Famous Zimbabwean Leaders

Ian Smith was a politician who served as the prime minister of Rhodesia (today known as Zimbabwe) from 1964 to 1979. Born to British immigrants in  the Southern Rhodesian Midlands, he was a controversial figure who personified “White Rhodesia.” While his detractors denounced him as "an unrepentant racist," his supporters hailed him as "a political visionary.” 

Canaan Banana was a Zimbabwean politician, theologian, and Methodist minister. In 1980, Banana became the first president of Zimbabwe, a position which he held until 1987. Ten years later, he made the headlines when he was involved in a highly publicized trial after being accused of being a homosexual. He served six months in prison after being convicted of sodomy.

Zimbabwean politician Joshua Nkomo was founder and leader of ZAPU. He was incarcerated for a decade by white minority government of Rhodesia and following his release, ZAPU along with Robert Mugabe's ZANU contributed to the fall of that government. The two parties later merged to become ZANU–PF. Nkomo served as first Second Vice-President of Zimbabwe with Mugabe as President.

Robert Mugabe was a Zimbabwean revolutionary. He played a major role in the Rhodesian Bush War, which eventually led to the Lancaster House Agreement, resulting in the creation of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Subsequently, Mugabe served as the first prime minister of Zimbabwe and later as its president. A controversial figure, Mugabe is also often criticized for his tyrannical ways.

Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa was a Zimbabwean politician best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia from 1 June 1979 to 18 April 1980. He also served as a bishop at the United Methodist Church (UMC).

Auxillia Mnangagwa is a Zimbabwean politician best known for her service in the Ministry of Manpower and Development. She achieved popularity when she became the Second Lady of Zimbabwe in 2014. Auxillia Mnangagwa is currently serving as the First Lady of her country. 

Ndabaningi Sithole was a Zimbabwean political leader best remembered for founding a militant organization called the Zimbabwe African National Union, which fought against the government of Rhodesia during the 1960s and 1970s. Ndabaningi Sithole was also one of the most prolific authors in Rhodesia; he published 12 books including a novel titled The Polygamist.

Joice Mujuru is a Zimbabwean politician and revolutionary. She is best known for her service as the Vice-President of Zimbabwe from 6 December 2004 to 8 December 2014. She is credited with founding the National People's Party and is currently serving as the president of the party.

Roy Welensky was a Northern Rhodesian political leader who served as the Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland from 2 November 1956 to 31 December 1963. Roy Welensky also worked as a locomotive enginedriver.

Solomon Mujuru was a Zimbabwean politician and military officer. He is best remembered for his role in the Rhodesian Bush War, where he led Robert Mugabe's guerrilla forces. Counted among the most feared Zimbabweans of all time, Solomon Mujuru also served as the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces from 1981 to 1992.

Liberal Rhodesian politician Garfield Todd served as the prime minister of Southern Rhodesia. Born in New Zealand, he later moved to Southern Rhodesia as a Protestant missionary and also opened a clinic there. He lost his political power after his ministers opposed his policy of appeasing Black voters.

Thokozani Khuphe is a Zimbabwean politician and trade unionist. She is best known for her service as the Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe from 11 February 2009 to 13 August 2013. Over the years, Thokozani Khuphe has been an important leader of a centre-left political party called the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai.

Susan Tsvangirai was a Zimbabwean political figure best remembered as the wife of the former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai. She was often viewed as a mother figure who provided moral strength to the country during difficult times.

American-born Zimbabwean politician Trudy Stevenson hadn’t just been the Ambassador to Senegal and The Gambia but had also represented Harare North as a Member of Parliament. She also scripted history as Zimbabwe’s only white female MP in her time and spearheaded the Movement for Democratic Change.

Godfrey Huggins, 1st Viscount Malvern was a Rhodesian physician and politician. He is best remembered for his service as the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia from 12 September 1933 to 7 September 1953. He also served as the first Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland from 7 September 1953 to 2 November 1956.

Former Zimbabwean Air Force commander Perrance Shiri had also served his country as its Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement. A cousin of Zimbabwean revolutionary and former president Robert Mugabe, he later plotted Mugabe’s ouster in 2017. He also proclaimed to be Black Jesus.

Zimbabwean politician Joana Mamombe started her career as a student leader. In spite of being equipped with degrees in biotechnology and molecular biology, she joined politics soon after completing her studies. A Citizens Coalition for Change member, she has been arrested multiple times and even abducted and sexually assaulted once.

Monica Mutsvangwa is a Zimbabwean politician and the current Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services. An important political leader, Monica Mutsvangwa has held cabinet positions in both Robert Mugabe government as well as the Emmerson Mnangagwa government.

Cecilia Chimbiri is a Zimbabwean political figure, human rights defender, and pro-democracy activist. She made headlines in 2020 when she was abducted along with two other women, following their protest against the government's failure during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe. Cecilia Chimbiri and the other women were released two days later after being subjected to torture and rape.

Judith Todd is a Zimbabwean former political activist who was part of the Black Nationalist movement as well as the National Democratic Party. Judith Todd is credited with co-founding a humanitarian organization called Zimbabwe Project Trust, which was founded in 1978 to help Zimbabwean refugees.

