Aeneas Chigwedere facts for kids

Aeneas Soko Chigwedere (25 November 1939 – 22 January 2021) was an important person in Zimbabwe. He was a politician, a historian, and an educator. He also served as a traditional leader.

Mr. Chigwedere was the Minister of Education, Sports, and Culture starting in August 2001. Later, in August 2008, he became the Governor of Mashonaland East Province. He passed away in January 2021 due to complications from COVID-19.

Early Life

Aeneas Chigwedere was born in the Hwedza district of Zimbabwe. His father was a teacher and a farm foreman. His mother was a farmer.

His grandfather was a Chief in their area. This meant his family had a long history of leadership. Aeneas went to several schools, including Chigwedere School and Goromonzi High School.

Studying History

In 1962, Chigwedere went to the University of London. He was one of the first African students to study History there. He graduated in 1964.

He felt it was his duty to write a true history of Zimbabwe. He started studying the Chimurenga war of 1896–97. This was a war against colonial rule.

Other historians had said the war was not organized. But Chigwedere believed it was a planned national war. He said it was led by chiefs and inspired by traditional spirits. He wanted to show that the war aimed to bring back Zimbabwean rule.

His work helped people understand pre-colonial Zimbabwean history better. He showed how to study history using old stories and traditions.

Books by Aeneas Chigwedere

Chigwedere wrote several books about history:

• From Mutapa to Rhodes (1980): This book explains the history of Zimbabwe before colonial times. It shows how different groups in Zimbabwe are connected.
• Birth of Bantu Africa (1982): This book traces the origins of many tribes in Southern Africa.
• The Karanga Empire (1985): This book looks at the history of the Tongas and Kalangas.

He also wrote other books, including:

• Lobola: Pros and Cons (1982)
• The Forgotten Heroes of Chimurenga I (1991)
• The Abandoned Adolescents (1996)
• British Betrayal of the Africans: Land, Cattle and Human Rights (2002)

He wrote a series of history textbooks for high schools in Zimbabwe. He also shared history on radio and television.

His Work in Education

Chigwedere started as a high school teacher in 1965. He taught at Fletcher and Highfield schools. Most of his teaching career was at Goromonzi High School.

He became the first black headmaster and principal of Goromonzi High School in 1977. He stayed there until 1986. Goromonzi was a very important school. Many of his students later became ministers, business leaders, and important people in Zimbabwe.

He helped start the National Association of Secondary School Headmasters. He was also the first Regional Chair for Mashonaland. He served on the board of the National Museums and Monuments.

From 1987 to 1995, Chigwedere worked as a Deputy and then Regional Director of Education. He retired early to focus on politics.

Political Career

Chigwedere joined the ZANU political party in 1964. He became involved in local party structures. In 1995, he won the Wedza parliamentary seat. He was re-elected to parliament in 2000 and 2005. In 2008, he became a senator.

In 1996, he led a ZANU PF group looking at education reform. In 2000, he became the Deputy Minister of Education. In August 2001, he became the Minister of Education, Sport and Culture. This was a very big ministry.

His job was to make sure education helped Zimbabwe's needs. He also worked to connect culture with education. He helped organize schools in new farming areas.

In August 2008, President Robert Mugabe appointed him Governor of Mashonaland East Province. He also continued as acting Minister of Education, Sport and Culture.

Traditional Leader

Aeneas Chigwedere came from a senior family of the Svosve Chieftainship. This chieftainship has old ties to the Mutapas, who were national rulers.

The Svosve Chieftainship covers a large area. This includes Marondera and Wedza. In March 2008, Chigwedere officially became Headman Svosve Mubayiwa. He received traditional items for his role. He appointed a council to help him rule while he was still in political office.