History of Rhodesia
The First Matabele War and Its Aftermath
Jameson, commander of the BSACo forces, orchestrated the attack on Matabeleland with financial backing from Rhodes, who promised each volunteer gold claims and land, enticing them with the promise of loot and glory. Despite Lobengula’s attempts to negotiate, miscommunication and rising tensions between the BSACo and the Imperial Government set the stage for an inevitable conflict.
The Ndebele, under King Lobengula, had established a formidable presence in the region, with an army reportedly comprising 80,000 spearmen and 20,000 riflemen. Despite their numbers, the Ndebele forces were not adequately trained in the use of their modern Martini-Henry rifles, which diminished their effectiveness in battle. Tensions escalated when Lobengula sanctioned a raid to extract tribute from a Mashona chief near Fort Victoria. The company's forces, though numbering fewer than 700 soldiers, were equipped with advanced weaponry, including Maxim machine guns, which provided a significant advantage over the Ndebele's traditional combat methods.
A decisive encounter occurred on November 1, 1893, near the Bembesi River. The Ndebele's Imbizo and Ingubo regiments launched an attack on a BSAC laager fortified with Maxim guns and artillery. Despite their valor, the Ndebele warriors suffered heavy casualties due to the superior firepower of the company's forces.
The last phase of the campaign, however, saw an unexpected display of amaNdebele resistance and bravery, culminating in the tragic Shangani Patrol incident. Led by Major Allan Wilson, a small patrol sought to capture Lobengula but found themselves surrounded by amaNdebele warriors. Despite facing overwhelming odds, Wilson and his men refused to surrender, demonstrating courage that earned respect even from their enemies. In the end, the patrol was annihilated, marking one of the last significant military resistances by the amaNdebele and highlighting the cultural valor they attributed to facing death fearlessly.
The aftermath of the First Matabele War saw Matabeleland and Mashonaland under British South Africa Company control, but tensions remained high between the settlers and the native amaNdebele population. Despite the perceived conquest, the amaNdebele and the maShona harbored deep-seated resentment toward the new colonial authority, which worsened with policies like the mass expropriation of cattle and the imposition of hut taxes. Rhodes and Jameson distributed conquered lands and assets to European settlers and political allies, further estranging the native population.
Native administration in Matabeleland officially began in 1894, with the appointment of Native Commissioners. Although intended to manage relations with local communities, these efforts often disregarded the complexities of amaNdebele society and only worsened the hardships faced by natives through policies like forced resettlement in reserves and oppressive taxation. Moreover, the introduction of a native constabulary exacerbated social divisions, as former amaNdebele warriors became enforcers for colonial authorities, sometimes turning against their own people.
Rhodes, emboldened by his financial and political control, shifted focus toward a broader unification of South Africa under British influence. His ambitions led to the notorious Jameson Raid in 1895, an attempt to incite an uprising among the Transvaal’s Uitlander (non-Boer) miners and seize control of the territory from the Boers. Jameson, who led the raid, misjudged the level of support and faced a swift Boer response, leading to the raid’s failure and his capture. The raid damaged Rhodes' reputation and political standing, diminishing his influence and destabilizing relations within southern Africa. Back in Rhodesia, the withdrawal of troops for the Jameson Raid left the region virtually defenseless, highlighting the settlers' vulnerability and contributing to native unrest. This tension would eventually lead to further resistance against colonial rule, setting the stage for continued conflict in Rhodesia.
At the center of the emerging rebellion was Mkwati (also referred to as M’Quati), an influential religious leader and member of the Mlimo theocracy, a spiritual hierarchy within amaNdebele society. Little is recorded about Mkwati's early life, except that he was captured during an amaNdebele raid near the Zambezi River and subsequently became a Mlimo priest. Charismatic and politically ambitious, Mkwati advocated for the restoration of the monarchy and a return to traditional ways, ideas that initially found little support among the aging and disheartened amaNdebele leadership.
The dynamics shifted following the Jameson Raid, as the colonial forces were momentarily weakened. Recognizing this vulnerability, Mkwati intensified his efforts, traveling across Matabeleland to unite various indunas (chiefs) and rebuild the ibutho, the traditional amaNdebele regimental system. He established his headquarters at the sacred cave shrine of Thabas-zi-ka-Mambo (also known as Ntaba zika Mambo or Manyanga), approximately 64 km (40 miles) northeast of Bulawayo. Mkwati planned a coordinated uprising set for the full moon on March 28, 1896. The strategy involved surprise attacks on European settlers in both rural areas and Bulawayo, with native servants and laborers instructed to kill their employers. A week before the planned uprising, an altercation led to the killing of native constables by amaNdebele men, triggering the rebellion prematurely. News of these incidents reached the colonial administration through survivors and reports of additional attacks, including the murder of European miners and traders in Insiza. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Acting Administrator Andrew Duncan formed a council of defense and mobilized the Matabeleland Mounted Police to rescue besieged settlers.
As violence spread, refugees flooded into Bulawayo, prompting the fortification of the city. Defensive positions were established, artillery and machine guns were deployed, and able-bodied men were reminded of their contractual obligations to serve militarily. Despite efforts to disarm native police forces, around 200 native policemen defected to join the rebels, taking their weapons with them. By mid-April, large numbers of amaNdebele warriors surrounded Bulawayo. The residents, though initially panicked, had bolstered the city's defenses and were prepared for a protracted siege. The amaNdebele forces, however, hesitated to launch a decisive attack. Skirmishes occurred, but the situation remained largely static. Local militias such as the Bulawayo Field Force, Grey’s Scouts, and an Afrikaner commando unit engaged in mobile confrontations with the amaNdebele, inflicting casualties but failing to change the strategic stalemate. Historians attribute the amaNdebele's missed opportunities to poor command and decision-making. Notably, they failed to sever the Mangwe Pass route to Mafeking, which remained open and allowed the British to send reinforcements, a crucial factor in the colony's survival.
In response to the escalating crisis, both the British South Africa Company and the British government organized relief efforts. Cecil Rhodes was en route from London, where he faced inquiries over the Jameson Raid, when he learned of the rebellion. Despite his recent political setbacks, Rhodes saw the situation as an opportunity to reassert his influence. Upon arriving in Salisbury , Rhodes took control of organizing a relief expedition to Bulawayo. Dismissing concerns about a potential uprising among the maShona people, he assembled a volunteer force that reached Bulawayo on June 1, 1896, without encountering resistance. With nearly 2,000 troops, Carrington launched an immediate offensive. On June 6, his forces engaged a large amaNdebele contingent southeast of Bulawayo. Utilizing superior firepower, including machine guns and artillery, the British forces inflicted heavy casualties, causing the amaNdebele to retreat. The siege of Bulawayo effectively ended, but the amaNdebele warriors dispersed into smaller groups, with many seeking refuge in the rugged Matopos Hills.
Rhodesia: A Complete History 1890-1980 (2018). Peter Baxter
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