Simba Makoni
Encyclopedia
Simbarashe Herbert Stanley Makoni (born March 22, 1950) is a Zimbabwe
an politician and was a candidate for the March 2008 presidential election
against incumbent Robert Mugabe
. He was Minister of Finance and Economic Development in President Robert Mugabe's cabinet from 2000 to 2002. He faced strong opposition during the Economic Change in Zimbabwe in the early 2000s as his policies contradicted those of the rest of the ZANU-PF party.
in Europe
. He earned his B.Sc. at Leeds University and a Ph.D. at Leicester Polytechnic in medicinal chemistry. He also owns a farm in Headlands.
(SADC), serving in that post for ten years. A $25,000 scam that rocked SADC in 1993, resulting in the dismissal of three financial officers, who implicated Makoni. He accepted full responsibility as executive secretary, but denied any personal wrongdoing. Leaving SADC in 1994, Makoni became Managing Director of Zimbabwe Newspapers until 1997.
of the Zimbabwean dollar
, a policy that was not favored by Mugabe, and he was replaced by Herbert Murerwa
in the cabinet named on August 25, 2002.
reported that Simba Makoni might be nominated to run against Mugabe in the March 2008 presidential election
. Makoni attempted to run in the concurrent 2008 parliamentary election
as ZANU-PF's candidate for the House of Assembly
from the constituency of Makoni Central
, but he was barred from standing in the party primary (in which he would have faced Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa
); it was judged that he had submitted his curriculum vitae too late to qualify.
On February 5, 2008, Simba Makoni held a press conference in Harare
where he stated that he was challenging Robert Mugabe to become the next President of Zimbabwe. Up to that point he had remained a member of the ZANU-PF Politburo and the party's Deputy Secretary of Economic Affairs.
He told reporters, flanked by Ibo Mandaza and Retired Major Kudzai Mbudzi:
Makoni said that he would have liked to run as ZANU-PF's candidate, but since he could not, he was running as an independent. He later said that his conclusion that political change was necessary was not the result of a "St.-Paul-on-the-road-to-Damascus awakening. This has been a continuum, incremental, things have been building up."
Joseph Chinotimba
, a war veteran who led the violent invasions of white owned farms in 2000, threatened Makoni with violence following the announcement of his candidature. A leading figure in ZANU-PF, Emmerson Mnangagwa
, told ZBC TV that by choosing to stand for a position when the party had already chosen someone to stand for that position, Makoni had expelled himself from the party. The Herald newspaper denounced Makoni as being a pawn of the United Kingdom whose candidacy was being used in hopes of splitting the ZANU-PF vote so that Morgan Tsvangirai
of the Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) could win the election.
Speaking on February 7, Makoni denied claims that he was a Western pawn or that he was being used by ZANU-PF itself to split the opposition vote. He also said that the ZANU-PF constitution did not provide for self-expulsion and that still considered himself a member of ZANU-PF until and unless he is expelled from the party through due process. Referring to support he claims to have inside ZANU-PF, he urged these supporters to "remain steadfast and not be intimidated". ZANU-PF spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira subsequently sought to clarify the matter by saying that Makoni was expelled from the party, in accordance with party rules providing for the expulsion of a member who challenges a designated ZANU-PF candidate in an election, and he said that anyone who supported Makoni would be expelled as well. Morgan Tsvangirai said on February 11 that Makoni was merely "old wine in a new bottle" and that he would not ally with Makoni for the election.
Mugabe spoke about Makoni's candidacy for the first time on February 21, describing it as "absolutely disgraceful", comparing Makoni to a prostitute, and criticizing Makoni for what he considered a self-important attitude.
When Makoni announced his candidature, he stated that many in ZANU-PF particularly the political "heavyweights" would publicly announce their support for him. This triggered intense speculation that the vice president's husband and retired army commander, Solomon Mujuru
would declare his support for him. However, no such heavyweights came forward.
. However, the following notable endorsements were made:
Official results indicated that Makoni had received 8.3% of the vote, finishing third. He endorsed Morgan Tsvangirai
for the runoff.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an politician and was a candidate for the March 2008 presidential election
Zimbabwean presidential election, 2008
The Republic of Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election on 29 March 2008. The three major candidates were incumbent President Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front , Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change , and...
against incumbent Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
. He was Minister of Finance and Economic Development in President Robert Mugabe's cabinet from 2000 to 2002. He faced strong opposition during the Economic Change in Zimbabwe in the early 2000s as his policies contradicted those of the rest of the ZANU-PF party.
