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|name        = Munashe Ngonidzashe
|name        = Munashe Ngonidzashe
|image        = Munashe2018.jpg
|image        = Munashe2018.jpg
|succession  = [[Monarchy of Rwizikuru|Mambo of Rwizikuru]]
|succession  = [[Monarchy of Rwizikuru|King of Rwizikuru]]
|reign        = 21 September, 2019 - ''present''
|reign        = 21 February, 2019 - ''present''
|predecessor  = [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]]
|predecessor  = [[Izibongo Ngonidzashe]]
|suc-type    = {{nowrap|Heir apparent}}
|suc-type    = {{nowrap|Heir apparent}}
|successor    = [[Tavonga Ngonidzashe]]
|successor    = [[Paul Ngonidzashe]]
|reg-type    = {{nowrap|[[Mutungamiri of Rwizikuru|Mutungamiri]]}}
|reg-type    = {{nowrap|[[Premier of Rwizikuru|Premier]]}}
|regent      = [[Tsuru Mawere]]
|regent      = [[Tsuru Mawere]]
|spouse      = [[Nyengeterai Ngonidzashe]]
|spouse      = [[Ditsheho Ngonidzashe]]
|issue        = [[Tavonga Ngonidzashe]] (b. 1992)<br>[[Shungu Ngonidzashe]] (b. 1994)<br>[[Pamhidzai Ngonidzashe]] (b. 1996)<br>[[Taremekedzwa Ngonidzashe]] (b. 1998)<br>[[Taurainashe Ngonidzashe]] (b. 2001)<br>[[Kuchema Ngonidzashe]] (b. 2004)<br>Tyler Barnes (b. 2012)
|issue        = [[Malcolm Ngonidzashe]] (b. 2016)<br>[[Paul Ngonidzashe]] (b. 2018)
|full name    = Gideon Munashe Ngonidzashe
|full name    = Barnabas Munashe Ngonidzashe
|house        = [[House of Ngonidzashe]]
|house        = [[House of Ngonidzashe]]
|father      = [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]]
|father      = [[Izibongo Ngonidzashe]]
|mother      = [[Rudorwashe Ngonidzashe]]
|mother      = {{wp|Grace Mugabe|Farai Ngonidzashe}}
|birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1969|1|18|df=y}}
|issue        = [[Malcolm Ngonidzashe]]<br>[[Paul Ngonidzashe]]<br>Naleli Ngonidzashe
|birth_place  = [[Port Fitzhubert]], [[Rwizikuru]]
|birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1991|8|28|df=y}}
|birth_place  = [[Guta raMambo]], [[Rwizikuru]]
|religion    = [[United Amended Church]]
|death_date  =  
|death_date  =  
|death_place  =  
|death_place  =  
|signature    =  
|signature    =  
}}
}}
'''Munashe Ngonidzashe''' (born 18 January, 1969) is the current monarch of Rwizikuru, having ascended the throne on 21 September, 2019, after the abdication of his father, [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]]. As monarch, he presided over the implementation of the [[Constitution of Rwizikuru, 2020|2020 Rwizikuran constitution]] which saw the establishment of a {{wp|constitutional monarchy}}, with the first [[Mutungamiri of Rwizikuru|Mutungamiri]] under the new constitution taking power on 7 April, when [[Tsuru Mawere]] became {{wp|head of government}}.
'''Munashe Ngonidzashe''' (born 28 August, 1991) is the current [[Monarchy of Rwizikuru|Monarch of Rwizikuru]], having ascended the throne on 21 February, 2019, after the death of his father, [[Izibongo Ngonidzashe]]. As monarch, he presided over the implementation of the [[Constitution of Rwizikuru, 2020|2020 Rwizikuran constitution]] which saw the establishment of a {{wp|constitutional monarchy}}, with the first [[Premier of Rwizikuru|Premier]] under the new constitution taking power on 7 April, 2020, when [[Tsuru Mawere]] became {{wp|head of government}}.


