Some lively anecdotes which throw a light onto the characters of both King Mzilikazi and King Lobengula … as well as the very first missionaries to Inyati and Hope Fountain Missions. A precursor to the politics which followed.
#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
#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
#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