Mugabe timeline

Compiled by Beaven Dhliwayo
Zimbabwe received sad news of the passing on of the country’s founding father and former president, Robert Mugabe.

Cde Mugabe was an icon of the liberation struggle, a pan-Africanist who devoted his life to the empowerment of Zimbabweans.

Below is the timeline of some of the events in his life.

1924 — Cde Mugabe is born in the then Rhodesia on February 21.

1940s-1950s — He is educated at Catholic schools and went to University of Fort Hare in South Africa. He became a teacher in Zambia and Ghana. He is swayed into African independence movement by leaders of that time.

1960s — Cde Mugabe begins campaigning for the liberation of Zimbabwe and was incarcerated in 1964 because of the crusades. Whilst in prison he graduated with two law degrees from the University of London External Programme.

1974 — On release, he fled to Mozambique, established his leadership of Zimbabwe African National Union, and oversaw ZANU’s role in the liberation war, fighting Ian Smith’s predominantly white government.

1979 — He took part in the peace negotiations brokered by the United Kingdom that resulted in the Lancaster House Agreement.

1980 — The agreement ended the war and resulted in the 1980 general election, at which Cde Mugabe led Zanu-PF to victory.

1987 — Cde Mugabe became the President of Zimbabwe with executive powers following the amendment of the Constitution.

1987 — Successfully negotiated for unity with former Vice President Joshua Nkomo, which resulted in the formation of a united Zanu-PF.

1990 — Cde Mugabe wins both parliamentary and presidential elections.

2000 — Land reform programme begins

2001 — West imposes sanctions on Cde Mugabe and the country in response to the land reform

2002 — Cde Mugabe wins a presidential vote.

2008 — Cde Mugabe wins presidential elections and the subsequent run-off

2009 — Cde Mugabe forms a Government of National Unity with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change

2013 — Cde Mugabe wins another presidential vote.

2017 — Cde Mugabe resigns amid proceedings by Parliament to impeach him, paving way for President Mnangagwa, the man he had fired as his deputy two weeks earlier, to take over.

September 6, 2019 — He dies at 95.