Born in January 1969, Munashe Ngonidzashe was born second-in-line after his father, Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe, to the recently-established [[Monarchy of Rwizikuru|Rwizikuran throne]]. After his grandfather's death in a car accident in 1979, he would become crown prince, as his father became the monarch of Rwizikuru. As crown prince, Munashe Ngonidzashe served as the head of the [[Gutaguru]] district from 1992 until 2006, when he became the royal treasurer, serving in this role until 2016, when his son succeeded him as treasurer, so Munashe could assume more of his father's duties.
Born as the first son of Izibongo Ngonidzashe's second marriage with {{wp|Grace Mugabe|Farai Ngonidzashe}}, Munashe Ngonidzashe was second in line to the Rwizikuran throne until his half-brother, [[Joseph Ngonidzashe]], died in an avalanche in 2002 while on a ski trip in the [[Neeves]]. As Joseph had no sons, Munashe became the {{wp|heir apparent}} to the Rwizikuran throne.


After his father abdicated in 2019, Munashe Ngonidzashe would become monarch. He presided over the constitutional convention which drafted the current Rwizikuran constitution by January 2020: after elections were held in April 2020, the constitution went into effect, reducing the monarch's powers to that of a figurehead.
==Early life and education==
Munashe Ngonidzashe was born to [[Izibongo Ngonidzashe]] and {{wp|Grace Mugabe|Farai Ngonidzashe}}, as the first son from that marriage on 28 August, 1991 in [[Guta raMambo]]. He was baptized into the [[United Amended Church]] as Barnabas Ngondizashe. At the time of his birth, he was second in line, behind his half-brother, [[Joseph Ngonidzashe]], and ahead of his uncle, [[Ingwe Ngonidzashe]].


==Early life==
In 1995, he entered a {{wp|preschool playgroup|playgroup}} program at the [[King Izibongo School]], making him the first royal to enter a preschool program. Tavonga went on to enter {{wp|Reception (school)|Reception}} at the King Izibongo School in 1997, and made his way through school at an average rate.
Munashe was born to [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]] and [[Rudorwashe Ngonidzashe]] in [[Port Fitzhubert]], and was the eldest of three sons, and baptized into the [[Embrian Communion]] as Gideon Ngonidzashe.


He entered the [[Charles Fitzhubert School]] in 1974, and was described by his teachers as being an "excellent student," with one old teacher comparing him as "more willing to learn than his father." He continued to attend the Charles Fitzhubert School until 1978, when the royal family moved to the newly-completed [[Guta raMambo]], and was sent to the newly established [[King Izibongo School]].
His teachers described him as being "average in all areas," and was expected to go to a {{wp|Secondary modern school|secondary modern school}} after his "mediocre results" in the {{wp|eleven-plus}} in 2003. However, his father was able to pull strings to allow Tavonga to attend the [[Shungudzemwoyo Ncube Grammar School]] in 2004, and finished {{wp|Sixth Form}} in 2011.


==Crown prince==
While he had mediocre results, his father was able to persuade the [[University of Rwizikuru]] to allow him to attend classes: thus, in September 2011, he moved to [[Port Fitzhubert]] and studied {{wp|political science}}.
===Initial years===
On 21 September, 1979, his grandfather, [[Izibongo Ngonidzashe]] died in a car accident, leaving his father, [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]] as [[Monarchy of Rwizikuru|Mambo]] of [[Rwizikuru]], and thus, he became heir to the Rwizikuran throne. In 1980, he was formally designated '''korona muchinda''' in [[Port Fitzhubert]], and from that point started getting more education from his father to teach him on how to run Rwizikuru.


The death of his grandfather greatly affected him, with Munashe saying in 2008 that "the death of my grandfather affected me because suddenly, my father, who was my rock became tied down to his job." His academic performance declined, with Munashe "barely getting into {{wp|grammar school}}."
In 2012, he met a {{wp|Sotho people|Balisa}} commoner, [[Ditsheho Ngonidzashe|Ditsheho Lekhotla]] at the University of Rwizikuru. In 2015, Tavonga Ngonidzashe graduated from the University of Rwizikuru with second class honors in political science. That same year, he married Ditsheho Lekhotla.


