Until 1970, the head of state of Rhodesia was the British Monarch, represented by the Governor, Sir Humphrey Gibbs. When Prime Minister Ian Smith's Rhodesian Front Government proclaimed the Unilateral Declaration of Independence on 11th November, 1965, Sir Humphrey immediately sacked Smith and his cabinet, an action which was ignored by Smith.

Sir Humphrey stayed on in Rhodesia, still internationally recognised as Governor, but was eventually forced out by Smith's government, who had appointed Deputy Prime Minister Clifford Dupont as 'Officer Administering the Government' in 1965.

While Smith had sought to make Rhodesia a Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Rhodesia, he later decided to sever constitutional links with Britain and make the country a republic.

President of Rhodesia Flag 1970-1979

Following a whites-only referendum in 1969, Rhodesia was declared a republic in 1970, with Dupont assuming the ceremonial office of President. Dupont was succeeded as President in 1976 by John Wrathall, who died in office in 1978. Under the Internal Settlement, which saw the a black majority government for the first time, Josiah Zion Gumede was chosen as the President of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, in 1979. However, like the UDI and the declaration of a republic before it, Zimbabwe-Rhodesia was unrecognised internationally.

Following the Lancaster House Agreement, Britain resumed control of the rebel colony, and appointed Lord Soames as Governor until the country became independent as Zimbabwe on 18th April, 1980.

See also

• List of Presidents of Rhodesia
• List of Presidents of Zimbabwe