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
Born26 March 1931
England
Died20 December 2019(2019-12-20) (aged 88)
NationalityBritish / Zimbabwean
ResidenceOxfordshire
OccupationFarmer

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]

Career

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]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Holland, Heidi (2008). Dinner with Mugabe. London: Penguin Books. pp. 107–125. ISBN 978-0-14-104079-0.
  2. ^ a b c d "Denis Norman". Roots Web. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  3. ^ "The Times e-paper web". epaper.thetimes.co.uk.
  4. ^ a b Rook, Mike. "Farmer At War, 30 years on..." SW Radio Africa. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  5. ^ Lamb, Christina (24 February 2003). "Could Zimbabwe be the next Rwanda". New Statesman. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  6. ^ Holland, Heidi (2008). Dinner With Mugabe: The untold story of a freedom fighter who became a tyrant. South Africa: Penguin Books. p. 114.
  7. ^ Lewis, Anthony (22 January 1987). "AT HOME ABROAD; The Beira Corridor". New York Times. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  8. ^ "Zimbabwe: 1990 General Elections". EISA. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  9. ^ Tendai Hildegarde Manzvanzvike (24 April 2009). "Zimbabwe: Bus Disasters - When is Enough, Enough?". The Herald. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
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