36 Facts About Canaan Banana

Canaan Sodindo Banana was a Zimbabwean Methodist minister, theologian, and politician who served as the first President of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 1987.

Canaan Banana was Zimbabwe's first head of state, a ceremonial president, after the Lancaster House Agreement that led to the country's independence.

In 1997, Banana was accused of being a homosexual, and after a highly publicised trial, was convicted of 11 counts of sodomy and "unnatural acts", serving six months in prison.

Canaan Banana was born in Essexvale, a village in Matabeleland, Southern Rhodesia, to an Ndebele mother and a Mosotho father.

Canaan Banana was educated at a mission school before studying at Epworth Theological College in Salisbury.

Canaan Banana was elected Chairman of the Bulawayo Council of Churches in 1969, holding that position until 1971.

Canaan Banana became involved in anti-colonial politics, embracing black liberation theology and criticising the Rhodesian government under Ian Smith, which had declared the country independent under white-minority rule in 1965.

Canaan Banana became vice-president of the African National Congress, but soon was forced to flee Rhodesia.

Canaan Banana first went to Japan, before moving to Washington, DC, United States, where he studied at Wesley Theological Seminary.

Canaan Banana then worked as an Organisation of African Unity diplomat and taught at the University of Zimbabwe.

In 1997, Canaan Banana was arrested in Zimbabwe on charges of sodomy, following accusations made during the murder trial of his former bodyguard, who had killed another officer who had taunted him about being "Canaan Banana's homosexual wife".

Canaan Banana served six months in prison, and was defrocked.

Canaan Banana died of cancer in 2003, with sources varying on his place of death.

Canaan Banana was a controversial figure, especially after his criminal conviction.

Canaan Banana was born on 5 March 1936, near Essexvale, Matabeleland, Southern Rhodesia.

Canaan Banana's mother was an Ndebele, and his father was an ethnic Basotho who had emigrated from Lesotho.

Canaan Banana attended the local Mzinyati mission school, before completing his secondary education at Tegwani High School in Plumtree.

Canaan Banana later studied at a teacher training institute before earning a diploma in theology at Epworth Theological College in Salisbury.

Canaan Banana was ordained a United Methodist minister in 1962.

Canaan Banana served as the vice-president of the UANC from 1971 to 1973.

Canaan Banana was arrested on his return but was released a year later, kept under house arrest, and then allowed to participate in Abel Muzorewa's plans for the country.

Under the country's new constitution, Canaan Banana became the first president in 1980.

Canaan Banana then became a diplomat for the Organisation of African Unity and head of the religious department at the University of Zimbabwe.

In 1997, Canaan Banana was arrested in Zimbabwe on charges of sodomy, following accusations made during the murder trial of his former bodyguard, Jefta Dube.

Canaan Banana was found guilty of eleven charges of sodomy, attempted sodomy and indecent assault in 1998.

Janet Canaan Banana later discussed her husband's alleged homosexuality and confirmed it, even though she considered the charges against him to be politically motivated.

Canaan Banana fled to South Africa whilst released on bail before he could be imprisoned, apparently believing Mugabe was planning his death.

Canaan Banana returned to Zimbabwe in December 1998, after a meeting with Nelson Mandela, who convinced him to face the ruling.

Canaan Banana was sentenced on 18 January 1999 to ten years in jail, nine years suspended, and was defrocked.

Canaan Banana actually served six months in an open prison before being released in January 2001.

Canaan Banana's wife sought political asylum in Britain in October 2000, under a pre-existing accord.

On 10 November 2003, Canaan Banana died of cancer in London according to a report delivered by the Zimbabwean High Commissioner.

The Guardian, a London-based newspaper, said Canaan Banana had travelled to South Africa, where he eventually died, to receive appropriate treatment for his cancer.

Canaan Banana was buried in Zimbabwe in late November 2003.

Canaan Banana was buried without full honours that are traditionally reserved for former heads of state.

Canaan Banana had not received the full benefits of a former president, such as a state pension.