Canaan Banana
Encyclopedia
Canaan Sodindo Banana served as the first President of Zimbabwe from 18 April 1980 until 31 December 1987. A Methodist minister, he held the largely ceremonial office of the presidency while his eventual successor, Robert Mugabe
, served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
.
During his lifetime, Banana brought together two of the country's political parties, the Zimbabwe African National Union
(ZANU) and the Zimbabwe African People's Union
(ZAPU), became a diplomat for the Organisation of African Unity, and headed the religious department of the University of Zimbabwe
. His later life was complicated by charges of sodomy
- a crime in Zimbabwe - which he denied and for which he was later imprisoned.
near Esigodini
(now in Matabeleland South
). His parents were a Ndebele-cultured mother and a Sotho
father who had emigrated to Rhodesia. He was educated by missionaries in a local school and later studied at a teacher training institute.
He married Janet Mbuyazwe
in 1961, and they had four children together, Michael Thabo, Nathan Sipho, Martin Mhambi Salaam and Nobuhle Beauty. He took a diploma in theology at Epworth Theological College in Salisbury and was ordained as a United Methodist minister in 1962. He was a student at Wesley Theological Seminary
in Washington, D.C.
in 1974 and 1975. Becoming involved in politics, he denounced Ian Smith
's practices as a prime minister, took part in the rising transnational black liberation
ideo-religious movements
, and came to be vice-president of the African National Council.
He wrote a book entitled The Gospel According To The Ghetto, and a personalised version of the Lord's Prayer
.
and did not return until 1975. Banana was arrested on his return but was released a year later, kept under house arrest, and then allowed to participate in Abel Muzorewa
's plans for the country. However, he abandoned that effort and joined ZANU (led by Robert Mugabe
), which was dedicated to overthrowing the Smith administration. Returning to Rhodesia in December 1976, Banana was arrested once more for his support of ZANU; upon the appointment of Christopher Soames
as British governor, he was released from prison.
Under the country's new constitution Banana became the first president in 1980 and first black leader of Zimbabwe. In 1982 a law was passed forbidding citizens from making jokes about his name. In 1987 his largely ceremonial post was taken over by Mugabe, who made himself executive president. Banana then became a diplomat for the Organisation of African Unity and head of the religious department at the University of Zimbabwe
. He played a large role in bringing the two major groups of independence fighters, ZANU and ZAPU, together to form the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front
, a merger that took place in 1988.
, following accusations made during the murder trial of his former bodyguard, Jefta Dube. The charges related to allegations from the state prosecutor that Banana had misused his power while he was president to coerce numerous men in positions of service (ranging from domestic staff to security guards, and even members of sports teams for whom he had acted as referee) into accepting sexual advances. Banana was found guilty of eleven charges of sodomy, attempted sodomy and indecent assault
in 1998. He denied all charges, saying that homosexuality
is "defiant, abominable and wrong", and the allegations made against him were "pathological lies" intended to destroy his political career. Janet Banana later acknowledged her husband's indiscretions, even though she considered the charges against him to be politically motivated.
He fled to South Africa whilst released on bail before he could be imprisoned, apparently believing Mugabe was planning his death. He returned to Zimbabwe in December 1998, after a meeting with Nelson Mandela
, who convinced him to face the ruling. Banana was sentenced on 18 January 1999 to ten years in jail, nine years suspended, and was also defrocked. He actually served six months in an open prison before being released in January 2001. His wife sought political asylum in Britain
in October 2000, under a preexisting accord.
, a London-based newspaper, has claimed that Banana had travelled to South Africa, where he eventually died, in order to receive appropriate treatment for his cancer; however, this assertion relies upon uncorroborated testimonial evidence. He was buried in Zimbabwe in late November 2003. President Robert Mugabe called him "a rare gift to the nation" in a radio address. Banana was buried without the full honours that are traditionally accorded to former heads of state. The then politburo Secretary for Information and Publicity Nathan Shamuyarira
told state radio that "they (the politburo) could not accord Banana hero status as a matter of principle."
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
, served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
The Prime Minister of Zimbabwe is the head of government in Zimbabwe. From 1980 to 1987, Robert Mugabe was the first person to hold the position following independence from the United Kingdom. He took office when Rhodesia became the Republic of Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980...
