Josiah Zion Gumede

Josiah Zion Gumede GCLM MBE (19 September 1919 – 28 March 1989) was the first and only president of the self-proclaimed, and internationally unrecognised, state of Zimbabwe Rhodesia during 1979, before Rhodesia briefly reverted to British rule until the country's independence as Zimbabwe in 1980.

The Honourable
Josiah Zion Gumede
GCLM MBE
Josiah Zion Gumede
President of Zimbabwe Rhodesia
In office
1 June 1979 – 12 December 1979
MonarchElizabeth II (Rhodesia was recognised as a British colony till 1980)
Prime MinisterAbel Muzorewa
Preceded byHenry Everard (as President of Rhodesia)
Succeeded byCanaan Banana (as President of Zimbabwe)
Personal details
Born19 September 1919
Bembesi, Southern Rhodesia
Died28 March 1989(1989-03-28) (aged 69)
Zimbabwe
NationalityZimbabwean
SpouseEsther Gumede
Children
  • Ndabiqondile Mandla Gumede
  • Titus Tofi Gumede
  • Nkosinathi Boxie Gumede
  • Bekinkosi Sofaigiya Nyamie Gumede
Grandchildren
Residence(s)Bulawayo, Manxeleni
OccupationSchool teacher, Politician, Diplomat
AwardsLegion of Merit GCLM Order of the British Empire MBE

Biography

Josiah Gumede was born in Bembesi, in the Bubi District (now in Matabeleland North) of Southern Rhodesia. He was educated at the David Livingstone Memorial Mission and Matopo Mission before matriculating in the Cape Province (South Africa) in 1946. He taught at various mission and government schools and ended his teaching career as a headmaster. He was the assistant information and education attache for the Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland at Rhodesia House in London between 1960 and 1962, before being appointed First Secretary in the office of the Commissioner for Rhodesia and Nyasaland in Nairobi.[1] He then joined the Ministry of External Affairs (1963–1965).

He was at one time general secretary for the then African Teachers' Association of Rhodesia; a member of the Wankie Disaster Relief Fund's Board of Trustees; a director of the Tribal Trust Land Development Corporation; and a board member of the National Free Library of Rhodesia. He was also an ordained elder of the Presbyterian Church of South Africa.

Gumede was the grandfather of British television actress, Natalie Gumede.[2]

Awards

References
  1. East Africa and Rhodesia, Volume 38, 1961, page 1117
  2. "Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Natalie Gumede reveals "My grandfather Josiah was a President!"". 15 October 2013. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013.
  • Newitt, Louise (ed). Prominent Rhodesian Personalities (Cover Publicity Services, Salisbury, 1977).
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