User:Luziyca/Sandbox
| Izibongo Ngonidzashe | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:IzibongoNgonidzashe75.jpg | |||||
| Mambo of Rwizikuru | |||||
| Reign | 1 June, 1968 - 21 September, 1979 | ||||
| Predecessor | himself as President | ||||
| Successor | Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe | ||||
| Chairman of the National Salvation Council | |||||
| Reign | 18 January, 1964 - 1 June, 1968 | ||||
| Predecessor | Pierre-Ardachir Niyonzima (as President) | ||||
| Successor | himself as Mambo | ||||
| Vice-President | Fred Ngonidzashe | ||||
| Born | 28 April 1921 Vongai, Riziland (present-day Rwizikuru) | ||||
| Died | 21 September 1979 (aged 58) Crogan, Rwizikuru | ||||
| Spouse | Anatswanashe Ngonidzashe | ||||
| Issue | 10+ children, including Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe | ||||
| |||||
| House | House of Ngonidzashe | ||||
| Father | Munonzwa Ngonidzashe | ||||
| Mother | Kugarakunzwana Ngonidzashe | ||||
| Religion | High Estmerish Church | ||||
| Occupation | General, politician | ||||
Izibongo Ngonidzashe (28 April, 1921 - 21 September, 1979) was a politician and military official, serving as general, as the Chairman of the National Salvation Council after a 1964 coup that overthrew Pierre-Ardachir Niyonzima, and the first 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.
Early life
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.
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 and the subsequent Gaullican occupation would affect Izibongo's worldview, with Izibongo taking a stronger interest in military strategies, as well as politics.
In 1932, he finished his elementary studies, and took the exams to get into the 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, which they likened to his father.
Military career
Early years
After finishing 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.
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 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.