Rhodesia

This article is about the former British colony of (Southern) Rhodesia , today Zimbabwe. See Rhodesia (disambiguation).

Politics

At the time of UDI, Rhodesia's Constitution provided for a Governor, appointed by the Queen, with political power residing with the unicameral Legislative Assembly, in which 50 out of 65 seats were reserved for whites. There were two separate voters' rolls, for whites and blacks, with the franchise for the latter being limited to tribal chiefs and those who met property qualifications.

Related Topics:
Unicameral - Legislative Assembly

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The RF government drafted a new constitution, which further entrenched white minority rule, and made the country a republic, following a whites-only referendum result in favour in 1968.

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Under the 1969 Constitution, there was a bicameral Parliament consisting of an indirectly elected Senate, and a directly elected House of Assembly, in which the majority of seats were once again reserved for whites. The office of President was a ceremonial post, with executive power remaining with the Prime Minister, Ian Smith.

Related Topics:
Bicameral - Senate - House of Assembly

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