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| {{Infobox royalty | | {{Template:WIP}} |
| |name = Izibongo Ngonidzashe | | {{Infobox Christian denomination |
| |image = IzibongoNgonidzashe75.jpg | | | icon =Middle_Byzantine_Cross-crosslet.png |
| |succession = [[Monarchy of Rwizikuru|Mambo of Rwizikuru]] | | | icon_width =20px |
| |reign = 1 June, 1968 - 21 September, 1979 | | | icon_alt = |
| |predecessor = ''himself as President'' | | | name = Patriarchate of Miersa |
| |suc-type = | | | image = VA23Oct10_096-crop.jpg |
| |successor = [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]] | | | imagewidth = 300px |
| |succession2 = [[President of Rwizikuru|Chairman of the National Salvation Council]] | | | alt = |
| |reign2 = 18 January, 1964 - 1 June, 1968 | | | caption = The Eagle of Saint John, the symbol of the Patriarchate |
| |suc-type2 = | | | abbreviation = |
| |predecessor2 = [[Pierre-Ardachir Niyonzima]] {{small|(as President)}} | | | type = |
| |successor2 = ''himself as Mambo'' | | | main_classification = [[Episemialist Church|Episemialism]] |
| |reg-type2 = {{nowrap|[[Vice-President of Rwizikuru|Vice-President]]}} | | | orientation = |
| |regent2 = [[Fred Ngonidzashe]] | | | scripture = {{wp|Septuagint}}, {{wp|New Testament}} |
| |spouse = [[Anatswanashe Ngonidzashe]] | | | theology = Tengarian Episemialist Theology |
| |issue = 10+ children, including [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]] | | | polity = [[wikipedia:Episcopal polity|Episcopal]] |
| |full name = Nathaniel Izibongo Ngonidzashe | | | governance = |
| |house = [[House of Ngonidzashe]] | | | structure = |
| |father = [[Munonzwa Ngonidzashe]] | | | leader_title = High Primate |
| |mother = [[Kugarakunzwana Ngonidzashe]] | | | leader_name = Archbishop of Istros and Patriarch of All Tengaria [[Angel V]] |
| |birth_date = {{birth date|1921|4|28|df=y}} | | | leader_title1 = Metropolitans |
| |birth_place = [[Vongai]], [[Rwizikuru|Riziland]] (present-day [[Rwizikuru]]) | | | leader_name1 = 7 |
| |death_date = {{death date and age|1979|9|21|1921|04|28|df=y}} | | | leader_title2 = Archbishops |
| |death_place = [[Crogan]], [[Rwizikuru]] | | | leader_name2 = 12 |
| |religion = {{wp|Methodism|High Estmerish Church}} | | | leader_title3 = Bishops |
| |occupation = {{wp|General officer|General}}, {{wp|politician}} | | | leader_name3 = 27 |
| |signature = | | | fellowships_type = |
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| | | associations = |
| | | area = |
| | | language = {{wp|Old Church Slavonic|Old Church Marolevic}} |
| | | liturgy = |
| | | headquarters = [[Cathedral of the Logos]], [[Istros]] |
| | | territory = [[Tengaria]], |
| | | possessions = [[Bistravia]], [[Amathia]], [[Ravnia]], Tengarian Churches abroad |
| | | origin_link = |
| | | founder = {{wp|John the Apostle|St. John}} (trad.) |
| | | founded_date = First Century |
| | | founded_place = [[Istros]] |
| | | independence = |
| | | reunion = |
| | | recognition = 1000 AD |
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| | | defunct = |
| | | congregations_type = |
| | | congregations = |
| | | members = 22,022,121 |
| | | ministers_type = |
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| | | churches = |
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| | | publications = |
| | | website = |
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| | | footnotes = |
| }} | | }} |
| '''Izibongo Ngonidzashe''' (28 April, 1921 - 21 September, 1979) was a politician and military official, serving as {{wp|general}}, as the [[President of Rwizikuru|Chairman of the National Salvation Council]] after a [[Rwizikuran coup d'etat, 1964|1964 coup]] that overthrew [[Pierre-Ardachir Niyonzima]], and the first [[Monarchy of Rwizikuru|Mambo of Rwizikuru]], ascending the throne in 1968, and reigning until his death in 1979. Having been in power for 15 years, 8 months, and 3 days, he was the longest reigning leader of an independent Rwizikuru until his son and successor, [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]] surpassed his record on 25 May, 1995 as the longest reigning leader of Rwizikuru. | | The '''Miersan Episemialist Church''' ({{wp|Polish language|Miersan}}: TBD), also known as the '''Patriarchate of Miersa''' ({{wp|Polish language|Miersan}}: TBD), is a [[Miersa|Miersan]] [[Sotirianity|Sotirian]] [[Episemialist Church|Episemialist]] church that operates within Miersa. |
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| ==Early life== | | ==History== |
| Izibongo Ngonidzashe was born on 28 April, 1921, as the second child and eldest son of [[Munonzwa Ngonidzashe]] and [[Kugarakunzwana Ngonidzashe]] in the town of [[Vongai]] at the district of [[Parunoguma]]. His father was the youngest son of [[Mutupo Ngonidzashe]], who was the main ruler of the area around present-day Vongai in the late nineteenth century, whose ancestors held control of the area since roughly the 1700s.
