Denis Norman

Denis R. Norman (26 March 1931 – 20 December 2019) was a 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]

Not to be confused with Dennis Norman.

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
BornEngland
NationalityBritish / Zimbabwean
ResidenceOxfordshire
OccupationFarmer

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 holding two positions – 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]

gollark: It has very bad governance systems, though, that's not a hugely localized thing.
gollark: yeees.
gollark: The UK has unusually high population density, so that is a thing which is a thing.
gollark: Not *winning*, but surprisingly high up given the population.
gollark: The UK is at least among the least worst ones and does lots of scientific research.

References
  1. Heidi Holland (2008). Dinner with Mugabe. London: Penguin Books. pp. 107–125. ISBN 978-0-14-104079-0.
  2. "Denis Norman". Roots Web. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  3. Denis Norman
  4. Mike Rook. "Farmer At War, 30 years on..." SW Radio Africa. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2009.
  5. Christina Lamb (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. Anthony Lewis (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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