Historical Background
The modern history of Zimbabwe starts with treaties and concessions initiated by Cecil Rhodes and the British South Africa Company in 1888/9. The country was the southern part of 'Zambezia' until that name was officially changed to 'Rhodesia' in 1895, and in 1898 the designation 'Southern Rhodesia' was made official. Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing British colony in 1922.
In 1953 Northern and Southern Rhodesia were reunited in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and after its dissolution in 1963, an independence movement in Southern Rhodesia was led by Ian Smith. Southern Rhodesia was renamed Rhodesia in 1965, and a unilateral declaration of independence occurred.
This was declared illegal by Great Britain, and 15 years of controversy and sanctions followed until finally the country gained official independence as Zimbabwe in April 1980.
Read more about this topic: History Of Cricket In Rhodesia And Zimbabwe To 1992
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