However, by the time he started attending the [[Shungudzemwoyo Ncube Grammar School]] in 1981, his academic performance started to improve to his previous levels. In 1984, he made his first solo public appearance, as he gave the commencement speech at the [[Charles Fitzhubert School]]. In 1987, he finished {{wp|sixth form|yechitanhatu fomu}}, and graduated from the Shungudzemwoyo Ncube Grammar School, and enrolled at the [[University of Rwizikuru]] to major in {{wp|political studies}}.
==Crown Prince==
===Early years===
Following the death of his half-brother in 2002, Munashe Ngonidzashe was promoted to Crown Prince. While this promoted him to the title, and led to Munashe Ngonidzashe making more public appearances from that point on, his age meant that his uncle, [[Ingwe Ngonidzashe]] remained influential, with some in the royal family expecting that he and his younger brother might be disinherited so that Ingwe could become the next King.


In 1991, he obtained a {{wp|bachelor's degree}} from the University of Rwizikuru. However, he was ordered by his father to stop pursuing higher education, and instead focus on his role as crown prince.
In 2006, Munashe Ngonidzashe made his first solo public appearance, when he gave a commencement speech at the [[Charles Fitzhubert School, Port Fitzhubert|Charles Fitzhubert School]] to incoming students. However, his solo public appearances were few and far between, with Munashe only making three solo appearances between 2006 and 2011.


===Dunhu of Gutaguru===
Following his graduation from {{wp|grammar school}} in 2011, Munashe Ngonidzashe began to take on some of his father's responsibilities and duties, as well as taking on some duties of his own within the royal family. In September 2014, he was named to his official government position, when Izibongo Ngonidzashe named him as Chief of the district of [[Gutaguru]].
In 1992, he was appointed dunhu of the [[Gutaguru]] district, which was widely seen by observers as a way to start preparing him for him to become the next monarch of [[Rwizikuru]]. As the head of the Gutauguru district, Munashe Ngonidzashe was given a "taste of power."


Over the next few years, Munashe instituted several policies of his own, such as investing in infrastructure for the capital of [[Guta raMambo]], providing all residents of the district with water and reliable electricity, and cracking down on corruption. While by 1999, corruption had reached pre-1988 levels, Gutaguru had the lowest levels of corruption of any district in Rwizikuru, with corruption levels remaining below what it had been in 1988.
===Regency===
[[File:Izibongo_and_Munashe.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Izibongo Ngonidzashe naming Munashe Ngonidzashe as regent, 2016]]
In June 2016, Izibongo Ngonidzashe formally designated Munashe Ngonidzashe as {{wp|regent}}, due to Izibongo's deteriorating health and old age. This made Munashe Ngonidzashe the ''{{wp|de-facto}}'' ruler of Rwizikuru, even though Izibongo Ngonidzashe still formally remained the King of Rwizikuru.


In the early 2000s, however, this started to change, as Munashe started to be more tolerant of corruption within the district. At the same time, his frequent recreational trips abroad, especially to [[Chadwelle]] in [[Estmere]], where he acquired two properties, and his reputation as a {{wp|bon viveur}} became more and more well known.
As regent, Munashe Ngonidzashe's first decree was to increase the pay to government officials, including soldiers of the [[Royal Rwizikuran Armed Forces]] and the [[Royal Rwizikuran Constabulary]], in an attempt to combat rampant corruption. This was followed by another decree ordering the Constabulary to enforce legislation concerning corruption. Besides his focus on anti-corruption, Munashe Ngonidzashe would focus on improving the Rwizikuran education system: in 2017, he issued a decree that ordered new schools be built in fast-growing regions of the country so that the practice of hot-seating would end.


===Increasing prominence===
However, as regent, Munashe Ngonidzashe represented the King in all affairs: thus, he would meet with various international leaders during his tenure as regent. In 2018, he would oversee the King's Golden Jubilee celebrations, with Munashe Ngonidzashe representing Izibongo Ngonidzashe in many important events, excluding one in Guta raMambo where the King made his final public appearance. In October 2018, he directed the Rwizikuran government to begin negotiations with the [[Global Institute for Fiscal Affairs]] for another loan.
In 2006, Munashe Ngonidzashe was dismissed from his position as dunhu of Gutaguru district by [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]], and was reassigned to the position of royal treasurer to succeed his second cousin, [[Mweya Ngonidzashe]], who was removed from the line of succession for allegedly committing an adulterous relationship, and then fled to [[Caldia]] to join the government-in-exile led by [[Muchazvireva Ngonidzashe]].


