Rhodesia-Zimbabwe

Rhodesia-Zimbabwe Shona: Rhodesia Zimbabwe
File:R-Z Flag Official Flag Coat of Arms
Mottos: 'Unity, Freedom, Work' and 'Sit Nomine Digna'
Anthem: 'God Save the Queen'
Capital: N/A
Official Languages: 16 languages: Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan (presumably Tsoa), Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa

The state of Rhodesia-Zimbabwe (/roʊˈdiːʒə zɪmˈbɑːbweɪ/), informally known as Rhodesia, Free Zimbabwe or R-Z, is a landlocked micronation which is a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth of Rhodesia-Zimbabwe, Chief of Chiefs, as Monarch. The state is the democratic alternative to the Mugabe-style republic, and claims to be the natural successor to the British Colony of Southern Rhodesia. The state claims sovereignty over land claims in the Republic of Zimbabwe. The state has not yet had formal recognition as a Commonwealth Realm.

Etymology

The term "Rhodesia" was first used to refer to the region by white settlers in the 1890s who informally named their new home after Cecil Rhodes, the company's founder and managing director. It was used in newspapers from 1891 and was made official by the British South African Company in 1895. The name "Zimbabwe" stems from a Shona term for Great Zimbabwe, an ancient city in the country's south-east whose remains are now a protected site. Two different theories address the origin of the word. Many sources hold that "Zimbabwe" derives from dzimba-dza-mabwe, translated from the Karanga dialect of Shona as "houses of stones" (dzimba = plural of imba, "house"; mabwe = plural of bwe, "stone").[31][32][33] The Karanga-speaking Shona people live around Great Zimbabwe in the modern-day province of Masvingo. Archaeologist Peter Garlake claims that "Zimbabwe" represents a contracted form of dzimba-hwe, which means "venerated houses" in the Zezuru dialect of Shona and usually references chiefs' houses or graves.

History

Main article: History of Rhodesia' After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade Britain to grant independence, the Southern Rhodesian government announced the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on 11 November 1965. Smith had sought to retain Rhodesia's link with the British monarchy by keeping Queen Elizabeth II as nominal head of state, but she refused to accept the title of Queen of Rhodesia, and Sir Humphrey Gibbs, still internationally recognised as the only legal authority in Rhodesia, refused to recognise Smith's authority. Smith responded by ignoring Sir Humphrey and appointing the Deputy Prime Minister Dupont, as the Officer Administrating the Government (best described as an interim Governor). The Rhodesian Front held power from 1962 until 1979, forming the majority in a parliament, in which 50 of the 66 seats were reserved for the white minority of the country. It was a broadly populist party with support mainly from the working class and recent immigrants. The main white opposition was the Rhodesia Party which had support from the business elite, the professional class and from second or third generation Rhodesians. There were two areas of political life: that of race, and that of all other policies. Economically, at least, the government's policies were quite liberal. Thus, many state benefits were provided to the white minority. The black opposition conversely wanted an end to racial discrimination within the state and absolute political equality for all races. Outside of the area of race, that is, economically and socially, it was more conservative. It advocated less government interference in the economy and free trade. In May 1965, the Rhodesian Front Party again won the general election.

By the time of the early 1970s, the issue of race began to dominate all others and the regime started to repress its white opponents. By 1975, although officially democratic, the regime had started to lock up even peaceful opponents of white domination. Black Rhodesians regarded their legal situation as morally unjustifiable and wanted full equality. From August 1964 to December 1974, Robert Mugabe was imprisoned without trial. Although legal, it was emblematic of a regime that disregarded human rights as part of its fight against terrorism.

Both ZAPU and ZANU began campaigns of guerrilla warfare around 1966. Initially, it was rather sporadic, limited in its scope and consequences. It increased dramatically after 1972, causing destruction, economic dislocation, casualties, and a slump in white morale. In 1974, the major African nationalists groups were united into the "Patriotic Front" and combined their military forces, at least nominally. These guerrilla raids led to escalation in white emigration from Rhodesia. This violent struggle became known as the Rhodesian Bush War, lasting from 1966 to 1979. Atrocities were committed by both sides. The government labelled its opponents terrorists and saw itself as legitimate. ZAPU and ZANU saw themselves as freedom fighters and saw the government as tyrannical. The guerrilla movement had a communist ideology and was partially funded by the Soviet Union and China. Initially, the war was very one-sided since the Rhodesian government was able to deploy an overwhelming superiority in manpower, firepower and mobility. Containing the insurgency required little more than police action.

In April 1970, a general election was held with the Rhodesian Front easily winning. Ian Smith portrayed his government as not being racialist, and sought to postpone the question of what to do about the problems in the farming industry until after the election. Indeed, he was able to do so because more radical and more racist parties had at that time been formed and stood in the election. In 1979, some special forces units were accused of using counter terrorist operations as cover for ivory poaching and smuggling. Colonel Reid-Daly (commander of the Selous Scouts) was court martialled and dismissed for insubordination. Meanwhile, support for ZANU-PF was growing amongst the black soldiers who made up 70% of the Rhodesian army. By the end of 1978, the need to cut a deal was apparent to most Rhodesians, but not to all. Ian Smith had dismissed his intransigent Defence Minister, P. K. van der Byl, as early as 1976. "PK" had been a hard-line opponent of any form of compromise with domestic opposition or the international community since before UDI. Van der Byl was quoted as saying, "it is better to fight to the last man and the last cartridge and die with some honour. Because, what is being presented to us here is a degree of humiliation ..."

PK eventually retired to his country estate outside Cape Town, but there were elements in Rhodesia, mainly embittered former security force personnel, who forcibly opposed majority rule up to and well beyond independence. New white immigrants continued to arrive in Rhodesia right up to the eve of independence. For a brief spell of time, Rhodesia became the recognized state of Zimbabwe Rhodesia, a peaceful and democratic state. From 1979-1980, British Rule was rightfully returned, until the country declared independence as the Republic of Zimbabwe, led by Robert Mugabe. In 2020, people angry with the failings of the Republic of Zimbabwe heralded their support for Rhodesia-Zimbabwe, a new democratic, unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy, returning a few of the Colonial-era flags and coats of arms, while still celebrating and promoting it's rich culture. The State also holds High Commissions in the United Kingdom, Singapore and Canada. They also have Embassies located in Burma (Myanmar), Spain, The Netherlands, Ireland and France.

Government and Politics

The government is a constitutional monarchy, with a bicameral government, which follows the Westminster System. The upper house, the House of Lords, consists of the Lord Chancellor, and all peers of the realm. The lower house, House of Commons, consists of the Cabinet Ministers, including the PM, HM Loyal Opposition and a speaker.

The current government is chaired by Alexander B. Stewart, leader of the Conservative, Unionist & African Party. The party holds a majority of seats in the House of Commons elected through first-past-the-post voting with 18 seats, with 12 seats required for a majority. The current Prime Minister is Alexander B. Stewart, and has been since January 2021.