Denis Norman | |
---|---|
Zimbabwean Minister of Agriculture | |
In office 1980–1985 | |
Zimbabwean Minister of Transport | |
In office 1990–1997 | |
Zimbabwean Minister of Power | |
In office 1990–1997 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 26 March 1931 England |
Died | 20 December 2019 | (aged 88)
Nationality | British / Zimbabwean |
Residence | Oxfordshire |
Occupation | Farmer |
Denis R. Norman (26 March 1931 – 20 December 2019) was a British-Zimbabwean politician who spent a total of twelve years in the Cabinet of Robert Mugabe. He was known as "Nothing Wrong Norman" due to his penchant for trying to put a positive spin on difficult situations. [1] [2]
From 2003 he lived in Oxfordshire, England, before his death on 20 December 2019. [3]
Norman headed the Commercial Farmers' Union when Robert Mugabe came to power in 1980. [1] [2] [4] Norman was appointed Minister of Agriculture that same year, and held the position from 1980 to 1985. [1] [2] [4] [5] Mugabe asked Norman to leave the government after the 1985 elections which resulted in Ian Smith's faction winning most of the (minority-designated) white roll seats. The then-Prime Minister was aggrieved that the party which was sympathetic to ZANU-PF's cause did not win even though Mugabe had 'tried to appeal to the white population in Zimbabwe'. [6] Norman proceeded to head the Beira Corridor Group, [7] before being appointed to two positions by President Mugabe – Minister of Transport and Minister of Power – from 1990 to 1997. [1] [2] [8] As minister of transport, Norman began introducing safety regulations for public transport. [9]
Denis Norman | |
---|---|
Zimbabwean Minister of Agriculture | |
In office 1980–1985 | |
Zimbabwean Minister of Transport | |
In office 1990–1997 | |
Zimbabwean Minister of Power | |
In office 1990–1997 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 26 March 1931 England |
Died | 20 December 2019 | (aged 88)
Nationality | British / Zimbabwean |
Residence | Oxfordshire |
Occupation | Farmer |
Denis R. Norman (26 March 1931 – 20 December 2019) was a British-Zimbabwean politician who spent a total of twelve years in the Cabinet of Robert Mugabe. He was known as "Nothing Wrong Norman" due to his penchant for trying to put a positive spin on difficult situations. [1] [2]
From 2003 he lived in Oxfordshire, England, before his death on 20 December 2019. [3]
Norman headed the Commercial Farmers' Union when Robert Mugabe came to power in 1980. [1] [2] [4] Norman was appointed Minister of Agriculture that same year, and held the position from 1980 to 1985. [1] [2] [4] [5] Mugabe asked Norman to leave the government after the 1985 elections which resulted in Ian Smith's faction winning most of the (minority-designated) white roll seats. The then-Prime Minister was aggrieved that the party which was sympathetic to ZANU-PF's cause did not win even though Mugabe had 'tried to appeal to the white population in Zimbabwe'. [6] Norman proceeded to head the Beira Corridor Group, [7] before being appointed to two positions by President Mugabe – Minister of Transport and Minister of Power – from 1990 to 1997. [1] [2] [8] As minister of transport, Norman began introducing safety regulations for public transport. [9]