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| His family moved to [[Port Fitzhubert]] in 1923, as his father sought to give his children a good education. Thus, in 1926, Izibongo Ngonidzashe entered the [[Charles Fitzhubert School]], where he was described as an excellent student by his teachers, and he was noted for his propensity to go into the library to study military history for hours at a time. However, the outbreak of the [[Great War (Kylaris)|Great War]] and the subsequent [[Gaullica|Gaullican]] occupation would affect Izibongo's worldview, with Izibongo taking a stronger interest in military strategies, as well as politics.
| | ==Organisation== |
| | | ===Patriarch=== |
| In 1932, he finished his elementary studies, and took the exams to get into the [[Shungudzemwoyo Nhema Grammar School|James Parlow Grammar School]] (present-day [[Shungudzemwoyo Nhema Grammar School]]). After passing them, he began his schooling at the James Parlow Grammar School, where they noted his "knowledge of most things," and his charisma, with one teacher noting that Izibongo Ngonidzashe "could easily be to [[Bahia]] what [[Sigmund Auerswald]] was to [[Euclea]]."
| | The head of the Miersan Episemialist Church is the '''patriarch''' ({{wp|Polish language|Miersan}}: ''patriarcha''). (TBC) |
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| ==Military career== | |
| [[File:Izibongocampaign54.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Official portrait of Izibongo Ngonidzashe, 1961]]
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| After finishing {{wp|sixth form}} in 1939, Izibongo Ngonidzashe would enlist in the colonial militia. Originally an enlisted soldier within the infantry, because of Izibongo Ngonidzashe's intelligence and interest in military strategies, Izibongo Ngonidzashe would be sent for further training at [[Godfredson Military Academy]] in [[Estmere]], where he was the only non-[[Freemen]] in the class.
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| After completing officer training in 1943, Izibongo Ngonidzashe would return back to Riziland as a Lieutenant, where Izibongo Ngonidzashe would be one of the first Bahian officers in the militia. By that point, the Colony of Riziland was preparing for independence, due to Estmere's financial woes in the post-[[Great War (Kylaris)|Great War]] period, leading to Izibongo Ngonidzashe being a valuable asset in Estmere's plans to maintain influence over Riziland post-independence. Thus, on the eve of independence, Izibongo Ngonidzashe has risen to the rank of Major. In 1946, with Riziland gaining independence as [[Rwizikuru]], Izibongo Ngonidzashe would be promoted to Colonel. During this period, Izibongo Ngonidzashe would also serve as a military instructor at the newly established [[Port Fitzhubert Military Academy]] in [[Port Fitzhubert]].
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| With the election of [[Vudzijena Nhema]] as [[President of Rwizikuru]], succeeding pro-Estmerish [[Zophar Bohannon]] in 1960, Izibongo Ngonidzashe's position would rise significantly, as Nhema sought to nativize the military: by 1957, at only the age of 36, Izibongo Ngonidzashe had risen to the rank of General, and in 1961 would become the Chief of Staff to the President. At around this point in time, Izibongo Ngonidzashe became increasingly critical of the Rwizikuran government, particularly over its decision to join the [[United Bahian Republic]], which he believed "needlessly endangered Rwizikuran national security."
