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 Chiwenga (born August 25, 1956) is a well-known politician and former army general in Zimbabwe. Since 2017, he has served as the First Vice-President of Zimbabwe, working alongside President Emmerson Mnangagwa. In 2020, he also took on the role of Minister of Health.
He is also a Vice-President of the ruling Zimbabwean African National Union–Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party. In 2017, he played a key role in the events that led to the change in leadership in Zimbabwe.
Contents
Constantino Chiwenga: A Leader in Zimbabwe
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, where he completed his O Level education. Later, in 2015, he earned a PhD in Ethics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In 2016, he officially changed his name to Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga.
Chiwenga is married to Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi, who is also a member of the Zimbabwe National Army.
Role in the Rhodesian Bush War
Chiwenga joined the fight for independence in 1973. He received military training in Mozambique as a ZANLA fighter. During this time, he used the war name "Dominic Chinenge." He quickly moved up in the ranks, becoming a Provincial Commander for the Masvingo/Gaza Province. By 1978, he was promoted to the High Command as the ZANLA Deputy Political Commissar.
Military Career in Independent Zimbabwe
After Zimbabwe gained independence, Chiwenga joined the new Zimbabwe National Army in 1981. He started as a brigadier and commanded the First Brigade in Bulawayo. He was later promoted to the rank of major general and began using his original name, Constantine Chiwenga.
In 1994, when the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) were formed, he was promoted to Lieutenant General. He was appointed commander of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA). In 2004, he became the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces after General Vitalis Zvinavashe retired.
Chiwenga 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 and owns a successful farm near Harare.
In December 2017, the government announced that Chiwenga would retire from the army. He officially retired on December 19, 2017.
Political Roles and Appointments
On December 28, 2017, Constantino Chiwenga was sworn in as the First Vice-President of Zimbabwe. He serves alongside Kembo Mohadi, who is the Second Vice-President. The day after, he was also appointed as the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs.
In August 2020, Chiwenga was appointed Minister of Health and Child Care. He took over this role after the previous minister was removed from office. In this position, he has worked to improve the country's health system.
In January 2021, he led the burial service for three important figures who had died from COVID-19. He called for unity in fighting the virus and has been involved in the country's efforts to address the pandemic.
Following the parliamentary elections in September 2023, he was reappointed as First Vice President.
The 2017 Change in Leadership
In November 2017, there was a political situation in Zimbabwe when Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa was removed from his position by President Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa left the country shortly after.
Around the same time, Chiwenga was visiting China. When he returned to Zimbabwe, soldiers loyal to him helped ensure his safe arrival.
On November 13, 2017, Chiwenga spoke out against the removal of government officials within the ruling ZANU-PF party. He warned that the armed forces might have to step in if the situation did not improve. In response, a ZANU-PF spokesperson accused Chiwenga of serious misconduct.
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 and the national broadcaster. Early on November 15, a military spokesperson announced on TV that the military had not taken over the country. He stated that President Mugabe and his family were safe. He also said that the military was focusing on "criminals" around Mugabe who were causing problems in the country. Several politicians and government ministers were later detained.
International Attention
Before these events, Chiwenga had visited China to meet with top Chinese military leaders. This visit led to some discussion about whether China had any involvement in the changes that followed. However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that Chiwenga's visit was a "normal military exchange" and denied any involvement.
See also
In Spanish: Constantino Chiwenga para niños