As royal treasurer, he was noted by one official in 2008 to be "more willing to take his father's orders than his predecessor," with funds from the royal treasury often given to the royal family. He continued to serve as treasurer until 2016, when his son, [[Tavonga Ngonidzashe]] was appointed to take his place as treasurer.
By late 2018, as Izibongo Ngonidzashe was hospitalised for the final time in [[Morwall]], Munashe Ngonidzashe began to make preparations for his accession to the Rwizikuran throne.


By that point, he started taking on more and more of his father's duties, with Munashe making frequent trips, both domestically, and abroad to represent the [[Monarchy of Rwizikuru|King]]. Over the next few years, as his father reduced his role in politics, Munashe became more and more important.
==Reign==
===Accession and reforms===
On 21 February, 2019, Munashe Ngonidzashe acceded the throne following his father's death in Morwall. At the age of 27, Munashe was the youngest person to accede to the Rwizikuran throne.


In August 2019, Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe announced his intention to abdicate in September after signing an agreement with the [[Global Institute of Fiscal Affairs]] which would transform Rwizikuru into a {{wp|constitutional monarchy}} in exchange for receiving aid to end Rwizikuru's corruption.
His coronation was held on 1 June, 2019 at [[Saint Edward's Cathedral (Guta raMambo)|Saint Edward's Cathedral]], with the rites of the [[United Amended Church]]. He was anointed by Priest [[James Gumede]], before being crowned by him. Munashe then crowned his wife, Ditsheho, as Queen, and proclaimed her as the Queen. After he and his wife were crowned, Munashe received homage from the traditional chiefs of Rwizikuru, in a similar fashion to his [[Izibongo Ngonidzashe#Coronation and wars|father's coronations]]. Later that day, a lavish banquet was held at the royal palace.


==Reign==
After his coronation, Munashe Ngonidzashe expressed his intention to "have Rwizikuru progress with the times," which was hinted as Munashe intending to rule as a {{wp|constitutional monarch}}. At the same time, negotiations with the Global Institute for Fiscal Affairs progressed significantly, and on 2 August, 2019, Munashe approved an agreement with the Global Institute of Fiscal Affairs in which the GIFA would provide Rwizikuru with a loan of one hundred million euclos in exchange for Rwizikuru undergoing further {{wp|structural adjustment}} and establishing a {{wp|constitutional monarchy}}, with the legislature being the only body allowed to pass and propose budgets, with the King prohibited from altering the budget.
===Coronation===
On 21 September, 2019, [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]] signed a decree which renounced his own rights, and the rights of any children born on or after that date, as well as their descendants, from ascending to the Rwizikuran throne. After countersigning it, Munashe Ngonidzashe and his father headed to [[Saint Chloé's Church, Guta raMambo|Saint Chloé's Church]] for the coronation.


Unlike [[Izibongo Ngonidzashe|his grandfather]] or his father, Munashe refused to wear their coronation crown, instead commissioning a crown to be made in [[Estmere]], and in an Estmerish style. Thus, after swearing the oath to be a "just and upright ruler for the veRwizi people," Priest [[James Gumede]] anointed him with holy oil, before crowning him as Mambo.
That day, Munashe Ngonidzashe announced that a {{wp|constitutional convention}} would be held to write up a new constitution for Rwizikuru, and vowed that a constitutional monarchy would "solve many of the issues that existed under [Izibongo Ngonidzashe's] reign." On 12 August, he appointed 14 delegates, and scheduled the election of 12 delegates for 16 September 2019. All of the delegates were summoned to the [[Port Fitzhubert]] campus of the [[University of Rwizikuru]] on 24 September, 2019.


He proclaimed his wife, [[Nyengeterai Ngonidzashe]], to be the ''Mambokadzi'', his eldest son, [[Tavongo Ngonidzashe]] as ''korona muchinda'', and his father as ''Baba waMambo''. After being acclaimed as Mambo, he then received homage from all the traditional chiefs, before the ceremony concluded.
On 1 October, 2019, with all the delegates present, Munashe Ngonidzashe formally opened the constitutional convention, and authorised it to draft a new [[Constitution of Rwizikuru, 2020|Rwizikuran constitution]] to supersede the [[Basic Law of Rwizikuru]]. Munashe was to serve as the chairman of the constitutional convention, and thus would be presiding over the proceedings.


