Joice Mujuru facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joice Mujuru
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Joice Mujuru in 2012
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| First Vice-President of Zimbabwe | |
| In office 6 December 2004 – 8 December 2014 |
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| President | Robert Mugabe |
| Preceded by | Simon Muzenda |
| Succeeded by | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Founder of the National People's Party President of the National People's Party |
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| Assumed office since 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Party founded |
| Vice-President and Second Secretary of ZANU-PF | |
| In office 6 December 2004 – 8 December 2014 |
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| President | Robert Mugabe |
| Preceded by | Simon Muzenda |
| Succeeded by | Emmerson Mnangagwa |
| Secretary of the ZANU–PF Women's League | |
| In office 1981–1988 |
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| Preceded by | Sally Mugabe |
| Succeeded by | Tsungirirai Hungwe |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Runaida Mugari
15 April 1955 Mount Darwin, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) |
| Political party | National People's Party (since 2017) Zimbabwe People First (2016–17) ZANU–PF (until 2015) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Women's University in Africa |
| Nickname | Teurai Ropa |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army |
| Years of service | 1972–1979 |
| Rank | Commissar |
| Commands | Second-in-Command of Zhunta Camp |
| Battles/wars | Rhodesian Bush War |
Joice Runaida Mujuru (born 15 April 1955), also known by her war name Teurai Ropa Nhongo, is a Zimbabwean politician. She was the Vice-President of Zimbabwe from 2004 to 2014. Before that, she worked as a government minister and as Vice-President of the ZANU–PF political party. She was married to Solomon Mujuru until he passed away in 2011. Many people thought she might become the next president after Robert Mugabe. However, in 2014, she was accused of planning against Mugabe. Because of these accusations, Mujuru lost her role as Vice-President and her position in the party. She was later removed from the party and then started a new political party called Zimbabwe People First.
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Early Life and War Experience
Runaida Mugari was born in Zimbabwe in the Mount Darwin area. Her family belonged to the Shona people, specifically the Korekore language group. She went to a Salvation Army school called Howard High.
At 18, Mujuru decided to join the Rhodesian Bush War, a fight for Zimbabwe's independence. She was one of the few women who trained for the war in Lusaka. By 1975, she was a political instructor for military bases. At 21, Mujuru became a camp commander at the Chimoio military and refugee camp in Mozambique.
She chose the war name Teurai Ropa Nhongo, which means "spill blood" in the Shona language. She became one of the first women commanders in Mugabe's ZANLA forces. In 1977, she married Solomon Mujuru, who was also a commander. In the same year, she became the youngest member of the ZANU Central Committee. Her political work made her a target, but she was never captured. Even when she was nine months pregnant in 1978, she was still an active fighter. She gave birth just a few days later.
After the war, her real name, Runaida, became known. She had adopted the name Joice during her time fighting. Today, the Mujurus live on a large farm called Alamein Farm, about 45 miles (72 km) south of Harare.
Political Journey
When Zimbabwe became independent in 1980, Joice Mujuru became the youngest cabinet minister. She was in charge of sports, youth, and recreation. She even managed to finish her secondary school studies while working as a minister.
As Minister of Telecommunications, she worked on how phone networks were set up in Zimbabwe. She was involved in decisions about who could operate cellphone services in the country.
Becoming Vice-President
In September 2004, the ZANU-PF Women's League decided that a woman should be chosen for the party's vice-presidency. This position became open after the death of Simon Muzenda.
President Mugabe chose Joice Mujuru for the role. She was sworn in as the Vice-President of Zimbabwe on 6 December 2004.
In the March 2008 parliamentary election, Mujuru was chosen as ZANU-PF's candidate for the House of Assembly in Mt. Darwin West. She won the seat with many votes. After the election, she was sworn in again as Vice-President by Mugabe on 13 October 2008.
She lives on Alamein Farm, which is a very productive farm.
Mujuru was seen as a possible future leader after President Mugabe. She gained support from different parts of the ZANU-PF party and from many people in Zimbabwe.
Leaving the Party and Starting a New One
In late 2014, Joice Mujuru was accused of planning against President Mugabe. She then lost her leadership roles in the ZANU-PF party. On 8 December 2014, Mugabe removed her from her position as Vice-President. Mujuru said that the claims against her were "ridiculous."
On 10 December 2014, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was her rival, was appointed to replace her as Vice-President.
Mujuru was officially removed from ZANU-PF on 3 April 2015. After this, she started a new political party called Zimbabwe People First. In 2017, she changed the party's name to the National People's Party.
Before the 2018 Presidential election, Joice Mujuru formed an alliance with 20 smaller political parties. This was to create a stronger group to challenge the ruling party. She was one of 23 candidates who ran for President in that election.
Roles She Held
- Minister of Community Development and Women's Affairs (1980–1985)
- Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (1985–1988)
- Minister of Community Development, Cooperatives and Women's Affairs (1988–1992)
- Resident Minister and Governor for Mashonaland Central (1992–1996)
- Minister of Information, Post and Telecommunication (1996–1997)
- Minister of Rural Resources and Water Development (1997–2004)
- First Vice-President of Zimbabwe (2004–2014)
