwean politician who the Movement for Democratic Change party (MDC) in 1999 and served as the country’s Prime Minister from 2009 to 2013. He died in 2018 at the age of 65.
On this day in 1953, Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) joined Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi) to form the federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. This federation was dissolved in January 1964.
Nicholas Raymond Leige Price, a professional Zimbabwean professional was born on this day. Nick’s mother is English and his mother Welsh. He was born in Durban, South Africa but he spent his early life in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), where he attended Prince Edward school in Harare.
Roy Leslie Bennett was born on this day in 1957. Bennett was a Zimbabwean politician and a member of the British South Africa company Police. In Chimanimani, he was nicknamed “Pachedu” (Amongst Us). He died early 2018 at the age of sixty.
On this day in 1965, Fortune Chasi a Zimbabwean politician was born in Mazowe. He is also a partner at Chasi, Mlotshwa & Co. Law Firm in Harare.
On this day in 1968, legendary sungura icon Tongai Moyo was born in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. Tongai Moyo often referred to as Dhewa rose to prominence in music in the 1990s. He died in 2011 at the age of 43.
On this day in 1981, a gospel artist Takesure Zamar Ncube was born in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe. Takesure has won several awards in the gospel music industry. He is now based in South Africa.
On this day in 1981, actor and poet Tongayi Arnold Chirisa was born in Zimbabwe. He graduated with a National Diploma as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree at AFDA, The School for Creative Economy. Chirisa rose to prominence when he played Detective Davies in the Zimbabwean soapie Studio 263 and also starred Mr Bones 2: Back from the past as Hekule. He has also featured on several television series internationally.
On this day in 1983, a reggae dance-hall artist Wallace Chirumiko popularly known as Winky D was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. At a tender age, He developed interests in reggae music. Till date, Winky D is recognized worldwide due to his international tours and several awards he scooped in the industry.
On this day in 1987, Vimbai Mutinhiri was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. Vimbai is an actress, model as well as television personality who started her career at the age of fifteen (15).
On this day in 1990, Elvis Chipezeze was born in Zimbabwe. Chipezeze is a footballer who plays for the Zimbabwean national team as well as South Africa”s Baroka F.C as a goalkeeper.
On this day in 1997, swimmer Peter Wetzlar was born in Zimbabwe. Peter represented the country at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships held in South Korea.
On this day in 1998, Trevor Gwandu was born in Zimbabwe. Trevor is a cricketer who plays for the Midwest Rhinos.
On this day in 2000, Robin Cook, Britain’s Foreign secretary condemned the government of Zimbabwe for its land re-distribution program.
On this day in 2004, retired army commander and brigadier Ambrose Mutinhiri was appointed the role of Minister of Youth Development, Gender and Employment Creation by his excellency president Robert Mugabe. He retired soon after the resignation of Mugabe in 2017.
On this day in 2007, Gift Tandare a member and activist of the MDC party was shot dead by the Zimbabwe police at a rally in Harare.
On this day in 2009, Morgan Tsvangirai together with his wife Susan Tsvangirai were involved in an accident. The accident took place on the Harare-Masvingo highway as they were on their way to Buhera. Susan died on the accident scene whereas Morgan survived with injuries.
The European Union revokes the economic sanctions imposed on thirty-five individuals of Zimbabwe on this day in 2011.
On this day in 2018, Winky D launched his album titled Gombwe at the Harare International Conference Center (HICC) in Zimbabwe. His performance was striking as he took fans down the memory lane singing his old songs. He also appeared on stage dressed in black holding a rod before he changed and wore a white garment to perform another song which featured Vabati vaJehovha. Socialite Genius Kadungure and businessman Albert Nyabambi placed $40 000 and $30 000 bids respectively for the auctioned disc, in total Winky D walked away with $70 000 for the disc.
On this day in 2020, Tropical Cyclone passed through Central Mozambique heading torwads Zimbabwe. In Zimbabwe the government prepared evacuation centres and flash prone areas which included major river catchment areas in Manicaland Province.
On this day in 1940, the secretary and commander of the ZANLA troops Josiah Magama Tongogara was born in Selukwe (Shurugwi), Zimbabwe. Tongogara. He started his revolutionary activities in Zambia in 1963. His commitment towards the army led to his appointment army commander in 1972. General Tongogara died in 1979 at the age of 41.