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The Prime Minister of Rhodesia (until 1963 Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia) was the head of government in the colony of Rhodesia. Rhodesia's political system was modelled on Westminster and the prime minister's role was similar to that of the same position in other countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. The British colony of Southern Rhodesia was created on October 1, 1923. From 1953 to 1963, Northern Rhodesia (later Zambia), Southern Rhodesia (later Rhodesia and then ZimbabweThe Republic of Zimbabwe is a country located in the southern part of the continent of Africa, between the Victoria Falls, Zambesi river, Kariba Dam and Limpopo river. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the west, Zambia to the north) and Nyasaland (later MalawiMalawi (also spelt Malawi is a nation in east Africa. It is bordered by Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. Republic of Malawi ( In Detail) ( Full size) National motto Official language English (official), Chichewa (official), others Capital Lilongwe Presid) were joined in the Federation of Rhodesia and NyasalandThe Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was a short lived state in southern Africa which existed from 1953 to the end of 1963, composed of the former British colonies of Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and the Nyasaland Protectorate. It was also kn, which was also known as the Central African Federation, with Godfrey Martin HugginsSir Godfrey Martin Huggins, 1st Viscount Malvern ( July 6 1883 May 8 1971) was a Rhodesian politician and physician. After practicing medicine in London, England, Huggins emigrated to Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia in 1911. He entered politics in 1923 and w as prime minister from 1953 to 19561956 is a leap year starting on Sunday. see link for calendar) Events January January 1 End of Anglo- Egyptian Condominium in Sudan. January 16 President Gamal Abdal Nasser of Egypt vows to reconquer Palestine January 26 1956 Winter Olympic Games open in followed by Sir Roy WelenskySir Roy Welensky ( January 20, 1907 December 5, 1991) was a white African politician and the second and final prime minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Welensky was born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. His father was a Polish Jew who se from 19561956 is a leap year starting on Sunday. see link for calendar) Events January January 1 End of Anglo- Egyptian Condominium in Sudan. January 16 President Gamal Abdal Nasser of Egypt vows to reconquer Palestine January 26 1956 Winter Olympic Games open in to the federation's dissolution on December 31, 1963. When Northern Rhodesia gained independence as Zambia on October 24, 1964, Southern Rhodesia changed its name to Rhodesia.
Prime Minister Ian Smith's government issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain in 1965. However this was not recognised abroad and after a long period of conflict the Rhodesian government agreed to revert to colonial status in 1979 in order to facilitate the introduction of Black majority rule and the creation of the independent state of Zimbabwe. During this transitional period the colony was known as Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.
List of Premiers and Prime Ministers
| No. |
Name |
Took Office |
Left Office |
Party |
| 1 | Charles Patrick John Goghlan | October 1, 1923 | August 28, 1927 | Rhodesian Reform Party |
| 2 | Howard Unwin Moffat | September 2, 1927 | July 5, 1933 | Rhodesian Reform Party |
| 3 | George Mitchell | July 5, 1933 | September 12, 1933 | Rhodesian Reform Party |
| 4 | Sir Godfrey Martin Huggins | September 12, 1933 | September 7, 1953 | United Rhodesia Party |
| 5 | Garfield Todd | September 7, 1953 | February 17, 1958 | United Rhodesia Party/ United Federal Party |
| 6 | Sir Edgar Whitehead | February 17, 1958 | December 17, 1962 | United Federal Party |
| 7 | Winston Joseph Field | December 17, 1962 | April 13, 1964 | Dominion Party ( Rhodesian Front) |
| 8 | Ian Douglas Smith | April 13, 1964 | June 1, 1979 | Rhodesian Front |
| 9 | Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa | June 1, 1979 | December 11, 1979 | transitional |
The position of Premier became the position of Prime Minister in 1933.
Rhodesia
