History of Rhodesia

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

History of Rhodesia http:/www.rhodesia.nl HISTORY OF RHODESIA CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. EARLY HISTORY OF RHODESIA. Introductory—Traces of an ancient civilisation—The Zimbabwe ruins—Their probable object and extent—Peculiarities of construction—Who were the builders?—Identity with the Phoenicians urged —Was Mashonaland the Ophir of old?— Ruins in Matabeleland—Rhodesia in the seventeenth century —Portuguese invasion—Invasion of the Zulus—The Matabele tribe—Early European explorers ..... 1 CHAPTER II. MATABELELAND UNDER LOBENGULA. Death of Umsiligaas—Election of Lobengula as king—His coronation—His appearance and characteristics—A disgusting orgie—Lobengula's task—His attitude towards Europeans— The Tati concessions—The kraal of Gu-Buluwayo— Lobengula's love of moving about—The king as rain- maker—The ceremony of the war-dance—Attendant rites .....18 CHAPTER III. THE CONCESSION GAINED. The emissaries of the British South Africa Company—Opposition to them in Gu-Buluwayo— Unfortunate interference of the Aborigines' Protection Society—Its result—Timely arrival of Dr Jameson—Mr Rhodes's far- sighted policy—The concession granted—The charter signed—Its principal features—The raising of a Pioneer corps to proceed to Mashonaland—Reaction against the white men in Matabeleland—Arrival of the Queen's envoys at Gu-Buluwayo—The first races in Matabeleland—South African interest in the new country— The Pioneer column moves forward— Its organisation and equipment—Arrival at the Limpopo—Reviewed by General Methuen — Precautions against attack — The Tuli river reached—Cutting the road—Message from Lobengula— The column ordered to return— Colonel Pennefather's reply .....33 CHAPTER IV. FOUNDING A COLONY. The advance of the Pioneers—Threatening attitude of the Matabele—Fort Victoria built—The British flag hoisted in Mashonaland—Disbandment of the Pioneer column—Issue of mining licences —The reaction against the country—The hardships of the settlers—Development of Salisbury—The grant of farms—Acquisition of Manicaland—Dispute with the Portuguese—Arrest of the Portuguese officers by Major Forbes—Exploits of Major Forbes's "army"—The dispute patched up —More trouble with the Portuguese—Despatch of a force under Captain Heyman—Defeat of the Portuguese troops—Attack on Sir John Willoughby's boats—Intervention of Lord Salisbury—The trouble over—Difficulty with the Boers—President Kruger surprised ..... 52 CHAPTER V. WAR WITH THE MATABELE. The turn of the tide—Grievances against the Chartered Company—Development of Mashonaland— Disbandment of the police—Formation of a volunteer force—Misbehaviour of the Matabele " boys "—Defiance of the Matabele by the Mashonas —Lobengula's vengeance—Intervention of Dr Jameson—The settlers defied by the Matabele—The Matabele attacked by the police— Misrepresentation of the facts in England— " Read Luke xiv. 31 "—Dr Jameson prepares to advance into Matabeleland—Vacillating conduct of Lord Ripon—The financial side of the question —"Mr Rhodes's war"—Formation of an invading force—March towards the Matabeleland frontier— The first casualty to the whites—Bad generalship of the Matabele ..... 70 CHAPTER VI. WAR WITH THE MATABELE—Continued. Crossing the Shangani—Attack on the laager—Severe fighting—Repulse of the cavalry of the whites —Defeat of the Matabele—The column moves forward towards Bulawayo— The death of Captain Williams—Attack on the column near the Bembesi river—Attempt to "rush" the laager—The horses stampeded—Gallantry of Sir John Willoughby and Captain Borrow—Desperate fighting—Retreat of the natives with severe loss—Bulawayo blown up by the Matabele— Bulawayo occupied by the whites—News of the Tuli column —An unfortunate incident—Attack on the Tuli column— Arrival of the Tuli column at Bulawayo—Lobengula's flight towards the Bubi river—Jameson's message to the king— Treachery of the two troopers—Major Forbes sent in pursuit of the king—Hot chase after Lobengula—Despatch of a patrol under Major Wilson—The column attacked—Desperate position of Major Wilson's band—Gallantry of the American scouts .....88 CHAPTER VII. CONCLUSION OF THE WAR. The massacre of Major Wilson and his men—A band of heroes—The conclusion of the campaign— Retreat of Major Wilson's column along the Shangani river—Hardships on the way— The column attacked—Narrow escape of the horses—Continued fighting—The troubles of the column at an end — Junction with the relief force—Death of Lobengula—Terms of peace arranged—Disbandment of the British force—The cost of the war—Matabeleland thrown open to settlers— Hostility of the Radical members of the House of Commons to the Chartered Company—The settlement of the country —Building a railway towards Salisbury—Moving a town— Mr Rhodes and the Colonial Office—Visit of Mr Rhodes and Dr Jameson to England—Transference of territory to the Chartered Company—The trans-continental telegraph—A sudden check to the colony's progress ..... 