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George Mitchell (Rhodesia)
Encyclopedia
George Mitchell served as Prime Minister
of Southern Rhodesia
from July to September 1933. Born in the United Kingdom, he emigrated to South Africa in 1889, and moved to Matabeleland
six years later to work as the manager of the Bank of Africa branch in Bulawayo
. In 1901 he left the bank to become General Manager of the Rhodesia Exploration and Development Company, which sought to build up property.
After retiring in 1918, he devoted himself to politics where he was a supporter of the Rhodesia Party and of responsible government within the colony of Southern Rhodesia. He was appointed to the government on 1 November 1930 as Minister of Mines and Public Works. From 19 May 1932 he served as Minister of Mines and Agriculture. When Howard Moffat
resigned in 1933, Mitchell was chosen as the new Premier; he chose to change the job title to Prime Minister. His government was a short one, from 5 July 1933 until he lost the general election of September 1933
(losing his own seat in the process).
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
from July to September 1933. Born in the United Kingdom, he emigrated to South Africa in 1889, and moved to Matabeleland
Matabeleland
Modern day Matabeleland is a region in Zimbabwe divided into three provinces: Matabeleland North, Bulawayo and Matabeleland South. These provinces are in the west and south-west of Zimbabwe, between the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers. The region is named after its inhabitants, the Ndebele people...
six years later to work as the manager of the Bank of Africa branch in Bulawayo
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
. In 1901 he left the bank to become General Manager of the Rhodesia Exploration and Development Company, which sought to build up property.
After retiring in 1918, he devoted himself to politics where he was a supporter of the Rhodesia Party and of responsible government within the colony of Southern Rhodesia. He was appointed to the government on 1 November 1930 as Minister of Mines and Public Works. From 19 May 1932 he served as Minister of Mines and Agriculture. When Howard Moffat
Howard Unwin Moffat
Howard Unwin Moffat served as second premier of Southern Rhodesia, from 1927 to 1933. Born in the Kuruman mission station in Bechuanaland , Moffat was the son of the missionary John Smith Moffat and grandson of the missionary Robert Moffat, who was the friend of King Mzilikazi and the...
resigned in 1933, Mitchell was chosen as the new Premier; he chose to change the job title to Prime Minister. His government was a short one, from 5 July 1933 until he lost the general election of September 1933
Southern Rhodesia general election, 1933
The Southern Rhodesia general election of September 6, 1933 was the third election since the colony of Southern Rhodesia was granted self-government. It is notable as one of only two general elections in Southern Rhodesia which led to a defeat for the sitting government, as the Reform Party won a...
(losing his own seat in the process).