Ep14 THE BURNING OF KOBULAWAYO

After the chaos of the Rudd Concession - there are a few years of constructive interaction as King Lobengula ensures the safety of the Pioneer Column and British Representative, John Moffat, runs a tough regime ensuring everyone trying to enter Matabeleland abides by the Kings Rules. But the impi are finding their way of life has changed too much and are becoming increasingly restless.

I would like to mention the excellent work done by the ZimFieldGuide. If this first series of video logs has sparked your interest in our remarkable history - it is a worth while trip through time looking up their website - you will find many thought provoking articles and answers in its collection of well researched and curated items. There are many many fulfilling hours ahead! www.zimfieldguide.com

Ep #13 PIONEERS, CHARTERS AND MATEBELE WARRIORS

The scramble for Africa accelerated following the Berlin Conference in 1885 as those with any claim to relationships with parts of the continent strove to make treaties with local Chiefs. The Rudd Concession was just one of several being drawn up - the Portuguese in todays Mozambique had signed documents with Chiefs Makoni and Mutasa - but the lure of the British and the preferred conditions they were hearing about made them think twice. My thanks to ZimFieldGuide for their wonderful source of visuals to support these talks.

Build me a man who is straight and true, Whose purpose is straight and clear, Build me a man who will make me laugh, when my heart is gripped with fear. Build me a man who will hold his course, whatever the race he ran, Oh for our country’s greater good Plumtree, build me a man.

Poem written by an anonymous mother … and printed in “The Plumtree Record” - 1946. Photos: Zimfieldguide.com and BSAC records.

#11 GUNS, GOLD AND A STEAMBOAT

King Lobengula, increasingly harassed by concession seekers, hunters and gold diggers, all camped for months around his capital in the hope of getting an audience, finally decides it might be worth allying himself to the British - provided they could grant him what he needed most.

King Lobengula’s capital guBuluwayo - the ruins of which can be seen today near State House. On the right, King Lobengula increasingly besieged by impatient Europeans, decides to will talk to Charles Rudd. Photos: Zimfieldguide.com

#9 AKUNGITSHIYE! LEAVE ME ALONE

King Lobengula comes to grips with his new role at a time of unimaginable pressure as gold diggers, hunters and adventurers seek the land of Ophir driven by the best selling story of King Solomon's mines - then endorsed by a young German explorer's 'discovery' of the Great Zimbabwe citadel.

King Lobengula’s elephant seal, plus his X verified by a missionary as having been written in his presence was the only documentation the British Government would accept as being from the King.

#8 THE CROWNING OF A KING

Prince Jandu is on horseback hunting with friends in Mazoe while they chase out the Portuguese who keep wanting to take over the land … when he hears that King Mzilikazi has died. The next two years become increasingly difficult as neither Jandu, nor his elder brother nKulumane seem to want to take the job on.

Top left: Prince Jandu just before his inauguration as King and wearing western clothes, which he would never do again. Watercolour by Thomas Baines 1870. Bottom left - an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 Matebele warriors display during the Inaugural ceremony and on the right King Lobengula at the gate of his capital inspecting the Imbezu Regiment. A drawing of King Lobengula by A. Maund. Zimfieldguide.com

#7 THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND ITS IMPACTS

What propelled the maddened rush to central and southern Africa? Why was Southern Rhodesia's colonisation unique - unlike any other? Was Rhodes a complete idiot to take on the British South Africa Company - or a driven genius? An overview of the incredible global drivers and events taking place just before the inauguration of King Lobengula.

Thank you John Posselt and the Zim Field Guide for those photographs and insights into Mother Patrick and her work. She achieved so much in her 36 years.

The photograph on the right is from the National Tapestry, showing the British South Africa Company badge at the top; bottom left the Royal Red Cross Medal awarded to Mother Patrick by Queen Victoria in 1898, right the granite Celtic Cross on her grave. The tapestry depicts Rhodes, Mother Patrick and the four other Dominican sisters in 1893.

