#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

#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

#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?