1979 Rhodesian constitutional referendum

{{Use South African English|date=May 2023}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}

{{Infobox referendum

|date=30 January 1979

|country=Rhodesia

|title=

|yes=57,269

|no=9,805

|invalid=764

|electorate=94,900

}}{{Politics of Rhodesia}}

A constitutional referendum was held in Rhodesia on 30 January 1979. It followed the Internal Settlement drawn up between Prime Minister Ian Smith and Abel Muzorewa, leader of the non-violent UANC.{{cite web | work=The New York Times | author=John F. Burns | title=Rhodesian Whites Vote to Accept Limited Rule by Black Majority. | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/31/archives/rhodesian-whites-vote-to-accept-limited-rule-by-black-majority.html | date=31 January 1979 | accessdate=10 June 2024}}{{cite web | work=The Washington Post | author=Caryle Murphy | title=Rhodesian Whites Vote Endorsement Of Limited Black-Rule Constitution | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/01/31/rhodesian-whites-vote-endorsement-of-limited-black-rule-constitution/c3e7fde4-ab63-42cb-b6d1-9cb2300d60b4/ | date=31 January 1979 | accessdate=11 June 2024}} The new constitution would bring in black majority rule in the country, which would be renamed Zimbabwe Rhodesia. The settlement was supported by the ruling Rhodesian Front, but opposed by the Rhodesian Action Party, which had broken away from the Front.

The referendum was open only to white voters, passing by 85%. Voter turnout was 71.5%.[http://africanelections.tripod.com/zw.html#1979_Constitutional_Referendum 30 January 1979 Constitutional Referendum] African Elections Database

Despite the transition to majority rule following elections in April, the country remained unrecognised by the international community, and the Patriotic Front parties continued the Bush War until the signing of the Lancaster House Agreement and fresh elections in 1980.