Rhodesia Philately

After the dissolution of the Federation of Rhodesia & Nyasaland and the rapid decolonisation of Africa a significant proportion of Southern Rhodesia’s white population became alarmed. In an effort to delay the transition to black majority rule, the predominantly white Southern Rhodesian government issued its own Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965.

Rhodesia initially sought recognition as an autonomous realm within the Commonwealth of Nations, but reconstituted itself as a republic in 1970. Two African nationalist parties, the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) and Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), launched an armed insurgency against the government upon UDI, sparking the Rhodesian Bush War. Growing war weariness, diplomatic pressure, and an extensive trade embargo imposed by the United Nations prompted Rhodesian prime minister Ian Smith to concede to majority rule in 1978.

However, elections and a multiracial provisional government, with Smith succeeded by moderate Abel Muzorewa, failed to appease international critics or halt the war. By December 1979 Muzorewa had secured an agreement with ZAPU and ZANU, allowing Rhodesia to briefly revert to colonial status as Southern Rhodesia, pending new elections under British supervision. ZANU secured an electoral victory in 1980, and the country achieved internationally recognised independence in April 1980 as Zimbabwe.

About this exhibit

This online exhibit contains stamps, postcards and postal stationery reflecting Rhodesia between 1964-1979.

I began this collection in 2010. Exhibiting my collection online allows me to add new acquisitions, new research and additional areas with minimal effort and share the material with others.

All images available at Rhodesia Philately (Facebook).

Note: The text used is contemporaneous of the period and may refer to terms or names no longer used.