Constantino Chiwenga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Constantino Chiwenga
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Chiwenga in 2024
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| First Vice-President of Zimbabwe | |
| Assumed office 28 December 2017 |
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| President | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Preceded by | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Minister of Health and Child Care | |
| In office 4 August 2020 – 11 September 2023 |
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| President | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Preceded by | Obadiah Moyo |
| Succeeded by | Douglas Mombeshora |
| Minister of Defence and War Veterans | |
| In office 29 December 2017 – 11 September 2018 |
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| President | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Preceded by | Kembo Mohadi |
| Succeeded by | Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri |
| Vice-President and Second Secretary of ZANU-PF | |
| Assumed office 23 December 2017 Serving with Kembo Mohadi
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| President | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Preceded by | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces | |
| In office December 2003 – 19 December 2017 |
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| President | Robert Mugabe Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Preceded by | Vitalis Zvinavashe |
| Succeeded by | Philip Valerio Sibanda |
| Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army | |
| In office 1994 – December 2003 |
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| President | Robert Mugabe |
| Succeeded by | Philip Valerio Sibanda |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Constantine Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga
25 August 1956 Wedza, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (now Hwedza, Zimbabwe) |
| Political party | ZANU–PF |
| Spouses |
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| Education | Political science |
| Nickname | Dominic Chinenge |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Zimbabwe Defence Forces |
| Branch/service | Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (1973–1980) Zimbabwe National Army (1981–2017) |
| Years of service | 1973–2017 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Rhodesian Bush War |
Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga was born on August 25, 1956. He is a politician and former army general from Zimbabwe. Since 2017, he has served as the First Vice-President of Zimbabwe. He works alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
In August 2020, he also became the Minister of Health. He is also a Vice-President of the ruling political party, Zimbabwean African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). In 2017, he played a key role in the events that led to the change in leadership in Zimbabwe. This event saw Robert Mugabe, who had been president for 37 years, step down.
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About Constantino Chiwenga
Early Life and Education
Constantino Chiwenga was born in 1956 in the Wedza District of Mashonaland East Province. He attended St Mary's Mission in Hwedza. He studied up to O Level, which is a common school qualification. Later, in 2015, he earned a PhD in Ethics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. On July 29, 2016, he officially changed his name to Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga.
Family Life
Chiwenga has been married several times. In 1998, he married Jocelyn Jacobsen. They divorced in 2012. In 2011, he married Marry Mubaiwa, a former model. They had two children together, a son born in 2012 and a daughter born in 2013. They divorced in 2019. In June 2022, Chiwenga married Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi, who is a member of the Zimbabwe National Army.
Military Career
Joining the Liberation War
Chiwenga joined the fight for Zimbabwe's independence in 1973. He received his training in Mozambique as a fighter for ZANLA. During the war, he used the name "Dominic Chinenge." He rose through the ranks and became a Provincial Commander. Later, in 1978, he was promoted to a higher leadership position within ZANLA.
Service in the Zimbabwe National Army
In 1981, after Zimbabwe gained independence, he joined the new Zimbabwe National Army. He started as a brigadier and commanded the First Brigade in Bulawayo. He was later promoted to the rank of major general. At this time, he began using his original name, Constantine Chiwenga, again.
In 1994, when the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) were formed, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. He was appointed as the commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). In 2004, he became the Commander of the entire Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
He also chaired the Joint Operations Command. This group includes the leaders of the army, prison services, intelligence, police, and air force. He was involved in the land reform program in Zimbabwe. He retired from the army on December 19, 2017.
Political Roles
Becoming Vice-President
On December 28, 2017, Constantino Chiwenga was sworn in as a co-Vice President of Zimbabwe. He serves alongside Kembo Mohadi. The day after, he was also appointed as the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs.
Role in the 2017 Political Transition
In November 2017, there was a political situation in Zimbabwe. The Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, was removed from his position by President Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa left the country. Chiwenga, who was visiting China, learned that he might be arrested upon his return. However, soldiers loyal to Chiwenga helped him return safely to Zimbabwe on November 12, 2017.
On November 13, 2017, Chiwenga spoke out against the removal of government officials. He warned that the military might have to step in if the situation did not improve. The next day, soldiers and military vehicles were seen heading towards the capital city, Harare. Roads were blocked, including those leading to President Mugabe's home.
Early on November 15, a military spokesperson announced on TV that the military had not taken over the country. He said the president and his family were safe. He explained that the military was targeting "criminals" around Mugabe who were causing problems. Several politicians and government ministers were detained.
Minister of Health and Child Care
In August 2020, Chiwenga was appointed as the Minister of Health and Child Care. He took over from Obadiah Moyo. At the time, the health department faced challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January 2021, he spoke at the funerals of several important figures who had died from COVID-19. He called for everyone to work together to fight the virus.
Recent Developments
In September 2023, after parliamentary elections, he was reappointed as the First Vice President.
On March 4, 2024, the United States placed sanctions on Chiwenga and other Zimbabwean officials. These sanctions were related to concerns about human rights and corruption.
See also
In Spanish: Constantino Chiwenga para niños
