Jeremiah Chirau
Encyclopedia
Jeremiah Chirau was a notable figure among (Southern) Rhodesia
's chiefs, and during the UDI
he became the only leader of the Zimbabwe United People's Organisation
(ZUPO), a party largely comprising chiefs.
Born near Makonde
, he was awarded a medal for service in World War II
. A staunch traditionalist, he was well versed in African customary law. In 1961 he was appointed acting chief, and eventually rose to chiefship of the of Chirau Communal Lands. Elected to the Council of Chiefs, he
became its president in 1973, a position he held until his death. He entered politics in 1970 when he was elected into the Senate. He formed ZUPO
in 1978 and was a signatory to the Internal Settlement
. ZUPO contested the resulting elections but failed to win any seats and was subsequently disbanded.
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
's chiefs, and during the UDI
Unilateral Declaration of Independence (Rhodesia)
The Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Rhodesia from the United Kingdom was signed on November 11, 1965, by the administration of Ian Smith, whose Rhodesian Front party opposed black majority rule in the then British colony. Although it declared independence from the United Kingdom it...
he became the only leader of the Zimbabwe United People's Organisation
Zimbabwe United People's Organisation
Zimbabwe United People's Organisation was a political party in Zimbabwe, formed in December 1976 by Chief Jeremiah Chirau, an ex-minister in the Rhodesian Front government. ZUPO contested the 1979 election but failed to win a seat. It was disbanded before the 1980 election.The organisation's only...
(ZUPO), a party largely comprising chiefs.
Born near Makonde
Makonde
The Makonde are an ethnic group in southeast Tanzania and northern Mozambique. The Makonde developed their culture on the Mueda Plateau in Mozambique. At present they live throughout Tanzania and Mozambique and have a small presence in Kenya...
, he was awarded a medal for service in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. A staunch traditionalist, he was well versed in African customary law. In 1961 he was appointed acting chief, and eventually rose to chiefship of the of Chirau Communal Lands. Elected to the Council of Chiefs, he
became its president in 1973, a position he held until his death. He entered politics in 1970 when he was elected into the Senate. He formed ZUPO
Zimbabwe United People's Organisation
Zimbabwe United People's Organisation was a political party in Zimbabwe, formed in December 1976 by Chief Jeremiah Chirau, an ex-minister in the Rhodesian Front government. ZUPO contested the 1979 election but failed to win a seat. It was disbanded before the 1980 election.The organisation's only...
in 1978 and was a signatory to the Internal Settlement
Internal Settlement
The Internal Settlement was the agreement between Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith and Abel Muzorewa in 1978.-Negotiations:Fed up with the sanctions leveled against Rhodesia by the international community and outright political pressure from South Africa, Great Britain and the United States, the...
. ZUPO contested the resulting elections but failed to win any seats and was subsequently disbanded.