News / National
Zim's first black parliament speaker speaks out
17 Apr 2013 at 01:15hrs | Views
Independent Zimbabwe's first black speaker of the House of Assembly, Didymus Mutasa says it was not easy without experience to preside over the house consisting of people who were once sworn enemies.
In April 1980, Zimbabwe gained independence and black people had to take over the running of key government institutions including ministries and parliament.
Mutasa says initially, it was a mammoth task and he had to learn from his white private secretary who mentored him on the procedures of running the lower house.
Mutasa says he vividly remembers a moment in the House of Assembly when Michael Mawema mocked a Rhodesian Front member of parliament, Goddard and he had to intervene as the Speaker.
The British government formally granted independence to Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980.
The first parliament of independent Zimbabwe convened for the first time on May 13, 1980.
In April 1980, Zimbabwe gained independence and black people had to take over the running of key government institutions including ministries and parliament.
Mutasa says initially, it was a mammoth task and he had to learn from his white private secretary who mentored him on the procedures of running the lower house.
Mutasa says he vividly remembers a moment in the House of Assembly when Michael Mawema mocked a Rhodesian Front member of parliament, Goddard and he had to intervene as the Speaker.
The British government formally granted independence to Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980.
The first parliament of independent Zimbabwe convened for the first time on May 13, 1980.
Source - zbc