Later that day, a lavish banquet was held at the ''[[Imba yoRudzi]]''.
After four months of work, the [[Constitution of Rwizikuru, 2020|new constitution]] was promulgated by Munashe Ngonidzashe on 17 January, 2020, and he scheduled the first elections under the new constitution to take place on 3 April, 2020.


===Constitutional convention===
===Constitutional monarch===
Following the appointment of fourteen delegates by [[Kupakwashe Ngondizashe]] on 12 August, 2019, and the election of twelve delegates in the [[Rwizikuran constitutional assembly election, 2019|first nation-wide elections since 1959]] on 16 September, 2019, the delegates were called to the [[University of Port Fitzhubert]] on 24 September, 2019.
On 7 April, 2020, he officially became a {{wp|constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarch}} when the [[National Assembly of Rwizikuru|National Assembly]] elected [[Tsuru Mawere]] to be the first [[Premier of Rwizikuru|head of government]] under the 2020 constitution. Munashe's role was reduced significantly, with Munashe only maintaining legislative powers over the [[House of Ngonidzashe]] and the [[Line of succession to the Rwizikuran throne|line of succession]].


On 1 October, 2019, with all the delegates present, Munashe Ngonidzashe formally opened the constitutional convention, to draft a new [[Constitution of Rwizikuru, 2020|Rwizikuran constitution]] to supersede the [[Basic Law of Rwizikuru]]. Munashe, as declared by his father, was to serve as the chairman of the constitutional convention, and thus would be presiding over the proceedings.
On 14 October, 2020, Munashe Ngonidzashe made his first executive action since the promulgation of the Rwizikuran constitution when he disinherited his eldest son, [[Malcolm Ngonidzashe]], who had been the Crown Prince since his accession to the Rwizikuran throne, because of Malcolm's "{{wp|Global developmental delay|severe developmental delays}}." This automatically made Malcolm's younger brother, [[Paul Ngonidzashe]], Crown Prince.


After four months of work, the [[Constitution of Rwizikuru, 2020|new constitution]] was promulgated by Munashe Ngonidzashe on 17 January, 2020, and scheduled the first elections under the new constitution to take place on 3 April, 2020.
On his Accession Day speech in 2021, Munashe Ngonidzashe declared that the role of the Rwizikuran monarch was to "serve as a unifying figure of the Rwizikuran nation," and that the Rwizikuran monarch should "only be involved in politics if called upon" by the government, and to otherwise "stay above the political arena" to avoid undermining Rwizikuru's "fledgling democracy."
 
On 7 April, 2020, he officially became a {{wp|constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarch}} when the [[National Assembly of Rwizikuru|National Assembly]] elected [[Tsuru Mawere]] to be the first [[Mutungamiri of Rwizikuru|head of government]] under the 2020 constitution.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Munashe Ngonidzashe married the twenty-year old [[Nyengeterai Ngonidzashe|Nyengeterai Dangarembga]] in 1989, and has three sons with her: [[Tavonga Ngonidzashe]], [[Taremekedzwa Ngonidzashe]], and [[Taurainashe Ngonidzashe]]. They also have three daughters: [[Shungu Ngonidzashe]], [[Pamhidzai Ngonidzashe]], and [[Kuchema Ngonidzashe]].
Munashe Ngonidzashe married [[Ditsheho Ngonidzashe]] in 2015, and had two sons: [[Malcolm Ngonidzashe]] in 2016, and [[Paul Ngonidzashe]] in 2018, and a daughter: Naleli Ngonidzashe, born in 2020.


In addition, he engaged in an affair with [[Ophelia Barnes]], and had a single son with her, Tyler Barnes, in 2012. However, his birth led to a scandal in both Rwizikuru and [[Estmere]], which forced them to end the relationship due to pressure from [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]], his wife, [[Estmere First]], and by Estmerish high society.
He is fluent in {{wp|Shona language|Rwizi}}, {{wp|English language|Estmerish}} and {{wp|French language|Gaullican}}, and can "comfortably hold a conversation" in {{wp|Japanese language|Senrian}}.


