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, with one teacher noting that Izibongo Ngonidzashe "could easily be to Bahia what Sigmund Auerswald was to Euclea."
Military career
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. During this period, Izibongo Ngonidzashe would also serve as a military instructor at the newly established Port Fitzhubert Military Academy in Port Fitzhubert.
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."
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 Rwizikuran Army planning a military coup against his government.
Coup d'etats and early leadership
On 3 November, 1963, while Vudzijena Nhema was attending an AESE conference, the Rwizikuran military successfully overthrew the government, with Izibongo Ngonidzashe seizing control of the 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."
Nhema's vice-president, Pierre-Ardachir Niyonzima was installed as President, pursuant to the 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."
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 second coup d'etat.
On 18 January, 1964, the military declared that Niyonzima resigned, and that "due to the security situation in Rwizikuru, a 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.
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.
(TBC)