Simon Muzenda facts for kids

Simon Vengai Muzenda (born October 28, 1922 – died September 20, 2003) was an important politician in Zimbabwe. He served as the Deputy Prime Minister from 1980 to 1987. Later, he became the Vice-President of Zimbabwe from 1987 until 2003. He worked alongside President Robert Mugabe for many years.

Early Life and School

Simon Muzenda was born in October 1922. His family were farmers in the Gutu District of Southern Rhodesia (which is now Zimbabwe). His grandmother, Mbuya Maweni, helped raise him. She made sure he went to Nyamandi Primary School for his early education.

Learning New Skills

Simon was a smart child. After spending his teenage years herding animals, he went for teacher training. His tutor suggested he travel to the Marianhill mission in Natal, South Africa. There, he became very good at carpentry, which is the skill of working with wood.

Life and Political Career

While studying carpentry, Simon Muzenda started to learn about politics. He met other students who were involved in fighting for the rights of black people in South Africa and Rhodesia.

Getting Involved in Politics

After returning to Rhodesia in 1950, he worked in a furniture factory. He also joined Benjamin Burombo, an activist who was challenging unfair laws. In 1955, Simon Muzenda married Maud, a nurse. They moved to Mvuma, where he started his own carpentry business. He continued to be active in politics.

Fighting for Independence

Simon Muzenda became an important leader in the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU). Because of his political work, he was arrested by the Rhodesian security forces. He was sent to Salisbury Central Prison for two years. He later said this time was like a "place of study" because he and other prisoners could continue their education.

In 1964, he was arrested again. By this time, Muzenda believed that an armed struggle was needed to end white colonial rule. He helped young black people get military training in other African countries, including the Soviet Union and China. He was imprisoned again and stayed in jail until 1971.

Becoming a Leader

After his release, Simon Muzenda went to live in other countries, first Zambia and then Mozambique. He supported Robert Mugabe as the leader of the ZANU Patriotic Front (PF). This group fought in a war to gain independence for Zimbabwe.

The war ended with the Lancaster House Agreement. After this, new elections were held. Robert Mugabe became the first prime minister of the new, independent Zimbabwe. In 1980, Mugabe made Muzenda the deputy prime minister and foreign minister. In 1987, when Mugabe became president, Muzenda was appointed as his vice-president.

Supporting the President

In the early years of Zimbabwe's independence, many people respected Muzenda. He was seen as a straightforward man from a working-class background. During President Mugabe's time in power, Muzenda always strongly supported him. He remained loyal to the president throughout his political career.

Later Years and Death

In the last two years of his life, Simon Muzenda's health was not good. He had problems like hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes. After getting medical treatment in China, he was admitted to a hospital in Harare in July 2003.

Simon Muzenda passed away on September 20, 2003, at the age of 80. He was survived by his wife and six children. He received a State funeral and was buried at the National Heroes Acre, a special burial place for important figures in Zimbabwe.

See also

• History of Zimbabwe
• Lancaster House Agreement
• Land reform in Zimbabwe