zimbabwe

• republic of zimbabwe, country in the south of africa
the republic of zimbabwe is a country in southern africa. it was formerly known as rhodesia. it was governed by british royal charter from 1889 until 1923, when it became a self-governing colony. in 1965 the prime minister, ian smith, made a unilateral declaration of independence. he belonged to the conservative rhodesian front, which aimed to preserve the political power of the white minority (1%). in the 1960s and 1970s several political and guerrilla organizations fought to achieve power for the black majority. zapu (zimbabwe african people's union) was led by joshua nkomo. zanu (zimbabwe african national union) was led by reverend ndabaningi sithole and, after 1975, by robert mugabe. the anc (african national council) was led by bishop abel muzorewa. in 1979 the lancaster house conference successfully negotiated zimbabwe's transition to full independence and black majority rule in 1980. robert mugabe was prime minister from 1980 to 1987, and became president in 1987. zimbabwe is a member of the commonwealth and the organization of african unity. it exports tobacco and other agricultural products, gold and other minerals. large foreign debts and high inflation are serious economic problems.