Maureen Thelma Watson
Zimbabwean politician
Maureen Thelma Watson (née Eastwood), born on 15 September 1925 in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia, and passed away on 29 August 1994, was a Rhodesian politician. Initially a housewife and family planning advocate, she entered politics and was elected to the Southern Rhodesian Legislative Assembly in 1958, becoming the second woman in Parliament. Reelected in 1962, she chose not to run again in 1965. A moderate, Watson was affiliated with the United Federal Party and later the Rhodesia Party, opposing the conservative stance of the Rhodesian Front.
Quotes
edit- I have several books on my bedside table, including A Dream Fulfilled: Memoirs of an African Diplomat by Thandi Lujabe-Rankoe, Sleep In Peace Tonight by James MacManus, The Many Houses of Exile by Richard Jurgens, and the Bible.
- Maureen Thelma Watson responds to the question, "What books are currently on your nightstand?"
- William Faulkner
- Maureen Thelma Watson answers the question, "Who is your all-time favorite writer?"
- I enjoy reading crime fiction and avoid Mills & Boon.
- Maureen Thelma Watson respond "Which genres do you particularly enjoy reading?And which do you avoid?
- I have a few favorites: An Ill-Fated People: Zimbabwe Before and After Rhodes by Lawrence Vambe, The Quartet: Children of Violence by Doris Lessing, and Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller.
- Maureen Thelma Watson "What are your favorite books about Zimbabwe or written by Zimbabwean authors?
- I was fortunate to be born at Dadaya Mission nearly 79 years ago, so my connection to Zimbabwe goes back much further than 1965. Growing up in a vibrant community that included figures like Ndabaningi Sithole gave me a unique perspective. When the Rhodesian Front came to power and saw these individuals as potential enemies, I had the privilege of knowing them as champions of what would one day become Zimbabwe. What better background could I have had?
- Maureen Thelma Watson respond, "You’ve said Zimbabwe has been your full-time commitment and ‘marriage’ since 1965—could you explain that?"
- It’s been a journey of ups and downs. Before Zimbabwe, there was Rhodesia, which brought its own challenges, but it’s been a life shaped by significant moments. For example, back in 1964, while I was at university with others who would later become prominent Zimbabweans, like Byron Hove and others, we staged a demonstration against the banning of the Daily News a newspaper we had at the time.
- Maureen Thelma Watson responds, " When you say you've been "married" to Zimbabwe for that long, how has that marriage turned out?
- In 1964, Harold Hockshield saw my speech in the Central African Examiner and distributed copies worldwide, leading to a scholarship offer from Columbia University. In October 1965, my father was detained, likely due to concerns he’d form a government in exile. Edinburgh University then invited me to speak in his place.
- Maureen Thelma Watson responds, "In other words, you were fully committing yourself and everything you had to the liberation struggle?