Canaan Banana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Canaan Banana
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Canaan Banana in 1986
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| 1st President of Zimbabwe | |
| In office 18 April 1980 – 31 December 1987 |
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| Prime Minister | Robert Mugabe |
| Preceded by | Josiah Gumede (Zimbabwe Rhodesia) |
| Succeeded by | Robert Mugabe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 March 1936 Essexvale, Southern Rhodesia |
| Died | 10 November 2003 (aged 67) London, United Kingdom |
| Political party | ZANU |
| Spouse |
Janet Mbuyazwe
(m. 1961) |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Minister; professor; politician |
Canaan Sodindo Banana (born March 5, 1936 – died November 10, 2003) was an important leader in Zimbabwe. He was a Methodist church leader, a theologian (someone who studies religion), and a politician. He became the very first President of Zimbabwe when the country gained its independence in 1980.
Banana was Zimbabwe's first head of state. This means he was the country's top leader, though his role was mostly ceremonial at first. He helped lead the country after the Lancaster House Agreement. This agreement led to Zimbabwe becoming an independent nation. In 1987, he stepped down as President. Robert Mugabe, who was the Prime Minister, then became the country's new leader. Mugabe changed the presidency to have more power.
Banana was born in a village called Essexvale (now Esigodini) in Southern Rhodesia. His mother was from the Northern Ndebele people and his father was from Lesotho. He went to a mission school and later studied at Epworth Theological College in Salisbury (now Harare). He became a Methodist minister in 1962. He worked as a minister and school leader for several years.
He became involved in politics against colonial rule. He spoke out against the white-minority government of Rhodesia led by Ian Smith. This government had declared independence in 1965. Banana became a Vice-President of the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress. But he soon had to leave Rhodesia for his safety. He lived in Japan and then in the United States. He studied at Wesley Theological Seminary there.
When he returned to Rhodesia in 1975, he was put in prison for a while. In 1976, he went with Robert Mugabe to the Geneva Conference. In 1979, he attended the Lancaster House Conference in London. This meeting led to Zimbabwe's independence and a government where the majority ruled. In 1980, he became the country's first President. He stepped down in 1987. After this, he worked as a diplomat for the Organisation of African Unity. He also taught at the University of Zimbabwe. He played a big part in bringing together two main political groups, ZAPU and ZANU. They joined in 1988 to form ZANU–PF, which is still the ruling party in Zimbabwe. This merger helped bring peace and unity to the country.
As President, he faced some challenges. A law was even passed in 1982. It stopped people in Zimbabwe from making jokes about his last name. However, many people respected him for his role in Zimbabwe's fight for freedom. They also respected him for helping unite the political parties. After he passed away, Robert Mugabe called him "a rare gift to the nation."
Contents
Early Life and Education
Canaan Banana was born on March 5, 1936. This was near Essexvale, which is now called Esigodini. It is in Matabeleland, Southern Rhodesia. His mother was from the Northern Ndebele people. His father was from the Sotho people and had moved from Lesotho.
He went to the local Mzinyati mission school. Then he finished his high school at Tegwani High School in Plumtree. Later, he studied to become a teacher. He also earned a degree in theology. He got this from Epworth Theological College in Salisbury (now Harare). In 1962, he became a United Methodist minister.
From 1962 to 1966, he worked as a minister. He was also a chaplain and a school leader. He worked in Wankie (now Hwange) and Plumtree. In 1969, he was chosen to lead the Bulawayo Council of Churches. He held this job until 1971. From 1970 to 1973, he led a group for the All Africa Conference of Churches. This group helped churches in southern Africa. They learned how to help people in cities and industrial areas. During this time, he was also part of a committee for the World Council of Churches.
Getting Involved in Politics
In the 1960s and 1970s, Banana started working in politics. He spoke out against the white-minority government in Rhodesia. He taught about a type of black liberation theology. This idea combines faith with the fight for freedom. He wrote a book called The Gospel According to the Ghetto. It had a special version of the Lord's Prayer. It started with "Our Father who art in the Ghetto." He believed in a Christian idea of socialism. He said that "when I see a guerilla, I see Jesus Christ."
In 1971, the British government tried to make a deal. They talked with Rhodesia's leader, Ian Smith. The deal was to move towards "majority rule." This meant more people would have a say in the government. In return, sanctions (penalties) against Rhodesia would end. Banana and another church leader, Bishop Abel Muzorewa, formed a group. It was called the United African National Council (UANC). They were against this deal.
The plan for a public vote was stopped. The UANC became a well-known political party. Other groups, like Ndabaningi Sithole's Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and Joshua Nkomo's Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU), worked with the UANC. ZANU and ZAPU used guerrilla fighters in the Rhodesian Bush War. But the UANC did not support violence. So, it was the only legal black political party in Rhodesia. Banana was the Vice-President of the UANC from 1971 to 1973.
Even though Banana and the UANC were more moderate, they still faced problems. Many UANC leaders were arrested. Banana had to leave Rhodesia with his family. First, he went to Botswana. Then he went to Japan and studied at Kansai University. Finally, he moved to the United States. He lived in Washington, D.C. from 1973 to 1975. There, he represented the UANC to the United States and the United Nations. He also studied at Wesley Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Theology degree.
Becoming President of Zimbabwe
When many UANC members were arrested, Banana and his family left the country. They did not return until 1975. When Banana came back, he was arrested. He was released a year later. He was kept under house arrest for a time. Then he was allowed to join Abel Muzorewa's plans for the country. However, he decided to join ZANU instead. This group was led by Robert Mugabe. ZANU wanted to remove the Smith government. Banana returned to Rhodesia in December 1976. He was arrested again for supporting ZANU. He was released when Lord Soames became the Governor of Southern Rhodesia.
Under Zimbabwe's new constitution, Banana became the first president in 1980. His role was mostly ceremonial. This means he was the official head of state, but the Prime Minister had more power. In 1987, Robert Mugabe took over his post. Mugabe made the presidency an executive role, meaning it had more power.
After his presidency, Banana became a diplomat. He worked for the Organisation of African Unity. He also led the religious department at the University of Zimbabwe. He played a big part in bringing together the two main groups that fought for independence. These were ZANU and ZAPU. They joined to form the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front in 1988. This merger helped to unite the country.
Later Life and Passing
On November 10, 2003, Canaan Banana passed away from cancer. He died in London. He was buried in Zimbabwe later that month. President Robert Mugabe spoke about him on the radio. He called Banana "a rare gift to the nation."
Family Life
Canaan Banana married Janet Mbuyazwe in 1961.
See also
In Spanish: Canaan Sodindo Banana para niños