Background
Makoni trained as a chemist in the UK during the Second Chimurenga years. During his studies he represented the Zimbabwe African National UnionZimbabwe African National Union
The Zimbabwe African National Union was a militant organization that fought against the standing government in Rhodesia, formed as a split from the Zimbabwe African People's Union...
in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. He earned his B.Sc. at Leeds University and a Ph.D. at Leicester Polytechnic in medicinal chemistry. He also owns a farm in Headlands.
First term in government
Makoni was appointed Deputy Minister of Agriculture at Zimbabwe's independence in 1980, when he was thirty years old. In 1981, he was moved to the position of Minister of Industry and Energy Development, where he remained until 1983.SADC
In 1983, Makoni was elected as the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development CommunitySouthern African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. Its goal is to further socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among 15 southern African states...
(SADC), serving in that post for ten years. A $25,000 scam that rocked SADC in 1993, resulting in the dismissal of three financial officers, who implicated Makoni. He accepted full responsibility as executive secretary, but denied any personal wrongdoing. Leaving SADC in 1994, Makoni became Managing Director of Zimbabwe Newspapers until 1997.
Second term in government
Makoni returned to the Cabinet as Minister of Finance by Mugabe on July 15, 2000, following the June 2000 parliamentary election. As Finance Minister, he supported the devaluationDevaluation
Devaluation is a reduction in the value of a currency with respect to those goods, services or other monetary units with which that currency can be exchanged....
of the Zimbabwean dollar
Zimbabwean dollar
The Zimbabwean dollar was the official currency of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 12 April 2009....
, a policy that was not favored by Mugabe, and he was replaced by Herbert Murerwa
Herbert Murerwa
Herbert Muchemwa Murerwa is a Zimbabwean politician. He served as the Minister of Finance in the Government of Zimbabwe from 1996 to 2000, from August 2002 to February 2004, and again from April 26, 2004 to February 6, 2007...
in the cabinet named on August 25, 2002.
Presidential candidacy
From as early as 2003, was reported that Makoni was favored by some in ZANU-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, as well as African mediators, as a potential replacement for Mugabe. In January 2008, the BBCBBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
reported that Simba Makoni might be nominated to run against Mugabe in the March 2008 presidential election
Zimbabwean presidential election, 2008
The Republic of Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election on 29 March 2008. The three major candidates were incumbent President Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front , Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change , and...
. Makoni attempted to run in the concurrent 2008 parliamentary election
Zimbabwean parliamentary election, 2008
A parliamentary election was held in Zimbabwe on March 29, 2008 to elect members to both the House of Assembly and the Senate of the Zimbabwean parliament...
as ZANU-PF's candidate for the House of Assembly
House of Assembly of Zimbabwe
The House of Assembly of Zimbabwe is the lower chamber of the country's bicameral Parliament. It was the unicameral legislative body from 1989 until late November 2005, when the Senate was re-introduced....
from the constituency of Makoni Central
Makoni Central
Makoni Central is a newly created constituency which will elect a representative to the Zimbabwe House of Assembly in the March 2008 parliamentary election....
, but he was barred from standing in the party primary (in which he would have faced Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa
Patrick Chinamasa
Patrick Antony Chinamasa is a Zimbabwean politician, currently serving as the Minister of Justice.-Career:A leading member of the ruling ZANU-PF party, Chinamasa became first deputy Agriculture Minister, and then Attorney General of Zimbabwe; he also holds the role of Leader of the Zimbabwean...
); it was judged that he had submitted his curriculum vitae too late to qualify.
On February 5, 2008, Simba Makoni held a press conference in Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
where he stated that he was challenging Robert Mugabe to become the next President of Zimbabwe. Up to that point he had remained a member of the ZANU-PF Politburo and the party's Deputy Secretary of Economic Affairs.
He told reporters, flanked by Ibo Mandaza and Retired Major Kudzai Mbudzi:
Makoni said that he would have liked to run as ZANU-PF's candidate, but since he could not, he was running as an independent. He later said that his conclusion that political change was necessary was not the result of a "St.-Paul-on-the-road-to-Damascus awakening. This has been a continuum, incremental, things have been building up."
Joseph Chinotimba
Joseph Chinotimba
Joseph Chinotimba is a Zimbabwean political figure. He rose to prominence during the invasions of white owned commercial farms that started after the 2000 referendum in Zimbabwe. He is widely regarded as a militant ZANU-PF cadre with unquestionable allegiance to the old guard of the ruling party...
