Rhodesiana Volume 29
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SPECIAL ISSUE LECTURES ON ASPECTS OF RHODESIAN HISTORY BULAWAYO, MAY-JULY 1973. ·. ~.,,,,.,,,,,./ , , .... l • ,., I II' ----... 1948 The Standard Bank Limited, Victoria Falls 1973 J1 THOMAS MEIKLE, 1864-1939 The founder of the Meikle Organisation sailed from Scotland with his parents in 1869. The family settled in Natal where Thomas and his brothers John and Stewart gained their first farming ex perience. In 1892 the three brothers set off for Rhodesia with eight ox- wagons. Three months later they had completed the 700 mile trek to Fort Victoria. Here they opened a store made of whiskey cases and roofed over with the tarpaulins that had covered their wagons. Progress was at first slow, nevertheless, branches were opened in Salisbury in 1893, Bulawayo and Gwelo in 1894, and in Umtali in 1897. From these small beginnings a vast network of stores, hotels, farms, mines and auxilliary undertakings was built up. These ventures culminated in the formation of the Thomas Meikle Trust and Investment Company in 1933. The success of these many enterprises was mainly due to Thomas Meikle's foresight and his business acumen, coupled with his ability to judge character and gather around him a loyal and efficient staff. His great pioneering spirit lives on: today the Meikle Organisation is still playing an important part in the development of Rhodesia. THOMAS MEIKLE TRUST AND INVESTMENT CO. (PVT.) LIMITED. Travel Centre Stanley Avenue P.O. Box 3578 Salisbury i RHODESIAN ARTISTS' PICTURES FRAMED by C. H. NAAKE (PVT.) LIMITED for 74 YEARS 1889-1973 ii PIONEER HEAD Rhodesia's Quality Publisher announce the publication of REMEMBER MAZOE by Geoffrey Bond The story of the Mazoe Patrol is not only an Important part of Rhodesia's history but an epic account of man's determination to survive in the face of overwhelming odds. Unlike the earlier Shangani Patrol, there were survivors who "lived to tell the tale". Geoffrey Bond's masterly reconstruction of 1:he incident and of the events that led to the rebellion in 1896 is a vivid portrayal. Captain Nesbitt received the Victoria Cross for his leadership and though this award was well deserved, It seems unfortunate that the courage of both the survivors and those who lost their lives was not more publicly recognised at the time. It is to be hoped that "REMEMBER MAZOE" will serve as a fitting tribute to brave men and women. The beautiful dust jacket, frontispiece and end-papers, as well as the sketches at the beginning of each chapter, were designed and drawn by Salisbury artist J. E. Don Johnson F.S.I.A. (R.) Price $4,75 FROM klNGSTONS AND ALL BOOKSELLERS P.O. Box 2374, Salisbury, Rhodesia. iii O!.HOWWE w · MADE RHODESIA IIAJOR A. 0. LEO!UllD An Invitation The Rhodesiana Reprint Library, featured below, comprises a matching, numbered set of 36 of lhe choicest books on the pioneering days of Rhodesia. Thirty-two volumes have already been issued, tho last being How We Made Rhodesia. The Series is now being re-issued from the beginning, and is available at the rate of a book a month, one every two months, or even one every three months- to suit readers' tastes. The average price per book to subscribers, who enjoy a 33½% discount off retail prices, is about $4,75, inclusive of S/ T and postage. This is your opportunity to acquire this set of rare and out-of-print books on easy, pay-as-you-read terms. ·---=- -· ~ - r- PUBLISHING CO. (PVT.) LTD. iv i .- PAGET . 0:Rl-OXSIA /~ : . Ili ~ ,..,WA ••a 'l'}:. ·r e ~-- False Davvn Subscribers are given an additional choice from a wide range of 'Optional Extras', which -- Includes the above new releases. When Ufe Was Rusted Through, a collector's item, is a gem of a little book which was rated Africana Book of the Year for 1973 by The Star of Johannesburg. " .. a work of art in book production ... a joy to look at, to handle, and to have ...," wrote Denis Godfrey. • :~.,:.. -~ -:::..-:- • :.: - ~-- ---=--·- z RHODESIA P.O. BOX 1994, BULAWAYO V We've added two important letters to our name Smart & Copley, established in Bulawayo since April, 1897, are now part of the QV group of pharmacies. Joining Patterson's Pharmacy of Fife Street and 10th Avenue as a member of this new and exciting marketing chain. SMART & COPLEY QV PHARMACY 87 Main Street, Bulawayo vi RHODESIANA Publication No. 29 — December, 1973 THE RHODESIANA SOCIETY Salisbury Rhodesia vii Edited by W. V. BRELSFORD Assisted by E. E. BURKE Copyright is reserved by the Society Authors are responsible for their own opinions and for the accuracy of statements they make. viii CONTENTS December 1973 Page INTRODUCTION TO THE BULAWAYO LECTURES ON ASPECTS OF RHODESIAN HISTORY, BY L. W. BOLZE 1 LECTURE NO. 1. THE STONE AGE IN RHODESIA, BY C. K. COOKE 3 LECTURE NO. 2. PREHISTORY—IRON AGE, RUINS PERIOD, BY THOMAS N. HUFFMAN 9 LECTURE NO. 3. AFRICAN HISTORY, BY H. R. G. HOWMAN ........ 