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.

#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

#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