James Robert Dambadza Chikerema was born on the 2nd of April 1925, Kutama Mission, Zvimba, Zimbabwe.
Education:
Chishawasha Mission, Chishawasha (1936-37) and (1939-40)
Empendeni Mission, Plumtree (1938)
Kutama Mission, Zvimba (1941-42)
Marianhill College, Durban, SA (1943-46)
Cape Town University, SA (1947-49)
Career:
President, Southern Rhodesian African National Youth League (1956-57)
Vice-President, Rhodesian African National Congress (1957-59)
Secretary for Special Affairs (ZAPU) (1962)
Vice-President, Peoples Caretaker Council (1962-64)
Acting-President (ZAPU) (1964-71)
Chairman, Front for the Liberation of Zimbabwe (1972-74)
Member, National Executive of African National Council (1974-79)
Co-Minister, Transport in the Interim Executive Council of the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia government
Founder and leader Zimbabwe Democratic Party
He died of cancer on the 22 March 2006 in the United States Of America.