, a war veteran who led the violent invasions of white owned farms in 2000, threatened Makoni with violence following the announcement of his candidature. A leading figure in ZANU-PF, Emmerson Mnangagwa
Emmerson Mnangagwa
Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is a Zimbabwean politician who has been Minister of Defense since February 2009. He was previously Minister of State Security from 1982 to 1988, then Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs until 2000; he was Speaker of Parliament from July 2000 to 2005 and...
, told ZBC TV that by choosing to stand for a position when the party had already chosen someone to stand for that position, Makoni had expelled himself from the party. The Herald newspaper denounced Makoni as being a pawn of the United Kingdom whose candidacy was being used in hopes of splitting the ZANU-PF vote so that Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He is the President of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai and a key figure in the opposition to President Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on 11 February 2009...
of the Movement for Democratic Change
Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai
The Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe is a political party and the largest party in the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe. It is the main formation formed from the split of the original Movement for Democratic Change in 2005.-Foundation:...
(MDC) could win the election.
Speaking on February 7, Makoni denied claims that he was a Western pawn or that he was being used by ZANU-PF itself to split the opposition vote. He also said that the ZANU-PF constitution did not provide for self-expulsion and that still considered himself a member of ZANU-PF until and unless he is expelled from the party through due process. Referring to support he claims to have inside ZANU-PF, he urged these supporters to "remain steadfast and not be intimidated". ZANU-PF spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira subsequently sought to clarify the matter by saying that Makoni was expelled from the party, in accordance with party rules providing for the expulsion of a member who challenges a designated ZANU-PF candidate in an election, and he said that anyone who supported Makoni would be expelled as well. Morgan Tsvangirai said on February 11 that Makoni was merely "old wine in a new bottle" and that he would not ally with Makoni for the election.
Mugabe spoke about Makoni's candidacy for the first time on February 21, describing it as "absolutely disgraceful", comparing Makoni to a prostitute, and criticizing Makoni for what he considered a self-important attitude.
When Makoni announced his candidature, he stated that many in ZANU-PF particularly the political "heavyweights" would publicly announce their support for him. This triggered intense speculation that the vice president's husband and retired army commander, Solomon Mujuru
Solomon Mujuru
Solomon Mujuru, also known as Rex Nhongo was a Zimbabwean military officer and politician who led Robert Mugabe's guerrilla forces during the Rhodesian Bush War. He was from the Zezuru clan. In post-independence Zimbabwe, he went on to become army chief before leaving government service in 1995...
would declare his support for him. However, no such heavyweights came forward.
. However, the following notable endorsements were made:
- On February 15, Arthur MutambaraArthur MutambaraArthur Guseni Oliver Mutambara is a Zimbabwean politician. He became the President of the Movement for Democratic Change-Mutambara faction in February 2006. He has worked as the Managing Director and CEO of Africa Technology and Business Institute since September 2003...
, the leader of another MDC faction not led by Tsvangirai, said that he would not run for President and that his faction would instead back Makoni. - At the opening of Makoni's campaign on February 29, former Interior Minister Dumiso DabengwaDumiso DabengwaDumiso Dabengwa is a Zimbabwean politician. He served as the head of ZIPRA intelligence during the Rhodesian Bush War.In 1982 he was charged, with Lookout Masuku and four others, of treason by the Mugabe administration. They were acquitted, for lack of evidence in 1983. On release they were...
and former Speaker of Parliament Cyril Ndebele were present to support him. Also present at White City hall where Makoni launched his campaign was Edgar TekereEdgar TekereEdgar Zivanai Tekere was a Zimbabwean politician. He was a president of the Zimbabwe African National Union who organised the party during the Lancaster House talks and served in government before his popularity as a potential rival to Robert Mugabe caused their...
who vowed to campaign against Mugabe until election time. - Fay ChungFay ChungFay King Chung is a Zimbabwean educator and an independent candidate for the March 2008 Zimbabwean senatorial election. She is one of the early public supporters of independent presidential candidate, Simba Makoni, who announced his presidential candidacy in early February 2008...
the former Zimbabwe Minister of Education and Culture and currently an independent candidate in the March 2008 senatorial elections has also formally endorsed Makoni.
Official results indicated that Makoni had received 8.3% of the vote, finishing third. He endorsed Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He is the President of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai and a key figure in the opposition to President Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on 11 February 2009...
for the runoff.