He is fluent in {{wp|Shona language|weRwizi}}, {{wp|English language|Estmerish}} and {{wp|French language|Gaullican}}, and can "comfortably hold a conversation" in {{wp|Marathi language|Marathi}}.
He is a member of the [[United Amended Church]], but unlike his father, he is not "particularly devout."
 
He has been known to frequently visit [[Chadwelle]] in Estmere, with Munashe admitting in 2016 that "I've always enjoyed Estmerish culture." He owns two properties in Chadwelle, and has been said to have a "close relationship" with the Estmerish aristocracy.


==Titles, styles, and honors==
==Titles, styles, and honors==
*'''18 January, 1969 - 5 February, 1980''' ''Changamire'' Muchinda Munashe Ngonidzashe
*'''28 August, 1991 - 23 February, 2002''' ''His Royal Highness'' Prince Munashe Ngonidzashe
*'''5 February, 1980 - 21 September, 2019''' - ''Changamire'' Korona Muchinda Munashe Ngonidzashe
*'''23 February, 2002 - 21 February, 2019''' - ''His Royal Highness'' Crown Prince Munashe Ngonidzashe
*'''21 September, 2019 onwards''' - ''His Most Faithful Majesty'' Munashe Ngonidzashe
*'''21 February, 2019 onwards''' - ''His Most Faithful Majesty'' Munashe Ngonidzashe
*'''Full regnal title''' - ''His Most Faithful Majesty'' Ngonidzashe III, ''by the {{wp|Grace of God}}, and by the will of the Rwizikuran people through the [[Mberi kweRudzi|MR]]'s heroic efforts against [[Estmere|the colonizer]], Mambo and {{wp|Nganga#Shona N'anga/Zulu Nyanga|N'anga}} of the Rwizikuran nation and of the veRwizi people''
*'''Full regnal title''' - ''His Most Faithful Majesty'' Ngonidzashe II, ''by the {{wp|Grace of God}}, and by the will of the Rwizikuran people through the [[National Salvation Council (Rwizikuru)|National Salvation Council]], King and {{wp|Nganga#Shona N'anga/Zulu Nyanga|N'anga}} of the Rwizikuran nation and of the Rwizi people''


===Domestic honors===
===Domestic honors===
*{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Anogamuchira iyo Kurongeka kweTembo, 1988
*{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Ruby Jubilee Medal, 2008
*{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Anogamuchira iyo Kurongeka yeMeriti, 1991
*{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Order of Merit, 2011
*{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Changamire kwoRudzi, 2019
*{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Golden Jubilee Medal, 2018
*{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Sovereign of the Nation, 2019
*{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Commander of the Order of the Elephant, 2019


===Foreign honors===
===Foreign honors===
[[Category:Rwizikuru]]
* [[File:Order of Estmere ribbon Grand Cross Special Class.svg|80px]] Grand Cross with Special Class of the [[Order of Estmere]] (2020)
 
[[Category:Monarchy of Rwizikuru]]

Latest revision as of 23:28, 4 November 2023

Munashe Ngonidzashe
File:Munashe2018.jpg
King of Rwizikuru
Reign21 February, 2019 - present
PredecessorIzibongo Ngonidzashe
Heir apparentPaul Ngonidzashe
PremierTsuru Mawere
Born (1991-08-28) 28 August 1991 (age 33)
Guta raMambo, Rwizikuru
SpouseDitsheho Ngonidzashe
IssueMalcolm Ngonidzashe
Paul Ngonidzashe
Naleli Ngonidzashe
Full name
Barnabas Munashe Ngonidzashe
HouseHouse of Ngonidzashe
FatherIzibongo Ngonidzashe
MotherFarai Ngonidzashe
ReligionUnited Amended Church

Munashe Ngonidzashe (born 28 August, 1991) is the current Monarch of Rwizikuru, having ascended the throne on 21 February, 2019, after the death of his father, Izibongo Ngonidzashe. As monarch, he presided over the implementation of the 2020 Rwizikuran constitution which saw the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, with the first Premier under the new constitution taking power on 7 April, 2020, when Tsuru Mawere became head of government.