.
During his lifetime, Banana brought together two of the country's political parties, the Zimbabwe African National Union
Zimbabwe African National Union
The Zimbabwe African National Union was a militant organization that fought against the standing government in Rhodesia, formed as a split from the Zimbabwe African People's Union...
(ZANU) and the Zimbabwe African People's Union
Zimbabwe African People's Union
The Zimbabwe African People's Union was a militant organization and political party that fought for the national liberation of Zimbabwe from its founding in 1961 until it merged with the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front in December 1987....
(ZAPU), became a diplomat for the Organisation of African Unity, and headed the religious department of the University of Zimbabwe
University of Zimbabwe
The University of Zimbabwe in Harare, is the oldest and largest university in Zimbabwe. It was founded through a special relationship with the University of London and it opened its doors to its first students in 1952. The university has ten faculties offering a wide variety of degree programmes...
. His later life was complicated by charges of sodomy
Sodomy
Sodomy is an anal or other copulation-like act, especially between male persons or between a man and animal, and one who practices sodomy is a "sodomite"...
- a crime in Zimbabwe - which he denied and for which he was later imprisoned.
Early life
Banana was born in 1936 in Esiphezini Communal Area, Southern RhodesiaSouthern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
near Esigodini
Esigodini
Esigodini is a village in Zimbabwe in Matabeleland South province. It is situated 43 km from Bulawayo by road and 47 km by rail on the Bulawayo-Beitbridge line. According to the 1982 Population Census, the village had a population of 1,492. Esigodini is the administrative centre for Umzingwane...
(now in Matabeleland South
Matabeleland South
Matabeleland South is a province of Zimbabwe. It has an area of 54,172 km² and a population of approximately 650,000 . Gwanda is the capital of the province.-Geography:...
). His parents were a Ndebele-cultured mother and a Sotho
Sotho
Sotho may refer to:*The Sotho people , an African ethnic group principally resident in South Africa and Lesotho.*The Sotho language , a Bantu Language spoken in southern Africa, an official language of both South Africa and Lesotho.*The Northern Sotho language , a group of related Bantu dialects...
father who had emigrated to Rhodesia. He was educated by missionaries in a local school and later studied at a teacher training institute.
He married Janet Mbuyazwe
Janet Banana
Janet Banana is the widow of Zimbabwe's first president, the late Canaan Banana, whom she married in 1961. The couple had four children. Mrs. Banana sought political asylum in the United Kingdom in October 2000...
in 1961, and they had four children together, Michael Thabo, Nathan Sipho, Martin Mhambi Salaam and Nobuhle Beauty. He took a diploma in theology at Epworth Theological College in Salisbury and was ordained as a United Methodist minister in 1962. He was a student at Wesley Theological Seminary
Wesley Theological Seminary
Wesley Theological Seminary is a United Methodist–affiliated seminary located in Washington, D.C., United States. The school was founded in 1882...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in 1974 and 1975. Becoming involved in politics, he denounced Ian Smith
Ian Smith
Ian Douglas Smith GCLM ID was a politician active in the government of Southern Rhodesia, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe Rhodesia and Zimbabwe from 1948 to 1987, most notably serving as Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 13 April 1964 to 1 June 1979...
's practices as a prime minister, took part in the rising transnational black liberation
Black liberation theology
Black liberation theology, sometimes shortened to black theology, is a relatively new theological perspective found in some Christian churches in the United States. It maintains that African Americans must be liberated from multiple forms of bondage — political, social, economic, and religious...
ideo-religious movements
Insurgency
An insurgency is an armed rebellion against a constituted authority when those taking part in the rebellion are not recognized as belligerents...
, and came to be vice-president of the African National Council.
He wrote a book entitled The Gospel According To The Ghetto, and a personalised version of the Lord's Prayer
Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer is a central prayer in Christianity. In the New Testament of the Christian Bible, it appears in two forms: in the Gospel of Matthew as part of the discourse on ostentation in the Sermon on the Mount, and in the Gospel of Luke, which records Jesus being approached by "one of his...
.
Presidency of Zimbabwe
When many Council members were arrested in the late 1960s, Banana and his family fled to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and did not return until 1975. Banana was arrested on his return but was released a year later, kept under house arrest, and then allowed to participate in Abel Muzorewa
Abel Muzorewa
Bishop Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa served as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia from the Internal Settlement to the Lancaster House Agreement in 1979...
