A constitutional referendum was held in
Rhodesia on 30 January 1979. It followed the
Internal Settlement drawn up between Prime Minister
Ian Smith and
Abel Muzorewa, leader of the non-violent
UANC.[1][2] The new constitution would bring in black majority rule in the country, which would be renamed
Zimbabwe Rhodesia. The settlement was supported by the ruling
Rhodesian Front, but opposed by the
Rhodesian Action Party, which had broken away from the Front.
The referendum was open only to white voters, passing by 85%. Voter turnout was 71.5%.[3]
A constitutional referendum was held in
Rhodesia on 30 January 1979. It followed the
Internal Settlement drawn up between Prime Minister
Ian Smith and
Abel Muzorewa, leader of the non-violent
UANC.[1][2] The new constitution would bring in black majority rule in the country, which would be renamed
Zimbabwe Rhodesia. The settlement was supported by the ruling
Rhodesian Front, but opposed by the
Rhodesian Action Party, which had broken away from the Front.
The referendum was open only to white voters, passing by 85%. Voter turnout was 71.5%.[3]