The Occupation of Southern Rhodesia: Colonial Impact and Legacy

Explore the historical occupation of Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, by the British South Africa Company in the late 19th century. This post delves into the arrival of the Pioneer Column in 1890, the subsequent establishment of British colonial rule, and the profound changes imposed on the indigenous populations.

We’ll examine the socio-economic transformations, the introduction of racial segregation policies, and the lasting effects of these colonial policies that set the stage for future conflicts and the eventual struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence.

Occupation of Southern Rhodesia As a Strategic Move

Did you know that the occupation of Southern Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, marked a significant chapter in the history of colonialism in Africa?

Let’s delve into how this event unfolded and its lasting impacts. In the late 19th century, the British South Africa Company, led by Cecil Rhodes, initiated the occupation of what was then known as Southern Rhodesia.

This move was part of a broader strategy to control and exploit the resources of the region. The occupation of Southern Rhodesia began with the Pioneer Column in 1890, a group mainly composed of British settlers, who trekked into the Mashonaland region.

Their arrival marked the beginning of systematic colonization, fundamentally altering the region’s demographic and political landscape.

Oppressive Rule under the Occupation

The indigenous populations faced significant disruptions. Traditional systems were dismantled, and the new colonial administration imposed taxes and laws that favored European settlers and commercial interests.

This led to the alienation of native lands, pushing local communities into less fertile areas. The establishment of Southern Rhodesia as a British colony also set the stage for the development of racial segregation policies, which later evolved into a full-fledged system of apartheid in the region.

These policies restricted the rights of the black majority, while consolidating power and economic benefits in the hands of a white minority.

During the occupation, Cecil John Rhodes used his influence to establish colonial control over the area that is now known as Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.

He achieved this through a series of events that led to his new company, the British South Africa (BSA) Company, gaining over the area.

1. Moffat Treaty (1888)

Rhodes was concerned that the Portuguese in Mozambique, the Germans in German West Africa (now Namibia) and the Boers in the Transvaal would threaten his plans to start mining for gold in Mashonaland and Matabeleland in what is now Zimbabwe.

• He therefore used the missionary John Scott Moffat Treaty with the British on 11 February 1888.
• A treaty is a formal agreement between one or more countries. Lobengula also agreed not to sign any treaty with other parties without informing the British.
• Lobengula believed that the Moffat Treaty was a treaty of friendship between him and the British Queen Vitoria.
• The Matabele King faced threats from rivals who did not accept his rule.
• He therefore, thought the treaty would help him against his enemies. Only later did Lobengula and John Scott Moffat realise that the real aim was to bring the area under British control.

Rudd Concession (1888)

• To strengthen his position in Matabeleland, Rhodes sent a group of businessmen, led by Charles Rudd, to the area to obtain a gold concession.
• Lobengula believed that it gave Rhodes and his associates a limited mining concession. However, the concession was actually a gold concession for the entire Matabele Kingdom.

Charter for the British South Africa Company (1889)

• In 1889, the British government granted a royal charter to the British South Africa (BSA) Company, which had been set up by Rhodes to exploit the mineral rights in Matabeleland.
• This meant that the British government recognised the Rudd Concession as a real agreement between Lobengula and the businessmen.

Impact of the Occupation of Southern Rhodesia

The occupation of Southern Rhodesia by the British South Africa Company was not just a quest for new territories but also a profound transformation of the region’s social, economic, and political structures.

This period laid the groundwork for future conflicts and the struggle for independence that would eventually lead to the birth of Zimbabwe.

Understanding this chapter of history helps us appreciate the complexities and enduring effects of colonial legacies in Africa.