's plans for the country. However, he abandoned that effort and joined ZANU (led by Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
), which was dedicated to overthrowing the Smith administration. Returning to Rhodesia in December 1976, Banana was arrested once more for his support of ZANU; upon the appointment of Christopher Soames
Christopher Soames, Baron Soames
Arthur Christopher John Soames, Baron Soames, GCMG, GCVO, CH, CBE, PC was a British politician belonging to the Conservative Party and the son-in-law of Winston Churchill. A European Commissioner and the last Governor of Southern Rhodesia, he had previously been the longtime Member of Parliament...
as British governor, he was released from prison.
Under the country's new constitution Banana became the first president in 1980 and first black leader of Zimbabwe. In 1982 a law was passed forbidding citizens from making jokes about his name. In 1987 his largely ceremonial post was taken over by Mugabe, who made himself executive president. Banana then became a diplomat for the Organisation of African Unity and head of the religious department at the University of Zimbabwe
University of Zimbabwe
The University of Zimbabwe in Harare, is the oldest and largest university in Zimbabwe. It was founded through a special relationship with the University of London and it opened its doors to its first students in 1952. The university has ten faculties offering a wide variety of degree programmes...
. He played a large role in bringing the two major groups of independence fighters, ZANU and ZAPU, together to form the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front
Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front
The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front has been the ruling party in Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, led by Robert Mugabe, first as Prime Minister with the party simply known as ZANU, and then as President from 1988 after taking over ZAPU and retaining the name ZANU-PF...
, a merger that took place in 1988.
Sodomy charges and imprisonment
The former president's term in office was a subject of scandal in later years, marring his legacy to national independence social movements in Africa and abroad. In 1997, Banana was arrested in Zimbabwe on charges of sodomySodomy
Sodomy is an anal or other copulation-like act, especially between male persons or between a man and animal, and one who practices sodomy is a "sodomite"...
, following accusations made during the murder trial of his former bodyguard, Jefta Dube. The charges related to allegations from the state prosecutor that Banana had misused his power while he was president to coerce numerous men in positions of service (ranging from domestic staff to security guards, and even members of sports teams for whom he had acted as referee) into accepting sexual advances. Banana was found guilty of eleven charges of sodomy, attempted sodomy and indecent assault
Indecent assault
Indecent assault is an offence of aggravated assault in many jurisdictions. It is characterised as a sex crime.Indecent assault was an offence in England and Wales under sections 14 and 15 the Sexual Offences Act 1956...
in 1998. He denied all charges, saying that homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
is "defiant, abominable and wrong", and the allegations made against him were "pathological lies" intended to destroy his political career. Janet Banana later acknowledged her husband's indiscretions, even though she considered the charges against him to be politically motivated.
He fled to South Africa whilst released on bail before he could be imprisoned, apparently believing Mugabe was planning his death. He returned to Zimbabwe in December 1998, after a meeting with Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
, who convinced him to face the ruling. Banana was sentenced on 18 January 1999 to ten years in jail, nine years suspended, and was also defrocked. He actually served six months in an open prison before being released in January 2001. His wife sought political asylum in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in October 2000, under a preexisting accord.
Death
On 10 November 2003, Banana died of cancer, in London, according to a report delivered by the Zimbabwean High Commissioner. The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, a London-based newspaper, has claimed that Banana had travelled to South Africa, where he eventually died, in order to receive appropriate treatment for his cancer; however, this assertion relies upon uncorroborated testimonial evidence. He was buried in Zimbabwe in late November 2003. President Robert Mugabe called him "a rare gift to the nation" in a radio address. Banana was buried without the full honours that are traditionally accorded to former heads of state. The then politburo Secretary for Information and Publicity Nathan Shamuyarira
Nathan Shamuyarira
Nathan Shamuyarira was a Zimbabwean nationalist who at different times fought on behalf of and helped lead FROLIZI, ZANU, and ZAPU. He later served as the Information Minister of Zimbabwe and as the Information Secretary of ZANU PF. He is writing President Robert Mugabe's biography.On 19 October...
told state radio that "they (the politburo) could not accord Banana hero status as a matter of principle."