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.
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
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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
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
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
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?
