Takakunda Kuda Kani
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The Honourable Takakunda Kuda Kani | |
|---|---|
 Takakunda in 1983 | |
| 1st President of Garambura | |
| In office 16 February 1969 – 14 May 1984 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Tapfuma Nkondo |
| Secretary-General of the Congress of Bahian States | |
| In office 20 June 1984 – 9 February 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Khulani Hluphizwe |
| Succeeded by | Getasew Merhawi |
| Leader of the East Riziland Liberation Front | |
| In office 18 March 1964 – 16 February 1969 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 17, 1928 Sainte-Germaine, Baséland, Gaullican Empire |
| Died | May 14, 2001 (aged 73) New Mina, Garambura |
| Resting place | Near Mambiza, Garambura (ashes scattered) |
| Political party | Pan-Bahian Youth Union (1950–1954) Mubatanidzwa weVakuru (1954–1964) East Riziland Republicans (1964) East Riziland Liberation Front (1964–1969) Garamburan National Party (1969–1984) |
| Spouse(s) | Biria Mudzuri (m. 1957; his death 2001) |
| Children | 3 |
Takakunda Kuseka Zvinavashe Mutongo Kuda Kani (17 March 1928 – 14 May 2001; aged 73) was a Garamburan anti-colonial activist, Garamburan independence activist, statesman, politician and author who served as President of Garambura from the position's establishment following the conclusion of the Garamburan War of Independence to May 14, 1984, and Secretary-General of the Congress of Bahian States from 1984 to 1989. Takakunda's official tenure of 15 years makes him one of the longest serving democratic leaders in post-colonial Bahian history. He is also renowned for his number of re-elections, totaling three over his lifetime, with Garambura rating high on political freedom indexes throughout his tenure and into the modern day due to his influence.
Takakunda began his political activism in 1946, aged 18, when he made headlines in Estmere over his political stunt by standing on top of the Central Bank of Sainte-Germaine and waving a sign saying "Freedom for Bahia! Death to Imperialism!, a phrase that would later famously become attributed to him. He was arrested in 1947 after marching with a parade of independence activists through the streets of Sainte-Germaine, and imprisoned for two years for dissident behaviour. Released in 1949, Takakumba embarked on a course of starvation, only drinking water, until Rwizikuran police arrested and imprisoned him again, force feeding him in prison to keep him alive. Released yet again in 1954, the foundation of the United Bahian Republic saw Takakunda keep his public profile low, whilst still participating in assorted protests in Sainte-Germaine throughout the 1950s and 1960s. When Tabora seceded from the UBR in 1964, Takakunda again began campaigning for a similar Garamburan secession. When the UBR dissolved in 1968, Takakunda had already assembled large amounts of freedom fighters and guerrilla forces due to his publicity, seceding from Rwizikuru in 1969.
Successfully achieving Garamburan independence in April, Takakunda set about reforming the Garamburan economy and culture to "de-imperialise" the nation. The Garamburan denier was introduced as legal tender in 1970 and diplomatic relations were established with Mabifia and ex-UBR member Djedet. Takakunda was re-elected in 1974 after record economic growth - the highest in Bahia at the time - lifted many out of poverty in Mambiza. Following his re-election, he successfully negotiated with Kupakwashe Ngonidzashe in lifting the Rwizikuran veto on Garamburan accession to the Congress of Bahian States, which Garambura joined in the 1979, leading to further re-election in the same year. In the 1980s, Garambura established friendly ties with the Euclean Community and became an economic associate of COMSED, reaffirming Garamburan neutrality in world affairs and its "commitment for global peace". Under Takakunda, Garambura was subsequently modernised and Mambiza became one of Bahia's most influential economic hubs in Garambura, followed closely by New Mina, who Takakunda introduced policies to incite its growth into a modern Bahian city. Takakunda was supported by Estmere, Gaullica and Werania throughout his tenure as an influential non-communist figure in Bahia, particularly after revolutions in Tabora and Djedet. Takakunda announced his retirement from politics after losing the 1984 election to fellow party-member Tapfuma Mkondo. He subsequently served a five-year term as Secretary-General of the Congress of Bahian States between 1984 and 1989.
Takakunda's influence on the modern Garamburan state and Bahian democracy as a whole has led him to widely regarded as one of the greatest Bahian post-colonial leaders in history. Takakunda was cremated and had his ashes scattered into the Banfura Sea on the coast of Mambiza, and given a full state funeral, attended by many world leaders. A five-day mourning period was instated due to Takakunda's death, with a snap election being called after the mourning period, with fellow party member Chisi Ndlovu winning the presidency.