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| By 1963, with [[Yemet]] joining the United Bahian Republic, and with [[Maucha]] coveting lands within Rwizikuru, Izibongo Ngonidzashe became concerned that the United Bahian Republic would "vastly undermine Rwizikuran independence and sovereignty." At this point in time, growing opposition in both [[Yekumavirira]] and in [[East Riziland]] against Vudzijena Nhema's economic policies, combined with Nhema's abuse of power led to the [[Royal Rwizikuran Armed Forces|Rwizikuran Army]] planning a {{wp|military coup}} against his government.
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| ==Coup d'etats and early leadership== | |
| [[File:Don_Francisco_Macias.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Civilian portrait of Izibongo Ngonidzashe, 1967]]
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| On 3 November, 1963, while [[Vudzijena Nhema]] was attending an [[Association of Emerging Socialist Economies|AESE]] conference, the [[Royal Rwizikuran Armed Forces|Rwizikuran military]] successfully [[Rwizikuran coup d'etat, 1963|overthrew the government]], with Izibongo Ngonidzashe seizing control of the [[NMR|national radio station]] to announce that Nhema was deposed for "hindering the country's development" and threatened his arrest and trial "should he ever step foot on Rwizi soil."
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| Nhema's vice-president, [[Pierre-Ardachir Niyonzima]] was installed as President, pursuant to the [[Constitution of Rwizikuru, 1946|Rwizikuran constitution]]. However, in practice, Izibongo Ngonidzashe and the military held the real power, with Niyonzima being told by Ngonidzashe upon becoming President that "if you don't obey us, you will meet the same fate as Nhema."
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| Initially, President Niyonzima seemed willing to follow the military's directives, and reverted much of Nhema's economic policy. However, on 17 January, 1964, when he refused an order from Izibongo Ngonidzashe to "withdraw immediately from the [[United Bahian Republic]]," Niyonzima was summoned to Izibongo Ngonidzashe's residence, where he was believed to have been killed in a [[Rwizikuran coup d'etat, 1964|second coup d'etat]].
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| On 18 January, 1964, the military declared that Niyonzima resigned, and that "due to the security situation in Rwizikuru, a [[National Salvation Council (Rwizikuru)|National Salvation Council]] is to govern the country to bring back stability and economic growth to the Republic," shortly after Izibongo offered the Presidency to [[Zophar Bohannon]], who turned down the offer.
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| The National Salvation Council was made up of five figures, of which the initial five were [[Increase Barnard]], [[Promise Kabweza]], [[Chamunorwa Mnkandla]], Izibongo Ngonidzashe, and [[Nehemiah Taylor]]. However, Izibongo Ngonidzashe was appointed Chairman of the National Salvation Council, due to Izibongo Ngonidzashe's "charisma on radio" and his ability to communicate effectively with the Rwizikuran population.
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| As Chairman of the National Salvation Council, Izibongo Ngonidzashe had a free hand to reverse most of Vudzijena Nhema's economic and social policies, seeking to reorient Rwizikuru's economy towards [[Euclea]] and restore Bohannon's "sensible economic policies." However, one issue that always held his attention was the situation in [[Yekumavirira]], where the [[Irfan|Irfani]] majority were critical of continued Rwizikuran rule over the area. This led to Izibongo Ngonidzashe cracking down on minority groups, with {{wp|Kinyarwanda language|Kirobyi}} being banned from public use in 1965, as well as targetting Irfan, declaring in 1966 that only three mazars would remain open: one in [[Sainte-Germaine]], one in [[Port Fitzhubert]], and one in [[Port Vaugeois]]. These policies culminated in the [[Port Vaugeois massacre]], which killed 22 people, and led to the declaration of an armed struggle by the [[Yekumavirira Liberation Movement]] who fought against the Rwizikuran government.
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| By 1967, Izibongo Ngonidzashe had replaced almost all of the National Salvation Council with his own supporters, and he began making plans to create a monarchy. These were opposed by [[Promise Kabweza]], who feared that it would destabilize Rwizikuru too much, and would be a "violation of [Izibongo's] own promise when he overthrew Niyonzima." It culminated in an [[Port Fitzhubert putsch, 1968|attempted coup]] the following year, led by Promise Kabweza, but Izibongo Ngonidzashe's loyalists were able to quell the coup.
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| By March 1968, Izibongo Ngonidzashe began making plans to create an {{wp|absolute monarchy}}, convinced that republicanism was "not feasible for societies like Rwizikuru, who need the rule of a strong king to bind the nation together."