Born as the first son of Izibongo Ngonidzashe's second marriage with Farai Ngonidzashe, Munashe Ngonidzashe was second in line to the Rwizikuran throne until his half-brother, Joseph Ngonidzashe, died in an avalanche in 2002 while on a ski trip in the Neeves. As Joseph had no sons, Munashe became the heir apparent to the Rwizikuran throne.

Early life and education

Munashe Ngonidzashe was born to Izibongo Ngonidzashe and Farai Ngonidzashe, as the first son from that marriage on 28 August, 1991 in Guta raMambo. He was baptized into the United Amended Church as Barnabas Ngondizashe. At the time of his birth, he was second in line, behind his half-brother, Joseph Ngonidzashe, and ahead of his uncle, Ingwe Ngonidzashe.

In 1995, he entered a playgroup program at the King Izibongo School, making him the first royal to enter a preschool program. Tavonga went on to enter Reception at the King Izibongo School in 1997, and made his way through school at an average rate.

His teachers described him as being "average in all areas," and was expected to go to a secondary modern school after his "mediocre results" in the eleven-plus in 2003. However, his father was able to pull strings to allow Tavonga to attend the Shungudzemwoyo Ncube Grammar School in 2004, and finished Sixth Form in 2011.

While he had mediocre results, his father was able to persuade the University of Rwizikuru to allow him to attend classes: thus, in September 2011, he moved to Port Fitzhubert and studied political science.

In 2012, he met a Balisa commoner, Ditsheho Lekhotla at the University of Rwizikuru. In 2015, Tavonga Ngonidzashe graduated from the University of Rwizikuru with second class honors in political science. That same year, he married Ditsheho Lekhotla.

Crown Prince

Early years

Following the death of his half-brother in 2002, Munashe Ngonidzashe was promoted to Crown Prince. While this promoted him to the title, and led to Munashe Ngonidzashe making more public appearances from that point on, his age meant that his uncle, Ingwe Ngonidzashe remained influential, with some in the royal family expecting that he and his younger brother might be disinherited so that Ingwe could become the next King.

In 2006, Munashe Ngonidzashe made his first solo public appearance, when he gave a commencement speech at the Charles Fitzhubert School to incoming students. However, his solo public appearances were few and far between, with Munashe only making three solo appearances between 2006 and 2011.

Following his graduation from grammar school in 2011, Munashe Ngonidzashe began to take on some of his father's responsibilities and duties, as well as taking on some duties of his own within the royal family. In September 2014, he was named to his official government position, when Izibongo Ngonidzashe named him as Chief of the district of Gutaguru.

Regency

File:Izibongo and Munashe.jpg
Izibongo Ngonidzashe naming Munashe Ngonidzashe as regent, 2016

In June 2016, Izibongo Ngonidzashe formally designated Munashe Ngonidzashe as regent, due to Izibongo's deteriorating health and old age. This made Munashe Ngonidzashe the de-facto ruler of Rwizikuru, even though Izibongo Ngonidzashe still formally remained the King of Rwizikuru.

As regent, Munashe Ngonidzashe's first decree was to increase the pay to government officials, including soldiers of the Royal Rwizikuran Armed Forces and the Royal Rwizikuran Constabulary, in an attempt to combat rampant corruption. This was followed by another decree ordering the Constabulary to enforce legislation concerning corruption. Besides his focus on anti-corruption, Munashe Ngonidzashe would focus on improving the Rwizikuran education system: in 2017, he issued a decree that ordered new schools be built in fast-growing regions of the country so that the practice of hot-seating would end.

However, as regent, Munashe Ngonidzashe represented the King in all affairs: thus, he would meet with various international leaders during his tenure as regent. In 2018, he would oversee the King's Golden Jubilee celebrations, with Munashe Ngonidzashe representing Izibongo Ngonidzashe in many important events, excluding one in Guta raMambo where the King made his final public appearance. In October 2018, he directed the Rwizikuran government to begin negotiations with the Global Institute for Fiscal Affairs for another loan.

By late 2018, as Izibongo Ngonidzashe was hospitalised for the final time in Morwall, Munashe Ngonidzashe began to make preparations for his accession to the Rwizikuran throne.

