President of Zimbabwe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of theRepublic of Zimbabwe |
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Presidential Standard
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| Office of the President of Zimbabwe Executive branch of the Zimbabwean Government |
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| Style | His Excellency (Formal, in international correspondence) Comrade President (Informal) |
| Residence | State House |
| Appointer | Popular vote |
| Term length | Five years,
renewable once
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| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) |
| Inaugural holder | Canaan Banana |
| Formation | 18 April 1980 |
| Deputy | Vice-President of Zimbabwe |
| Salary | US$200,000 annually (2014) |
The President of Zimbabwe is the country's main leader. This person is both the head of state (the top representative of the country) and the head of government (the leader who runs the government). The President also leads the national cabinet, which is like a team of top government officials. They are also the main commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, which are the country's armed forces.
The current President is Emmerson Mnangagwa. He became President on 24 November 2017. This happened after the previous President, Robert Mugabe, stepped down.
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History of the Office
The job of President of Zimbabwe started in 1980. This was when Zimbabwe became an independent country, no longer ruled by the United Kingdom. At first, Zimbabwe was a parliamentary republic. This meant the President had mostly a ceremonial role, like a symbol for the country. The real power was held by the Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe.
First President and Changes
Canaan Banana, who was a minister, became the first President. He served from 1980 until 1987. In 1987, the country's Constitution was changed. This change made the President's job much more powerful, giving them executive power. The job of Prime Minister was then removed.
After these changes, Robert Mugabe became President. He was elected in 1990 and won four more elections after that.
Term Limits and Recent Events
The job of Prime Minister was brought back for a short time between 2008 and 2009. However, it was removed again after a public vote in 2013.
The 2013 vote also set new rules for the President. A President can now serve a maximum of two five-year terms. This rule did not apply to terms already served before 2013. As of 2025, no President has reached this two-term limit yet. To change this limit would require another public vote. President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he will not seek a third term.
2017 Political Changes and Mugabe's Resignation
On 14 November 2017, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (the army) took control of the national TV studios. A general announced that the army was carrying out an operation. He said they were targeting "criminals" around President Mugabe, but that Mugabe and his family would be safe.
The army then took action against a group within the ruling ZANU-PF party. They also took control of the police and intelligence groups, which were seen as loyal to the President.
On 21 November 2017, Robert Mugabe resigned as President. This happened as he was facing a process to remove him from office by the country's Parliament. Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had been a vice-president, was sworn in as the new President on 24 November 2017.
List of Officeholders
| No. | President | Took office | Left office | Time in office | Party | Election | |
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| 1 | Canaan Banana (1936–2003) |
18 April 1980 | 31 December 1987 | 7 years, 257 days | ZANU | 1980 (indirect) 1986 (indirect) |
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| 2 | Robert Mugabe (1924–2019) |
31 December 1987 | 21 November 2017 | 29 years, 325 days | ZANU–PF | 1987 (indirect) 1990 1996 2002 2008 |
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| – | Phelekezela Mphoko (1940–2024) Acting |
21 November 2017 | 24 November 2017 | 3 days | ZANU–PF | – | |
| 3 | Emmerson Mnangagwa (born 1942) |
24 November 2017 | Incumbent | 7 years, 251 days | ZANU–PF | 2018 2023 |
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Phelekezela Mphoko was a vice-president when Mugabe resigned. It is not fully clear if he was the acting president for three days until Mnangagwa took office. This is because he was not in the country at the time.
Timeline of Presidents
Latest Election Results
In the 2023 general election, Emmerson Mnangagwa ran for President as the candidate for the ZANU–PF party. His main opponent was Nelson Chamisa, who led the MDC Alliance party.
Emmerson Mnangagwa won the election without needing a second round of voting. He received 50.8% of the votes, while Nelson Chamisa received 44.3%. The MDC Alliance party did not agree with the election results.
See also
In Spanish: Presidente de Zimbabue para niños
- List of heads of state of Zimbabwe
- Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
- Vice-President of Zimbabwe