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| ==Monarch==
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| ===Coronation and wars===
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| [[File:GWOI1.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Garamburan forces entering [[Ntawha]] after the [[Battle of Ntawha]], 1969]]
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| On 1 June, 1968, Izibongo Ngonidzashe held a coronation ceremony. On the advice of TBD, it was held in the citadel at [[Munzwa|Old Munzwa]], with "every chief and prince across the land" invited to pay homage to the new King in a traditional Rwizi ceremony. Most chiefs attended, but many chiefs from [[Yekumavirira]] refused to pay homage, in protest of Izibongo's policies.
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| Following his coronation, he declared that he would rule as an absolute monarch, but vowed to maintain "strong relations with [[Estmere]]." At first, Izibongo Ngonidzashe's reign was marked by a continuation of his pro-Estmerish economic policy, but with the outbreak of the [[Mabifian-Rwizikuran War]] on 6 October, 1968 over Yekumavirira, Izibongo Ngonidzashe was forced to pay full attention to the war. Despite initial success at beating back the Mabifian forces, with Estmerish support, the Mabifians would begin making inroads by December 1968, and following the defeat in the [[Mabifian-Rwizikuran War#Battle of Port Vaugeois|Battle of Port Vaugeois]] on 16 March, 1969, the Rwizikuran government was forced to sign the [[Treaty of Snarksburgh]] to end the war, which led to much of Rwizikuru's [[Irfan|Irfanic]] population moving towards [[Mabifia]].
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| At the same time as the Battle of Port Vaugeois, the Rwizikuran military faced a [[Garamburan War of Independence|war of independence]] against Rwizikuru in [[East Riziland]]. With widespread support for the cause, even by Estmere, combined with the [[Royal Rwizikuran Armed Forces|Rwizikuran military]] being "substantially demoralised" due to their defeat, by the end of April, East Riziland would gain its independence as [[Garambura]], although Izibongo Ngonidzashe sought to reincorporate Garambura into Rwizikuru.
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| With the loss of virtually all of Yekumavirira and all of East Riziland, (TBC)
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| ==Death==
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| On the 21st of September, 1979, after visiting the Saunders farm outside of [[Crogan]] in the district of [[Dzakakwirira]], Izibongo Ngonidzashe was heading back to Crogan in a royal motorcade, to attend a banquet held in his honor by the white community in Crogan, when the car he was in experienced a {{wp|Side collision#Broadside or T-bone collision|broadside collision}} as they were entering the outskirts of town. The driver was immediately arrested by his bodyguards, while Izibongo was rushed in another car to the local hospital.
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| By the time Izibongo Ngonidzashe arrived, he was in a {{wp|critical condition}}. Despite the doctors' best efforts at treating him, he was declared dead at 4:58 pm. The news was immediately communicated to the crown prince, [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]], who was in [[Guta raMambo]] at the time.
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| With the rest of the royal family informed, Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe informed the [[NMR]] to immediately broadcast the news of Izibongo's death: thus, at 5:50 pm, the news was broadcast over radio from the flag station at [[Port Fitzhubert]]. The broadcast was repeated, as all other stations cut to the flag station's coverage.
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| The following day, [[Kwasiza]] published a front-page obituary to the deceased [[Monarchy of Rwizikuru|Mambo]], and hailed Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe as the new Mambo of Rwizikuru.
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| His body was transported by plane to Port Fitzhubert, as the church in Guta raMambo was not completed, where he {{wp|lying in state|laid in state}} at the old palace in Port Fitzhubert. On 1st October, a funeral service was held at [[Saint David's Church, Port Fitzhubert|Saint David's Church]] in {{wp|Methodism|High Estmerish}} rites. His body was subsequently flown back to Guta raMambo, where he was interred at the royal cemetery.
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| The driver (a [[Murungu]] farmer) was tried in December 1979, and was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for {{wp|vehicular manslaughter}}. However, Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe pardoned the driver in May 1980.
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| There have been allegations by some senior royals in the past that the driver was an Estmerish spy, but it has been denied by both Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe, and the Estmerish.