Simbarashe Mumbengegwi is a Zimbabwean diplomat and politician. He is the current Senior Advisor to the President of Zimbabwe. An important political leader, Mumbengegwi served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 15 April 2005 to 9 October 2017. In 2017, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi was the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs for a brief period.

Prisca Mupfumira was a Zimbabwean politician who served as the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry from 2017 to 2019. She also served as the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare from 2014 to 2017. In July 2019, Prisca Mupfumira was arrested for corruption, becoming the first ZANU–PF minister to be arrested under the presidency of Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwean politician, minister and lawyer Eddison Zvobgo is noted for playing significant role as Patriotic Front's spokesman in international negotiations at Lancaster House that ended the Rhodesian Bush War and paved-way for the 1980 general elections ahead of Zimbabwe's independence. Zvobgo served several ministries. He made amendments to Zimbabwe's Constitution as first Minister of Parliamentary and Constitutional Affairs of Zimbabwe.  

Gibson Jama Sibanda was a Zimbabwean trade unionist and politician. He is credited with co-founding a political party called the Movement for Democratic Change, which was organized under the direction of Morgan Tsvangirai. At the time of his demise in 2010, Gibson Jama Sibanda was serving as the Minister of State in the Deputy Prime Minister's Office.

Sithembiso Nyoni is a Zimbabwean politician and the current Minister of Women and Youth Affairs. She previously served as the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development. From 2003 to 2014, Sithembiso Nyoni was on the US sanctions list.

Zimbabwean politician Olivia Muchena has held several important ministries of the country, such as those of education, science and technology, and women affairs. She has also taught at institutes such as the University of Zimbabwe. She was fired from the government for supporting deposed vice president Joice Mujuru.

Sekai Holland is a Zimbabwean politician and human rights activist. Over the years, Holland has been involved in many human rights issues, including the rights of women in Zimbabwe. In 2012, Sekai Holland became a recipient of the prestigious Sydney Peace Prize for her efforts in campaigning for democracy and human rights.

Zimbabwean politician Lovemore Madhuku is known for his fight for democracy. He co-founded and served as the president of the National Constituent Assembly. A Cambridge alumnus and a law professor, he authored the iconic book An Introduction to Zimbabwean Law. In 2004, he was awarded the Civil Courage Prize.

Linda Masarira is a Zimbabwean politician and human rights defender. She is best known for her role in promoting democracy, gender balance, equality, women empowerment, and political and economic freedom for the minority. Linda Masarira is credited with founding her own political party called LEAD.

Zimbabwean politician Nicola Watson was born to an MP mother but started her career as an accountant. A Movement for Democratic Change member, she now represents Bulawayo Central in the National Assembly of Zimbabwe. In 2013, she was selected as a designated female MP to maintain proportional representation.

Zimbabwean politician Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga is an Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden. After Movement for Democratic Change split in 2005, Priscilla became part of MDC–M and served as its Secretary General. She represented her party in political negotiations and held-office as Minister of Regional Integration and International Cooperation of Zimbabwe. She serves as MDC chief-representative at COPAC and JOMIC.

Zimbabwean lawyer and politician Jessie Majome has represented Harare West in the National Assembly of Zimbabwe. The Movement for Democratic Change Party leader also received death threats for challenging President Mugabe’s unconstitutional ways. She has received awards for her fight for democracy and human rights.

Victoria Chitepo, better known as the wife of Zimbabwe African National Union leader Herbert Chitepo, is remembered for her fight for Black rights and her association with the National Democratic Party. She had also been a minister of tourism and telecommunications. In 2016, she was found dead in her home.

While she initially trained as a nurse in England, Zimbabwean author and politician Sekai Nzenza then moved to Australia, where she completed her PhD. Known for her book Songs to an African Sunset, she has also been a columnist for The Herald and Zimbabwe’s Public Service Labor and Social Welfare Minister.

The wife of former Zimbabwean minister Patrick Zhuwao, Beauty Zhuwao is a politician in her own right. She has also served on the boards of several organizations, such as Shelter Zimbabwe, and been a director of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. She has also been a treasurer for ZANU–PF.

Zimbabwean war-veteran and political-activist Thenjiwe Lesabe was one of the first members of the Southern Rhodesian African National Congress, one of the first female members of the National Democratic Party (NDP), and leader of ZAPU Women's League.  She became an elected Member of Parliament for Matobo on a PF-Zapu ticket following Zimbabwe’s Independence and served as Deputy Minister of Tourism.

Zimbabwean politician George Nyandoro is best remembered for his fight against the white minority rule in Rhodesia. In spite of dropping out of school by standard 6, he bagged an airline company job, which he refused to join politics. He co-founded the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress.

Zimbabwean activist and politician Julia Tukai Zvobgo, a pioneer of Women's League, was one of the first Zanu-PF cadres who returned to Zimbabwe following the Lancaster House Conference that ended Rhodesian Bush War and paved-way for 1980 general elections ahead of Zimbabwe's independence. She was elected as MP for the Midlands constituency of Zvishavane in 1980 and re-elected in 1985.

Zimbabwean politician Paurina Mpariwa is part of the Pan-African Parliament and is also Zimbabwe’s current Minister of Labor and Social Welfare. The Movement for Democratic Change member has also been serving as the chairperson of various women’s committees and is a Member of House of Assembly, representing Mufakose.