James Chikerema facts for kids

James Robert Dambaza Chikerema (born April 2, 1925 – died March 22, 2006) was an important leader in Zimbabwe's fight for independence. He was the President of the Front for the Liberation of Zimbabwe. Later in the 1970s, he changed his mind about using armed struggle. Instead, he supported a peaceful agreement to share power in the government.

Early Life and Activism

James Chikerema was born at Kutama Mission in Zvimba, which is now in Mashonaland West province. He grew up very close to his nephew, Robert Mugabe, who was born in the same place. Chikerema went to school at St. Francis Xavier College in Kutama and also studied in South Africa.

He became the leader of the Southern Rhodesia National Youth League. In 1956, he led a bus boycott. This was a protest by African people because they had very little say in how the country was run. The voting system in Rhodesia made it hard for Africans to vote.

Chikerema also helped start Cold Comfort Farm. This project aimed to teach better farming methods to Africans. He worked with people like Didymus Mutasa and George Nyandoro. They then formed the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC wanted more people to be able to vote. However, the government banned the group within two years.

Working with Joshua Nkomo

In 1957, Chikerema joined Joshua Nkomo to create the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress. This group pushed for big changes in the country. Even though it was not a violent group, the government of Southern Rhodesia banned it in 1960. Its leaders, including Chikerema, were sent away to the Gokwe area.

When the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress was banned, Nkomo started the National Democratic Party. Chikerema stayed with him. When this new party was also banned, Nkomo and Chikerema launched the Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU). The government banned ZAPU too, but it continued to work secretly. In 1963, the new government led by Winston Field removed the travel restrictions on Nkomo and Chikerema.

Later, in February 1963, Chikerema and Nkomo were arrested. They were accused of taking part in an illegal march. Their lawyer, Herbert Chitepo, defended them. Chikerema was found guilty and sentenced to six months in prison, but this decision was later overturned.

Leading ZAPU from Exile

While Nkomo was in prison, Chikerema went to Zambia. There, he became the acting President of ZAPU. He believed that all adults in Southern Rhodesia should vote on whether the country should become independent. He disagreed with the government using the House of Chiefs to get opinions from Africans.

When Ian Smith's government threatened to declare independence without Britain's approval (called UDI), Chikerema said ZAPU was ready to fight. He warned of a "campaign of terror" that would start by attacking white farms. After UDI happened, Chikerema led ZAPU's guerrilla war.

Forming FROLIZI

In 1971, ZAPU split. Chikerema then joined a new group called the Front for the Liberation of Zimbabwe (FROLIZI). After peace talks in Lusaka failed in December 1974, Chikerema signed an agreement for FROLIZI. He joined with Nkomo of ZAPU and Rev. Ndabaningi Sithole of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). They all agreed to unite with the African National Council led by Rev. Abel Muzorewa.

Unlike other leaders, Chikerema stayed in exile. He feared he would be arrested if he returned to Rhodesia. Because of this, when the Rhodesian government agreed to talks in 1975, the meeting happened on a railway carriage. The carriage was placed in the middle of the bridge over the Victoria Falls. This way, the African National Council delegation was in Zambia, and the Rhodesians were still in Rhodesia.

Soon after these talks, the unity within the African National Council broke apart. Chikerema sided with Sithole and Muzorewa against Nkomo and Robert Mugabe. In 1976, Chikerema said that the armed struggle would likely start again. He felt that the United Kingdom had failed to act against the Rhodesian government after UDI.

Working with Muzorewa

Chikerema became very close politically to Muzorewa. He became the first vice-president of the United African National Council, which Muzorewa had started. Chikerema was allowed to return to Rhodesia in September 1977. At a meeting the next month, he surprised many white people by saying there were no "terrorists" in Rhodesia, only "freedom fighters." He strongly criticized the Patriotic Front, which was formed by Mugabe's ZANU and Nkomo's ZAPU.

Chikerema took part in the "internal settlement" talks in 1978. These talks aimed to create a new government with majority rule. He supported the idea of saving 28 seats in Parliament for white voters. Ian Smith, a former leader, later wrote that Chikerema was very helpful in bringing things back to normal. When an agreement was reached, Chikerema said that fighters who continued to fight after the multi-racial election would be "dealt with severely."

During the government that followed, Chikerema was made co-Minister for Transport and Power. This was a lower position than some expected for someone of his importance. This was because he did not have special training in those areas of government.

Later Life and Legacy

On June 29, 1979, after Abel Muzorewa became Prime Minister, Chikerema led a group of seven members of Parliament to leave Muzorewa's party. They were concerned about Muzorewa's leadership. They formed the Zimbabwe Democratic Party. They even had to go to court to keep their seats in Parliament.

After the Lancaster House Agreement, the Zimbabwe Democratic Party ran in the 1980 elections. Chikerema complained about unfair treatment during the campaign. He was very upset when his party did not win any seats.

This marked the end of Chikerema's main political career. However, he continued to share his thoughts on Zimbabwe's politics in newspaper interviews. He became known as an 'elder statesman,' someone respected for his long experience. People listened to him with great respect because of his past work. In 1993, he joined the Forum Party of Zimbabwe. The party's candidates did not win many votes in the 1995 elections.

A farm owned by Chikerema was chosen by the Zimbabwe government for purchase soon after he formed the party. In 2000, it was put on a list of farms to be taken by the government without payment. Chikerema believed this was Robert Mugabe's way of getting back at him. Chikerema made it clear that he supported fair land redistribution if it was done in an orderly way.

James Chikerema passed away in the United States, where he had gone for medical treatment.