16 LECTURE NO. 4. THE IMPACT OF THE VARIOUS INVASIONS FROM SOCIOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC ANGLES, BY E. GREENFIELD 27 LECTURE NO. 5. EUROPEAN PRE-PIONEERS, 1500-1890, BY E. T. HEPBURN 38 LECTURE NO. 6. EUROPEANS, NINETEENTH CENTURY ONWARDS, BRITISH, DUTCH, PORTUGUESE, BY O. N. RANSFORD .. ...... .. 46 LECTURE NO. 7. CONCESSION-SEEKERS AND THE SCRAMBLE FOR MATABELELAND, BY P. R. WARHURST 55 LECTURE NO. 8. SOME NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS, BLACK AND WHITE, AND THEIR IMPACT : PART 1. THOMAS BAINES, BY H. A. D. SIMONS .. .. 65 PART 2. THE GO-BETWEEN—JOHN GROOTBOOM, BY GWENDA NEWTON 68 PART 3. MRS. TAWSE-JOLLIE, BY MRS. PADDY VICKERY 76 LECTURE NO. 9. PRESENT AND FUTURE ACTION TO PRESERVE THE PAST, BY C. K. COOKE 82 GREAT ZIMBABWE: A REVIEW ARTICLE, BY T. N. HUFFMAN 88 SOME RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES, COMPILED BY C. COGGIN 93 PERIODICALS AND ARTICLES OF INTEREST. A SURVEY BY DOROTHEA ROWSE 96 SOCIETY ACTIVITIES 98 NOTES 103 CORRESPONDENCE 109 REVIEWS 114 LIST OF MEMBERS 131 The cover picture shows old Rhodesian buildings in Manica Road, Salisbury, ix The Rhodesiana Society Founded 1953 The Society exists to promote Rhodesian historical studies and to encourage research. It also aims to unite all who wish to foster a wider appreciation and knowledge of the history of Rhodesia. There is no entrance fee; the subscription is $3,00 Rhodesian currency ($5,00 U.S.A. or R3,30) a year, and this entitles paid- up members to those numbers of Rhodesiana issued during the year. There are two issues in each year, dated July and December. For further information and particulars concerning membership please write to: The Honorary National Secretary, Rhodesiana Society, P.O. Box 8268, Causeway, Salisbury, Rhodesia. For information about Branch activities please write to: Matabeleland Branch, P.O. Box 192, Bulawayo. Manicaland Branch, P.O. Box 136, Umtali. Mashonaland Branch, P.O. Box 3946, Salisbury. Manuscripts will be welcomed by the Editor. They should preferably be typed in double spacing and be complete with any illustrations. Copies of published works for review will also be welcomed. National Executive Committee Members G. H. Tanser, National Chairman R. W. S. Turner, National Deputy Chairman C. W. H. Loades, National Honorary Secretary W. V. Brelsford, Editor Colonel A. S. Hickman, M.B.E. E. E. Burke R. D. Franks x T. W. H. Kennedy Grant J. Kerr M. J. Kimberley H. G. Robertson, Mashonaland Branch Representative L. W. Bolze, Matabeleland Branch Representative R. A. R. Bent, C.B.E., Manicaland Branch Representative Matabeleland Manicaland Mashonaland Branch Branch Branch Committee Committee Committee Members Members Members Chairman Chairman Chairman H. V. Vickery R. A. R. Bent, C.B.E. R. W. S. Turner Honorary Secretary and Treasurer Honorary Secretary Vice-Chairman B. Lovemore, O.L.M. Miss A. Cripps M. J. Kimberley L. W. Bolze R. Y. Armstrong Honorary Secretary P. B. Gibbs, M.B.E. D. J. Chadd Mrs. Wendy Hedderick E. T. Hepburn P. M. Hutchinson W. Parry Honorary Treasurer P. W. Porter Mrs. R. M. T. Barker H. A. B. Symons Mrs. M. Waddy R. D. Franks G. Zacharias T. W. H. Kennedy Grant J. M. Leach H. G. Robertson xi SPECIAL ISSUE Lectures on Aspects of Rhodesian History Bulawayo, May-July, 1973 xiii Matabele warriors, 1896 (Lecture 4). (Photo: National Archives) xiv INTRODUCTION Lectures on Aspects of Rhodesian History Since it was formed on 14th January, 1968, the Matabeleland Branch of the Rhodesiana Society has held 31 outings to places of historic interest in the precincts of Bulawayo, with a total attendance of 4 500 to 5 000. The majority of these have been all-day Sunday occasions, of an average round-trip of 60 to 100 miles, although members once travelled to the Shangani River, site of the last stand of Allan Wilson and his party, a distance of some 280 miles. Excep tions to the day trips were long-week-end camps held at Tuli and Hartley. These numerous and varied site visits, all of which have been backed by informative talks, have given members an intimate, first-hand knowledge of local historical events. The programme, although ambitious, has always been well supported and it has stimulated follow-up reading of the Journal and of the many excellent works of Rhodesiana now available. Seeking to offer its members even greater variety, the Branch Committee decided, towards the end of 1972, to launch a series of mid-week lectures during the winter months of this year. Doubt was at first expressed as to whether lec tures would have the same appeal as the popular outings; however, the small City Hall in Bulawayo was hired for lunch hours on Tuesdays, nine lectures being arranged between 15th May and 24th July.