Rhodesia

The African Fine Art & Book Co

Salisbury

The African Fine Art & Book Co produced a number of commemorative covers during 1979-80.

Commemorative Covers

1971 – Petrol Rationing Ends

Petrol Rationing Ends

14 May 1971

Rhodesia declared Independence in 1965 and soon after, economic sanctions against the country commenced. The supply of petrol had been through the port of Beira, and from there through a pipeline to Rhodesia. Petrol rationing started 28 December 1965.

On 10 April 1966, a resolution was passed by the United Nations Security Council, that Britain should use force to prevent oil flowing to Rhodesia via Beira. The blockade of Beira commenced and the pipeline closed. While the blockade remained, on 14 May 1971, the Prime Minister was able to end petrol rationing.

Commemorative Covers

Alaska Mine

Alaska Mine is large open pit copper mine 13 miles (20 km) NNW of Sinoia. It is believed it named after the rich goldfields which had been discovered about the same time in Alaska, North America. In pre-colonial times, miners were believed to have mined about a million tonnes of ore at the mine and it was regarded as the largest of ancient workings in Zimbabwe. It is the centre of smelting and refining operations for all the Lomagundi copper mines.

Messina (Transvaal) Development Company (MTD), associated with Mangula Mines Ltd but separately incorporated in Rhodesia as Lomagundi Smelting and Mining Ltd, started producing copper in 1959. MTD built a smelter nearby in 1966 and a refinery in 1980 but the mine closed in 1977. Other mines in the district also produced copper flotation concentrate which was brought to Alaska for smelting and refining. These Mines included Mhangura copper mine in Mhangura and Shackleton mine near Lions Den.

The smelter and refinery closed in late 2000 by which time most of the mines feeding it had to close, devastating the local economy and plunging the town’s inhabitants into poverty. Periodic reports of Chinese investment reopening the mine and smelter have not come to fruition.

Reconstruction of the Alaska Smelting Plant has started nearly two decades after the facility owned by the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, stopped operations. Alaska was shut down at the turn of the millennium following the closure of Mhangura Copper Mines-also owned by the ZMDC, which provided concentrate for the smelter.

Postal Services

The Postal Agency operated from the Alaska Trading Store.

1976.10.25 – Opened as Post and Telegraph Agency.
1977.12.31 – Closed.
1978.02.01 – Re-opened.
1993.02.01 – Regraded to Sub Office/Money Telegraph Office

Postmarks

References

Colourful Place Names of Rhodesia and their origin – Phillipa Berlyn
Journal of the Rhodesian Study Circle No.111
Journal of the Rhodesian Study Circle No.242
Journal of the Rhodesian Study Circle No.244
www.herald.co.zw

Southern Rhodesia State Lotteries: Lottery Tickets 1960-1969

Southern Rhodesia State Lotteries

Lottery Tickets 1960-69

1967

1963

Southern Rhodesia State Lotteries

The idea of a State Lottery first came up in 1929 when railwaymen, represented by MP Jackie Keller, were particularly hard hit by the depression. In an attempt to raise funds for the most needy cases, he ran the ‘Unity Stakes’. This unofficial lottery was a success, benefiting many charities and individuals at a time when there was very little public money for relief work. However, the venture was considered illegal and Keller was taken to court and fined $100. Keller took the matter to Parliament, determined that the lottery should be put on an official, state basis.

On 3 March 1934, a referendum was held to create a State Lottery. The outcome resulted in a vote of 16,946 in favour for and 3,604 against. On 11 May 1935, the State Lotteries Act was passed making sweepstakes legal under Government control in Southern Rhodesia. The official wheels of fortune had their first spin on 20 December 1935

The office came under the control of the Ministry of Finance and Commerce.

Lottery Tickets

Postcards

Type I

References

Year Book and Guide of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland 1944
www.rhodesianheritage.blogspot.com

Contributors

Geoff Brakspear

Rhodesia State Lotteries: Lottery Tickets 1970-1979

Rhodesia State Lotteries

Lottery Tickets 1970-1979

1979

1976

1975

1973

1972

1970

Bulawayo Public Library

Bulawayo

The Bulawayo Public Library was founded 1896 when the European settlers established public libraries to cater for their information, recreational, educational and cultural needs. A twelve man library Committee was chosen to run the facility and their major role was to fundraise for the library.

A foundation stone of the 8th Avenue /Fort Street site was laid on the 5th of November 1897 by Lord Milner during his visit for the opening of the Railway. In 1902 the library also house The Rhodesia Museum.

: 01.04.1970

Since its establishment the library has remained popular to many readers in the city of Bulawayo and the whole of the Southern Region. The services that this library provides are largely as a result of enthusiasm and energy given over many years by the committees,librarians as well as staff members. The institution is registered in terms of the welfare Organizations Act (Chapter 93).

References

www.byopubliclibrary.org

Rhodesia: Department of the Prime Minister

Department of the Prime Minister

The Prime Minister of Rhodesia was the head of government in Rhodesia. Prime Minister Ian Smith’s government issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain in 1965, and he remained Prime Minister when the country was declared a republic in 1970.

: 26.04.1968

Under the Internal Settlement in 1979, after a long period of conflict, the country became known as Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, with Abel Muzorewa as its first black Prime Minister. The office of Prime Minister of Zimbabwe was abolished in 1987, when Robert Mugabe became executive President. However, in 2009, it was restored through political negotiations, resulting in Morgan Tsvangirai becoming the first prime minister of the country in over 21 years.