After the war, Hawkins pursued business interests and, before entering politics, was an acknowledged mining expert[7] and owner in Selukwe where Ian Smith was also a prominent farmer.[8] He was elected President of the Rhodesian Mining Federation,[9] became increasingly involved in political affairs and was one of the founder members of the Rhodesian Front.[3] Following the resignation of Clifford Dupont, Hawkins was elected to the Southern Rhodesian Legislative Assembly on 15 September 1964 as Member of Parliament for Charter.[10]
In 1970, Hawkins was appointed Minister of Transport in Smith's Cabinet.[11] He was sworn in on 13 April 1970.[12] On 11 March 1977, at the height of the Rhodesian Bush War, Smith appointed him Minister of the newly created Ministry of Combined Operations. Hawkins also held the position of Minister of Defence.[13][14][15]
Hawkins resigned from the Rhodesian Cabinet in November 1978 on the grounds of ill health.[1][16] He died in Selukwe at the age of 64 on 3 March 1980.[1]
^Source Book of Parliamentary Elections and Referenda in Southern Rhodesia 1898–1962 ed. by F.M.G. Willson (Department of Government, University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Salisbury 1963)
