Takakunda Kuda Kani

The Honourable Takakunda Kuda Kani
Takakunda in 1993
1st President of Garambura
In office 16 February 1969 – 14 May 2001
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Chisi Ndlovu
Leader of the East Riziland Liberation Front
In office 18 March 1964 – 16 February 1969
Personal details
Born	(1928-03-17)March 17, 1928 Sainte-Germaine, Baséland, Gaullican Empire
Died	May 14, 2001(2001-05-14) (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 (1969–2001)
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 his death on May 14, 2001. Takakunda's official tenure of 32 years makes him the longest serving leader in post-colonial Bahian history. He is also renowned for his record-breaking number of re-elections, totaling six 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 and 1979 after record economic growth - the highest in Bahia at the time - lifted many out of poverty in Mambiza. Following his second 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 1979. In the 1980s Garambura established friendly ties with the Euclean Community, became an economic associate of COMSED and joined the ROSPO-affiliated IFDS, reaffirming Garamburan neutrality in world affairs and its "commitment for global peace". Re-elected again in 1984, 1989 and 1994, Garamburan 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 anti-communist figure in Bahia, particularly after revolutions in Tabora and Djedet. Re-elected for a final time in 1999, Takakunda led a dormant final two years of his reign, before he passed away in his sleep overnight at a hotel in New Mina.

Takakunda's influence on the modern Garamburan state and Bahian democracy as a whole has led him to widely regarded as the greatest Bahian post-colonial leader 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.