#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

#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