This is the biography of David Coltart, a distinguished Zimbabwean figure renowned for his legal expertise, political acumen, and unwavering commitment to human rights and democracy. Coltart has played a pivotal role in shaping the legal and political discourse of Zimbabwe.
David Coltart Early Life and Education
Born on October 4, 1957, in Gwelo, Rhodesia, Coltart’s early life was marked by a diverse cultural heritage, with a Scottish bank manager father and a South African nurse mother. His formative years were spent in Bulawayo, where he attended Hillside Primary School and Christian Brothers College. Opting out of mandatory military service, he joined the British South African Police before embarking on a journey of higher education at the University of Cape Town. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Law and an LLB, setting the stage for his future legal and political endeavours.
David Coltart Biography [Image: davidcoltart.com]
David Coltart Legal Career
Upon returning to Zimbabwe, Coltart joined the law firm Webb, Low, and Barry. He represented victims of the Gukurahundi atrocities, showcasing his dedication to justice and the rule of law.
David Coltart Political Career
He entered the political arena in 1983, initially serving as a campaign manager for independent candidates in Matabeleland. His political journey took a significant turn when he became a founding member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in 1999, taking on the role of founding secretary for legal affairs. As a Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South from 2000 to 2008 and later as a Senator, Coltart was a vocal advocate for reform and transparency.
In 2005, the MDC split. The split occurred over disagreements on whether to participate in Senate elections, with one faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai opposing participation and another led by Welshman Ncube supporting it. David Coltart, who was the Secretary for Legal Affairs at the time, initially did not align with either faction initially. He sought to reconcile the two sides and proposed a “five-point plan” to manage an amicable split.
In 2006, David Coltart aligned with the Mutambara faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). He won the Khumalo Senate seat as a candidate for the Mutambara-led MDC faction in March 2008.
David Coltart Biography [Image: Report Focus]
During the Government of National Unity, he became the Minister for Education, Sport, Arts, and Culture. Coltart implemented significant educational reforms and promoted Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage. His efforts during this period were instrumental in advancing the country’s educational standards and enriching its cultural landscape.
Although he lost his parliamentary seat in 2013, he remained active in politics, contributing to the MDC and later the Citizens Coalition for Change, which was formed in 2022. In 2023, Coltart ran in the elections and won as a Councillor. In September 2023, he became the Mayor of Bulawayo.
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Personal Life
David Coltart Biography [Image: Flickr]
Coltart is married to Jennifer Reine Barrett. He is a father to four children: Jessica, Douglas, Scott and Bethany. Coltart engages in various sports, including touch rugby, squash, golf, and cricket. His passion for sports extends to being an avid rugby and cricket spectator. His son, Doug Coltart is also a renowned human rights lawyer in Zimbabwe, who has represented prominent figures like journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.
References
- David Coltart
- Bulawayo Mayor Coltart refuses to resign, distances himself from CCC fiasco – New Zimbabwe
- David Coltart rejects Bulawayo mayoral vehicles – ZimLive
- David Coltart opts for Senate seat – Chronicle
- Statement of David Coltart regarding his political future