Reign

Accession and reforms

On 21 February, 2019, Munashe Ngonidzashe acceded the throne following his father's death in Morwall. At the age of 27, Munashe was the youngest person to accede to the Rwizikuran throne.

His coronation was held on 1 June, 2019 at Saint Edward's Cathedral, with the rites of the United Amended Church. He was anointed by Priest James Gumede, before being crowned by him. Munashe then crowned his wife, Ditsheho, as Queen, and proclaimed her as the Queen. After he and his wife were crowned, Munashe received homage from the traditional chiefs of Rwizikuru, in a similar fashion to his father's coronations. Later that day, a lavish banquet was held at the royal palace.

After his coronation, Munashe Ngonidzashe expressed his intention to "have Rwizikuru progress with the times," which was hinted as Munashe intending to rule as a constitutional monarch. At the same time, negotiations with the Global Institute for Fiscal Affairs progressed significantly, and on 2 August, 2019, Munashe approved an agreement with the Global Institute of Fiscal Affairs in which the GIFA would provide Rwizikuru with a loan of one hundred million euclos in exchange for Rwizikuru undergoing further structural adjustment and establishing a constitutional monarchy, with the legislature being the only body allowed to pass and propose budgets, with the King prohibited from altering the budget.

That day, Munashe Ngonidzashe announced that a constitutional convention would be held to write up a new constitution for Rwizikuru, and vowed that a constitutional monarchy would "solve many of the issues that existed under [Izibongo Ngonidzashe's] reign." On 12 August, he appointed 14 delegates, and scheduled the election of 12 delegates for 16 September 2019. All of the delegates were summoned to the Port Fitzhubert campus of the University of Rwizikuru on 24 September, 2019.

On 1 October, 2019, with all the delegates present, Munashe Ngonidzashe formally opened the constitutional convention, and authorised it to draft a new Rwizikuran constitution to supersede the Basic Law of Rwizikuru. Munashe was to serve as the chairman of the constitutional convention, and thus would be presiding over the proceedings.

After four months of work, the new constitution was promulgated by Munashe Ngonidzashe on 17 January, 2020, and he scheduled the first elections under the new constitution to take place on 3 April, 2020.

Constitutional monarch

On 7 April, 2020, he officially became a constitutional monarch when the National Assembly elected Tsuru Mawere to be the first head of government under the 2020 constitution. Munashe's role was reduced significantly, with Munashe only maintaining legislative powers over the House of Ngonidzashe and the line of succession.

On 14 October, 2020, Munashe Ngonidzashe made his first executive action since the promulgation of the Rwizikuran constitution when he disinherited his eldest son, Malcolm Ngonidzashe, who had been the Crown Prince since his accession to the Rwizikuran throne, because of Malcolm's "severe developmental delays." This automatically made Malcolm's younger brother, Paul Ngonidzashe, Crown Prince.

On his Accession Day speech in 2021, Munashe Ngonidzashe declared that the role of the Rwizikuran monarch was to "serve as a unifying figure of the Rwizikuran nation," and that the Rwizikuran monarch should "only be involved in politics if called upon" by the government, and to otherwise "stay above the political arena" to avoid undermining Rwizikuru's "fledgling democracy."

Personal life

Munashe Ngonidzashe married Ditsheho Ngonidzashe in 2015, and had two sons: Malcolm Ngonidzashe in 2016, and Paul Ngonidzashe in 2018, and a daughter: Naleli Ngonidzashe, born in 2020.

He is fluent in Rwizi, Estmerish and Gaullican, and can "comfortably hold a conversation" in Senrian.

He is a member of the United Amended Church, but unlike his father, he is not "particularly devout."

Titles, styles, and honors

  • 28 August, 1991 - 23 February, 2002 His Royal Highness Prince Munashe Ngonidzashe
  • 23 February, 2002 - 21 February, 2019 - His Royal Highness Crown Prince Munashe Ngonidzashe
  • 21 February, 2019 onwards - His Most Faithful Majesty Munashe Ngonidzashe
  • Full regnal title - His Most Faithful Majesty Ngonidzashe II, by the Grace of God, and by the will of the Rwizikuran people through the National Salvation Council, King and N'anga of the Rwizikuran nation and of the Rwizi people

Domestic honors

Foreign honors

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