List of ambassadors and high commissioners of Zimbabwe to the United Kingdom facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the United Kingdom
Incumbent Colonel Christian Katsande since 18 June 2018
Style	His Excellency
Appointer	Emmerson Mnangagwa
Inaugural holder	Sir Francis James Newton
Formation	1924 (Southern Rhodesia)
Website	Embassy of Zimbabwe to the United Kingdom and Ireland

The Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the United Kingdom is a very important person who represents Zimbabwe in the UK. Think of them as Zimbabwe's main spokesperson and helper in another country. They work for Zimbabwe's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and lead the Embassy in London. An ambassador's job is to build good relationships between their home country and the country they are in. They also help their country's citizens who are living or visiting there.

The ambassador is called an "ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary," which means they have full power to represent their country. This person also serves as Zimbabwe's ambassador to Ireland, even though they don't live there (this is called "non-resident accredited").

The current ambassador is Colonel Christian Katsande.

What is an Embassy?

An embassy is like a small piece of a country located in another country. It's where the ambassador and their team work. For many years, Zimbabwe's office in London was called a "High Commission." This is because Zimbabwe was part of the Commonwealth of Nations, a group of countries that used to be part of the British Empire. When Zimbabwe left the Commonwealth in 2003, its High Commission became an Embassy.

The Embassy is located in a building called Zimbabwe House on the Strand, London. This office has a long history, going back to 1924. Back then, it was the High Commission for Southern Rhodesia, which was a British colony that gained some self-government in 1923. Over the years, the office changed names as the region's political situation changed. It was also known as the High Commission of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1954–1963) and the Southern Rhodesia High Commission (1963–1965).

Between 2016 and 2018, the position of ambassador was empty. This happened because the UK Government did not accept the person President Robert Mugabe had chosen.

Past Ambassadors and High Commissioners

Zimbabwe House (former Rhodesia House) at 429 The Strand.

Many important people have held this role over the years, representing their country in the United Kingdom. Here is a list of those who have served:

High Commissioners from Southern Rhodesia (1924–1953)

High Commissioners from the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1954–1963)

High Commissioners from Southern Rhodesia (1963–1965)

Representative from Rhodesia (1965–1969)

High Commissioners from Zimbabwe (1980–2003)

Ambassadors from Zimbabwe (2003–Present)

See also

• United Kingdom–Zimbabwe relations
• List of ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Zimbabwe