#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

#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