This is the biography of Francis Nhema, a Zimbabwean politician and businessman. He has held several ministerial positions in Zimbabwe’s government, focusing on environment, tourism, and youth development. Nhema has also served as a Member of Parliament for Shurugwi. His political career spans over two decades, during which he was involved in various national and international initiatives.
Early Life and Education
Chenaimoyo Dunstan Francis Nhema was born on April 17, 1959 in Shurugwi, a mining town in Zimbabwe’s Midlands Province. He grew up in a politically active family, which shaped his interest in governance and public service. Nhema attended local schools for his primary and secondary education.
In 1980, Nhema graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in History from the University of Zimbabwe. In 1987, he attained a Diploma in Housing from Pennsylvania State University in the USA. In 1983, he graduated with a Master of Marketing and Tourism degree from Strathclyde University in Scotland. Nhema is a holder of a PhD, and the title of his thesis is Human-Wildlife Conflict in the South-East Lowveld of Zimbabwe.
Francis Nhema Political Career
Francis Nhema Biography [Image: Facebook]
Nhema entered politics in the late 1990s. He joined the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). His rise in the party was steady due to his background and organisational skills.
Parliamentary Role
In 2000, Nhema was elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Shurugwi. He retained the seat for several terms. His constituency work focused on improving local infrastructure and addressing economic challenges in the mining town.
Ministerial Appointments
In 2000, Nhema was appointed Minister of Environment and Tourism. He held this position for nearly a decade. During his tenure, he promoted Zimbabwe’s tourism sector. He also participated in international environmental discussions, representing Zimbabwe at United Nations summits.
In 2013, Nhema became Minister of Youth, Indigenisation, and Economic Empowerment. His role involved implementing policies to support youth entrepreneurship and local ownership of businesses. However, his tenure faced criticism due to challenges in balancing policy goals and economic realities.
In December 2014, Nhema was suspended from ZANU PF over allegations of involvement in a scheme to oust then-President Robert Mugabe. Although his suspension was lifted in November 2017, he faced another three-year suspension in March 2018 for allegedly establishing parallel structures in Shurugwi.
Francis Nhema Business Ventures
Apart from politics, Nhema has interests in business. He invested in mining and agriculture, leveraging opportunities in his hometown of Shurugwi. His ventures have been linked to community development projects. However, some observers raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest given his political influence.
Francis Nhema Personal Life
In 1993, Nhema married Joshua Nkomo’s daughter, Louise Sehlule Nkomo. They divorced in 2013. Louise filed for divorce, saying the marriage had irretrievably broken down. They had children together. Nhema enjoys playing social football with his friends in his spare time.
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