Garfield Todd - Government

Government

Todd introduced modest reforms aimed at improving the education of the Black majority by taking tax-money paid by Rhodesian property owners and appropriations from the British colonial authorities, and directing it toward black schools. This angered most of the Rhodesian population and started his sharp decline in support. His government introduced a plan to give elementary education to every African of school age. He doubled the number of primary schools and gave grants to missionary-run schools to introduce secondary school and pre-university courses for Blacks.

Todd also introduced the appellation "Mr" for Blacks instead of "AM" an appellation derived from their patois language. Because of the susceptibility towards alcohol poisoning, alcoholism, and other effects, much as American Indians were denied alcohol on their Indian reservations, Blacks were similarly unable to buy and sell alcohol on their territories. Under influence from large alcohol distributors, Todd ended this prohibition and allowed black residents of the reserves, to drink European beer and wine, though not spirits.

In a major breakthrough, Todd pushed a bill through the colonial office, allowing for multiracial trade unions, thereby undercutting the growing white nationalist influence in the unions. Lastly, in a bid to increase the number of Blacks eligible to vote from 2% to 16% of the electorate, he lowered property and education qualifications, but this was soundly rejected.

These reforms were seen as dangerously radical by most whites. Todd's party forced him out of power when his ministers resigned en bloc and three months later he was replaced as party leader and prime minister by Edgar Whitehead.

In a farewell statement, he said "We must make it possible for every individual to lead the good life, to win a place in the sun. We are in danger of becoming a race of fear-ridden neurotics - we who live in the finest country on Earth."