On June 1, 1979, Zimbabwe Rhodesia, a short-lived sovereign state, came into existence, following the Internal Settlement agreement. Although it lacked international recognition, it marked a significant step towards independence and majority rule.

Zimbabwe Rhodesia was preceded by the Republic of Rhodesia and was briefly under a British-supervised transitional government, sometimes referred to as Southern Rhodesia. This followed the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965, which was not recognized by the international community.

The transitional government, led by Abel Muzorewa, aimed to prepare the country for democratic elections and eventual independence. Despite facing numerous challenges, it made significant progress, laying the groundwork for Zimbabwe’s development and growth.

On April 18, 1980, the country gained internationally recognized independence as the Republic of Zimbabwe, within the Commonwealth, marking a new era of self-determination and freedom.