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| ==Legacy==
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| [[File:Francisco_Macías_Nguema.jpg|150px|thumb|right|A profile of him on a [[Rwizikuran shilling]] banknote, c. 1980]]
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| Izibongo Ngonidzashe's legacy has generally been negative, especially among foreigners. Supporters, such as [[Rupenyu Chikerema]], professor at the [[University of Rwizikuru]], and sociologist [[Watinoda Kumbula]] have praised Izibongo's achievements in developing a "non-colonial society," with his appeal to {{wp|Shona people|Rwizi}} traditions, culture, and nationalism, as well as his commitment to not accepting any form of foreign aid.
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| However, opponents, such as [[Muchazvireva Ngonidzashe]], leader of the [[Rwizikuru government-in-exile]] in [[Caldia]], and professor (TBD) of (TBD university) have criticized his authoritarian nature, his willingness to oppress minorities, both ethnic (in the case of the [[Mirites]]) and religious (in the case of the [[Irfan|Irfanic]] population), and the fact that he had stymied development out of fear that foreign countries would exploit Rwizikuru's wealth. Many opponents in [[Bahia]] also noted that his declaration of an absolute monarchy played a key role in destroying the [[United Bahian Republic]], as it precipitated [[Tabora]]'s withdrawal, and led to the deadlock which tore the organisation apart following the [[Garamburan War of Independence]].
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| While it is impossible to determine accurate statistics on his approval rating, due to Rwizikuru's {{wp|lèse-majesté}} laws, many in Rwizikuru have appreciated him for his efforts at creating a non-colonial society.
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| In addition, many places in Rwizikuru are named after him, such as the [[King Izibongo School]] in [[Guta raMambo]], and the [[Izibongo Memorial Hospital]] in [[Crogan]], where he died, and was renamed posthumously.
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| ==Personal life==
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| In 1939, Izibongo Ngonidzashe met his future wife, 18 year old [[Anatswanashe Ngonidzashe|Anatswanashe Nhema]], daughter of [[Shungudzemwoyo Nhema]], when his uncle introduced him to her father, fellow nationalist [[Shungudzemwoyo Nhema]]. After having fallen in love, they got married in 1940.
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| He was the father of five sons with [[Anatswanshe Ngonidzashe]]: [[Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe]], who was born in 1942, [[Simbarashe Ngonidzashe]] who was born in 1944, and died in 1996, [[Tashongedzwa Ngonidzashe]], who was born in 1947, Shungudzemwoyo Ngonidzashe, who was born in 1950 and died in 1959 of {{wp|malaria}}, and [[Taropafadzwa Ngonidzashe]], who was born in 1954.
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| In addition, he had five daughters with Anatswanshe Ngonidzashe: Farisai Chimutengwende, born in 1941 and died in 2005, Chiratidzo Towungana, who was born in 1944 as a twin sibling of Simbarashe, Tinotendaisheanesu Mnkandla, who was born in 1952, Nyemwererai Mtawarira, who was born in 1956, and died in 2011, and the youngest daughter, Isheanopa Ngonidzashe, who was born in 1958.
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| However, from the early 1970s onward, he exercised the {{wp|droit du seigneur|droit de cuissage}}. By the time of his death in 1979, he had at least three illegitimate children of various women between 1971 and 1979, with some sources claiming that he had as many as 70 illegitimate children in that time span.
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| He was a member of the [[Embrian Communion]], and was known to be extraordinarily devout, with a priest in [[Port Fitzhubert]] saying that Izibongo was "an extraordinary member of the church: he made sure to attend every service, and sought to expound these principles in everyone."
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| He was fluent in {{wp|Shona language|Rwizi}}, {{wp|English language|Estmerish}}, and {{wp|French language|Gaullican}}, and could carry a basic conversation in the {{wp|Kinyarwanda language|Kirobyi language}}.
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| ==Titles and honors==
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| *'''28 April, 1921 - 2 December, 1954''' - Izibongo Ngonidzashe
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| *'''2 December, 1954 - 2 December, 1964''' - ''His Excellency'' Izibongo Ngonidzashe, ''President of the Republic of Rwizikuru''
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| *'''2 December, 1964 - 21 September, 1979''' - ''His Most Faithful Majesty'' Izibongo Ngonidzashe
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| *'''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 [[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 Rwizi people''
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| ===Domestic honors===
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| *{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Sovereign of the Nation, 1968
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| *{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Commander of the Order of the Elephant, 1968
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| *{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - Order of Merit, 1950
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| *{{flagicon|Rwizikuru}} - [[Mabifian-Rwizikuran War]] Medal, 1969
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| ===Foreign honors===
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| (TBC) | |
