Declaration of Republic 2 March 1970 During a two-proposition referendum held in 1969, the proposal for severing all remaining ties to the British Crown passed by a majority of 61,130 votes to 14,327. Rhodesia declared itself a republic on 2 March 1970. Under the new constitution, a president served as ceremonial head of state, with the…
Smith Accepts Peace Proposal 24 September 1976 The United States Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, announced a formal interest in the Rhodesian situation in February 1976, and spent the rest of the year holding discussions with the British, South African and Frontline governments to produce a mutually satisfactory proposal. The plan that Kissinger eventually presented would…
Settlement 24 November 1971 In November 1971, UK Foreign Secretary, Alec Douglas-Home, renewed contacts with Salisbury and announced a proposed agreement recognising Rhodesia’s 1969 constitution as the legal frame of government, while agreeing that gradual legislative representation was an acceptable formula for unhindered advance to majority rule. The new settlement, if approved, would have also…
Victoria Falls Bridge Constitutional Conference 25 August 1975 The Victoria Falls Conference took place aboard a South African Railways train halfway across the Victoria Falls Bridge on the border between the unrecognised state of Rhodesia and Zambia. It was the culmination of the “détente” policy introduced and championed by B. J. Vorster, the Prime Minister of…
Internal Settlement 3 March 1978 The Internal Settlement was an agreement which was signed on 3 March 1978 between Prime Minister of Rhodesia Ian Smith and the moderate African nationalist leaders comprising Bishop Abel Muzorewa, Ndabaningi Sithole and Senator Chief Jeremiah Chirau. After almost 15 years of the Rhodesian Bush War, and under pressure from…
Independence Election 27-29 February 1980 General elections were held in Rhodesia in February 1980 to elect a government which would govern the country after it was granted independence as Zimbabwe, in accordance with the conclusions of the Lancaster House Agreement. The election was won by the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and…
Rhodesia 1965 – Independence Details Date of Issue: 8th December, 1965 Date Withdrawn: 7th February, 1966 Date Invalidated: 1st July, 1969 Designer: Cyril Hartley (also credited to Col. C. R. Dickenson) Printer: Mardon Printers (PVT) Ltd, Salisbury Rhodesia Process: Lithograph Paper: White paper with clear gum Watermark: None Perf: Line 11 Cylinders: None Sheet: 10 x 6…
Inauguration of Posts and Telecommunications Corporation Rhodesia Details Date of Issue: 1st July, 1970 Date Withdrawn: 31st December, 1970 Date Invalidated: 1st January, 1974 Designer: Rose Martin Printer: Mardon Printers (Pvt) Ltd, Salisbury, Rhodesia Process: Offset Lithography Paper: White, brown gum Perf: 14.25 Cylinders: 1A 1A 1A 1A 1B 1B 1B 1B Sheet: 10 x 5 Quantities: 2½c – 400,000 3½c…
Rhodesia 1965 – International Telecommunication Union Centenary Details Date of Issue: 17th May, 1965 Date Withdrawn: 16th July, 1965 Date Invalidated: 1st February, 1969 Designer: Victor Whiteley Printer: Harrison and Sons Ltd London Process: Photogravure Paper: White with clear gum Watermark: N/A Perf: Comb 14.5 Cylinders: 1A 1A Sheet: 10 x 6 Booklet: N/A Quantity: 6d – 592,000…
Rhodesia Granite 71 Details Date of Issue: 30th August, 1971 Date Withdrawn: 9th February, 1972 Date Invalidated: 9th February, 1975 Designer: University of Rhodesia and Dept. of Geological survey photgraphic studios. Printer: Mardon Printers (PVT) Ltd., Salisbury, Rhodesia Process: Offset Lithography Paper: Chromo, creamy/brown gum Watermark: N/A Perf: Comb 14.5 Cylinders: 1A 1A 1A 1A 1B 1B 1B 1B…