#6 KING MZILIKAZI TO KING LOBENGULA

King Mzilikazi builds a powerful and disciplined nation in his 28 years of rule in today’s Matabeleland. He builds in a time of peace and growth - to die in 1868 at around 78 years of age. His legacy is that of a loved and honoured leader. BUT he leaves no nominated heir. The fight is on to find who will succeed him - just as the world realises that the next great gold rush is aimed right at Matabeleland.

The King’s bangle - a precious relic obtained by dubious means. If you are interested in making a comment from your knowledge or curiosity, I’d love to hear from you. Just click the title and it will take you to another page where you can add comments. Photo V&A Museum, London

#5 MOTSHODI AND THE BAKWENA CHILDREN

With King Mzilikazi the leader of a growing nation as the disciplined but warlike maTebele swept across the Northern Transvaal in the early 1800's, another name kept coming to the historical fore. This intriguing character with verified reports of his extraordinary courage changed history! I found his name dotted through many early stories of South Africa and Matabeleland but there was never a clue as to who he really was, where he came from or why he did what he did!

The baKwena people were an interesting tribe who had lived on the edge of the Magaliesberg for many years - but who felt the full wrath of the Matebele during the mfecane. Photo: Nicola Lynch

#4 JABU PROVES HIS MANHOOD

New Podcasts are scheduled to release every Friday at 7 a.m. New Zealand time - so if you get a request to sign in, it means it has not yet reached that time in y our time zone. If you would like to add a comment, click the title above each podcast and this will take you to a new page with comment space below. Always love hearing from you - new thoughts, suggestions, don’t like/do like, other points of interest etc.

In Episode 4 released (from Friday 17th April) Jabu has to prove his manhood following his traditional circumcision ceremony - and two Indunas in London get a surprise!

The use of accents and conversation to bring our history to life - means I have to vary from Scottish, to Irish, to trying to differentiate the accents of three of the main characters, all amaNdebele boys. Very taxing - and sometimes pretty awful - but it does add colour and interest - I hope! Photo: Ant Lourens

#3 THE BUILDING OF MHLANHLANDLELA

King Mzilikazi tears through the Northern Transvaal raiding, killing, capturing and absorbing in what became known as the mfecane. In doing so, he disciplined and inspired a new people who called themselves the amaNdebele. They became known to the tribes in their path as the terrifying amaTebele today known as the Matabele. King Khama seeks help as he gets more anxious at their approach and the Boers are determined to put even more distance between themselves and the British at any cost.

This beautiful painting by William Cornwallis Harris was completed in 1836 after a period as a guest of King Mzilikazi. At this stage the King was heading towards today’s Magaliesberg range where he spent an extended amount of time with one of the Tswana tribes. Why you ask ? Photo: Zimfieldguide.com

#2 MZILIKAZI KHULAMO CHALLENGES TSHAKA

What finally drove a young man from a small clan within a remote tribe on the Black Umfolozi River to challenge the might of the great military strategist Ki… finally drove a young man from a small clan within a remote tribe on the Black Umfolozi River to challenge the might of the great military strategist King Tshaka? And how did he do it?

As King Mzilikazi became more and more powerful and the discipline and success of the Matabele more renowned, Mzilikazi meets a man who talks about things he cant envisage and brings items which challenge everything he knows. photo: ZimfieldGuide.com

#1 ZIMBABWE: Land between Two Rivers

What to we do while we're trying to avoid cabin fever or 'the virus' ... it's just a thought - walk with me as we discover afresh the vibrant history of that land between two rivers - the Zambezi and the Limpopo. I hope it keeps you otherwise occupied for the next ten minutes or os, and that you'll be interested enough to tune in this time next week for the next one.

#1 What were the determining factors which led to the suddenly increased interest in Southern Africa as more than merely a provisioning stop on trade routes to the East . . . or a source of slaves?