Welshman Ncube (born 7 July 1961) is a Zimbabwean lawyer, businessman and politician. He is the founding MDC leader and former President of Zimbabwean political party Movement for Democratic Change – Ncube. He currently serves within the Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC). He is a practicing lawyer in the firm Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers, where he is the senior partner at their Bulawayo offices. He also runs a number of business ventures, including a farm in the Midlands Province.
Background
Ncube served as a member of the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe for 13 years, from 2000 -2013 and as Minister for Commerce and Industry from 2009 to 2013.
A lecturer in civil rights at the University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Law, his alma mater, Ncube gained prominence in 1992 when appointed as a professor at the young age of 31. He became one of the founding members of the MDC.
Ncube was instrumental, in the Global Political Agreement negotiations that led to the formation of what was known as the Zimbabwean Government of National Unity (GNU) in 2009. He was appointed as the Minister of Industry and Commerce in this administration, and he chaired the COMESA Council of Ministers.
Early life
Ncube was born on 7 July 1961 in Gwelo, Rhodesia. The fourth child of eight, he was raised in the rural Maboleni district by his peasant parents. At school, he did well academically and in sporting pursuits such as athletics and football.
Religion
Ncube grew up under the mentorship of local Seventh-day Adventist Pastor Loyiso Ndlovu, and he followed the teachings of "Prophetess" Ellen G White. In 2012 when Ted Wilson, the president of the Seventh Day Adventists, came to Zimbabwe, he was welcomed by Ncube at Bourbafields stadium in Bulawayo.
Education
Ncube attended Mzilikazi High School in Bulawayo, where he graduated with straight 'A's. He gained LLB and MPhil Law degrees from the University of Zimbabwe. His MPhil thesis was on Zimbabwean Customary Law, focusing on Family Law.
Early political activity
Ncube served as the Youth Chairman of Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU), while still a university student. During this period, he became acquainted with Communism and he adopted the precepts of Marxism-Leninism. His leftward leanings morphed into more moderate beliefs over time, and he now prefers a socialist economy to a centralised Marxist economy.
Legal career
Ncube taught laws at the University of Zimbabwe, the nation's largest university, from 1985 until 2000. At age 31, he was promoted to the position of professor. This led to him becoming one of the youngest at the university. At UZ he also served in various key positions which included Proctor (1986- 1995); Senior Proctor (1996- 2000); Chairman Research Board, Chairman of the Department of Private Law (1988-1996); member of the Staff Development Committee (1989-1994), and Member of the UZ Senate (1988-2000).
During his academic years Ncube was visiting professor and scholar to various universities, which included the University of The North West (SA); University of Oslo (Norway), and Stanford University (USA). He was also an external examiner at several universities, including University of Botswana (1997- 1999); University of Swaziland (1998-1999), and University of Namibia (1995- 2000). Ncube is the author of numerous scholarly articles and books, and he has also edited various books and journals. He was a member of the Law Development Commission of Zimbabwe (1988-1996) and the Provisional Council of Legal Education (2003- 2008).
Ncube did various consultant work in a wide range of subject areas (Land law, children's rights, constitutional law, natural resources and environmental law, Women's law, Human rights law, Tax law and security legislation) and for a number of organizations, which included various government ministries, Red Barna, USAID, and NORAD.
During his years at UZ and afterwards, he also practiced as an advocate at the Advocates Chambers in Harare until he became a Minister of Government in February 2009. After the dissolution of the Inclusive Government, Ncube went back into legal practice. He is part of the Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers firm, where he is the senior partner at the firm's Bulawayo offices.
Amendment 19
Amendment No 19 in 2008 paved the way for the implementation of the power-sharing agreement which formed the Government of National Unity, made of ZANU PF, MDC-T and the MDC.