Questions

1. Examine the causes of the Anglo-Ndebele war of 1893-94 and determine who was
responsible for the outbreak of the war.
Suggested answers

 The Anglo Ndebele war was caused by a number of factors that affected the relationship
between the Ndebele and the white settlers.
 The failure by Europeans to find the second rand in Mashonaland.
 The disappointing amount of gold in Mashonaland and the expanding expenditure led to
the BSAC shifting hopes of finding gold in Matabeleland.
 Discovery of gold in Witwatersrand made the settlers think that the gold belt also
stretched in Zimbabwe.
 The white settlers were attracted by the land, pastures and cattle of the Ndebele.
 The border dispute: the war was caused by the assertion of a border between
Matabeleland and Mashonaland.
 The Victoria incident which was characterised by a number of incidents
- In 1893 500 m of telegraph wire was stolen by subjects under a Shona Chief, Gomara
and the BSAC demanded a fine in form of cattle thus they used Lobengula’s cattle.
- Chief Bere stole cattle belonging to Mgandani Dlodlo the Ndebele chief and the
BSAC interfered in the matter.
 The Ndebele warriors were thirsty for a white men’s blood and they believed that
Lobengula was wrong to allow the settlers to settle in Mashonaland without a fight.
 The location of the Ndebele state hindered the establishment of a railway line from
Salisbury (Zimbabwe) to Mafikeng (South Africa).
 The Ndebele and the white settlers were eager to control Mashonaland.
 Failure of Chief Bere and Lomagundi to pay tribute.

2. The Anglo- Ndebele war was inevitable. Discuss

Suggested answers
 The series that occurred during the period of 1093 challenged Lobengula’s authority.
 In 1891 Lomagundi and Chief Chivi failed to pay tribute which was a sign of loyalty in the
Ndebele State.
 500 yards of telegraph wire were cut out between Fort Tuli and Fort Victoria, Chief
Gomara used Lobengula’s cattle to pay a fine to Jameson.
 Chief Bere sole Lobengula’s cattle leading to the death of Umgadani one of the
Matebele leaders and a dozen of warriors.
 The Ndebele warriors were overzealous and they wanted to drive away the white
settlers who had occupied Mashonaland.
  The expanding expenditure of the BSAC after the failure to find a second rand in
Mashonaland.
 The desire of the white settlers to control Mashonaland without the interference of King
Lobengula.
 The hindrance of the Ndebele state on the establishment of railway line from Salisbury
to Mafikeng.
 The death of Lobengula three envoys including his brother Ingubungubu who were sent
to Cape Town.
 The settlers were nervous of the Ndebele people and felt they could not live or work in
peace thus they saw it best to eliminate the enemy before it killed them.
 The need for cheap labour on the side of the settlers.
 The Ndebele people were wary of the BSAC motives and the resentful restrictions on
their traditional practices such as raiding.
 The desire by white settlers to control grazing pastures, land, cattle and minerals.
Therefore these activities gave a last straw to the outbreak of the Anglo- Ndebele war.
3. To what extent did the Victoria incident contribute to the outbreak of the Anglo-Ndebele
war?
Suggested answers

 Victoria Incidents involves the events that occurred in Masvingo leading lo the final
confrontation between the white and settlers.
 Gomara and his people stole 500 yards of telegraph wire and paid a fine with
Lobengula’s cattle.
 Chief Bere also stole cattle that belonged to the Mgandani Dlodlo Ndebele Chief in
Shurugwi.
 The Ndebele raided the Shona people in Bere, Zimuto and areas surrounding Fort
Victoria.
 Farm and mine labourers were attacked disturbing the economic activities of the white
settlers.
 The attack of the Shona by Ndebele raider led to the death of Umgundani and a dozen
of warriors.
Other factors leading to the war

 Absence of gold in Mashonaland.

 The desire by white settlers to control land, cattle and minerals.
 Failure of the Shona chiefs to pay tribute.
 Overzealous warriors who wanted the white settlers out of Mashonaland.
 4. The Ndebele were largely to blame for the outbreak of the Anglo-Ndebele war. Discuss

Suggested answers

Blame

 The king Lobengula continued raiding the people of Mashonaland, which disturbed white men’s
farms which triggered the war
 The boundary was re-drawn by the whites which limited Lobengula’s control, the king refused to
accept the status quo and it led to conflicts between him and the foreigners
 Soon after the Victoria incident he mobilised war and was ready to attack

Other causes of the Anglo-Ndebele war

 The BSAC was hungry to proceed with the annexation soon after they were granted the Royal
Charter by the queen
 The whites wanted Lobengula’s cattle and land for agricultural purposes
 The quest to find the 2nd Eldorado in Matabeleland made the war inevitable
 Fulfilling Rhodes’ Cape to Cairo dream as the Ndebele were a stumbling block to his dream
 Rhodes desire to construct a railway line which pass through Matabeleland
 Jameson was craving for a war which led to the swift battle between the two rivals
 The whites wanted cheap labour, hence the need to defeat them first as they knew that the
Ndebele’s were stubborn and they were not going to just give in without retaliation