Why does the media continue to refer to Zimbabwe's "independence in 1980"? The country declared its independence in 1965 and was ruled by blacks beginning in 1978.
Why no! It was an eeeeeevil RAY-CIST renegade colony, before the South Africans were induced to pull their support and the Rhodesians were forced to hold elections that ZANU-PF easily stole. THEN it became “independent”.
(Strategically applied /sarc as needed.)