107 CHAPTER VIII. THE JAMESON RAID. The discontent in the Transvaal—Mr Rhodes and the Uitlanders—Mr J. H. Hammond's views—Mr Rhodes's plans—Formation of the Rhodesia Horse Volunteers—The Rhodesian police moved to the Transvaal border—The real intention of this movement—Mr Rhodes and the " Reform Committee "—The " women and children " letter—The position in Johannesburg—The dispute about the flag— Dr Jameson impatient—His start for the Transvaal—Mr Rhodes's attempt to prevent the Raid—The High Commissioner's proclamation—Why the telegraph line to Pretoria was not cut—How the news of Dr Jameson's incursion affected Mr Rhodes—The events of the Raid—The defeat and surrender of Dr Jameson—The reception of the news of the Raid in London—The German Emperor's telegram —Johannesburg disarmed—The Raiders handed over to the British Government—President Kruger and Johannesburg—His threat to shell the town—Arrival of the Raiders in London — Their trial and sentences—The leaders of the "Reform Committee" sentenced to death— The sentence commuted .....124 CHAPTER IX. THE JAMESON RAID COMMITTEE. The Raid in Parliament—-Alleged complicity of the Colonial Office—Mr Labouchere's attacks— Mr Rhodes prepared to ' face the music "—His triumphal progress through Cape Colony—His arrival in London and his interview with Mr Chamberlain—The inquiry into the Raid by the Cape Parliament—A Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed to go into the affair—Mr Rhodes before the committee—His cross-examination by Sir William Harcourt— Evidence as to the future government of Rhodesia—Sir Graham Bowyer's evidence—Evidence of Mr W. Schreiner, Dr Jameson, the Directors of the Chartered Company, and Sir John Willoughby — Dr Harris and Mr Labouchere— A stormy scene — Mr Labouchere compelled to apologise—Mr Hawksley's defiance of the Committee—The Committee's report—Condemnation of the Raid—Mr Labouchere unrepentant — Debate in the House of Commons — Mr Chamberlain's eulogy on Mr Rhodes— Rout of the " Little Englanders" . .143 CHAPTER X. OUTBREAK OF THE MATABELE REBELLION. The rinderpest in Rhodesia—Rumours of discontent among the natives—The causes of the rebellion —The first act of the rising—Murder of settlers—Alarm in Bulawayo—Patrols despatched to the outlying districts—A general insurrection in progress—Atrocities by the natives—Panic in Bulawayo—A terrible night—Construction of a laager at Bulawayo— A night alarm—A gang of cowards—The sufferings of the women—Formation of the Bulawayo Field Force—Other laagers formed in the country . 162 CHAPTER XI. THE MATABELE REBELLION—Continued. Patrol under the Hon. Maurice Gifford leaves Bulawayo—" Fireside philanthropists"—The defence of Cumming's store— Repulse of the rebels—Relief of Stewart's store—Departure of a patrol for the Insiza district—Fight in the Elibani hills —Fate of the party at Inyati—Fortification of Campbell's store — Arrival of the relief force — Adventures of two troopers—The devotion of Trooper Henderson—The Gwanda patrol - Another force sets out for the Gwands—Native fear of the telegraph wire—Return march of the Gwanda column—Severe fighting—The column in a tight place—A running fight—Heavy losses of the whites—The rebels at last beaten off—The Shiloh patrol—A skirmish—Arrival of the patrol at Fonseca's farm—Lieutenant Rorke's escape—Heavy fighting—Colonel Gifford wounded—More fighting—Relief of the patrol—Death of Captain Lumsden ..... 180 CHAPTER XII. THE MATABELE REBELLION—continued. Rebels massing around Bulawayo—Action near the Umgusa river—Three members of the Afrikander corps murdered— Rebel attack on Napier's farm—Another skirmish at the Umgusa river —Determined efforts to break up the rebel impis—Third fight at the Umgusa—Mr Selous's narrow escape—Bravery of Trooper Baxter—Gallantry of Grey's scouts—Fourth action at the Umgusa—A hot fight—Dashing charge by the Afrikander corps—The impis forced to retreat—Advance of a relief force from Salisbury"—Departure of a large force for the Shangani—Grey's scouts attacked— A splendid charge—The whites' revenge—The Salisbury relief column—Meeting of the two forces —Colonel Spreckley leaves for the Insiza district—Several skirmishes—Bodies of murdered settlers found—Patrol through the Filabusi district—Arrival of Colonel Plumer's relief force at Bulawayo — A night march—Colonel Plumer's first patrol—The Imperial Government takes command—Arrival of Sir Frederick Carrington and other Imperial officers at Bulawayo .....198 CHAPTER XIII. END OF THE MATABELE REBELLION. Preparations for crushing the rebels—Three patrols sent out—An impi approaching the town— Another fight at the Umgusa—Repulse of the Matabele—The promise
Recommended publications
  • Recapitalization Or Reform? the Bankruptcy of the First Dutch West India Company and the Formation of the Second West India Company, 1674
    Itinerario, Vol. 43, No. 1, 88–106. © 2019 Research Institute for History, Leiden University. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. doi:10.1017/S016511531900007X Recapitalization or Reform? The Bankruptcy of the First Dutch West India Company and the Formation of the Second West India Company, 1674 ERIK ODEGARD* E-mail: [email protected] The Dutch West India Company (WIC), founded in 1621, was, in the words of the States General, “disbanded and destroyed” in September 1674 due to bankruptcy. In its stead, a second West India Company was founded, with a charter largely taken over from the first. This article explores how the dissolution of the first company and the conflicting interests of stockholders, bondholders, and company directors were managed. As it turns out, the old company was not actually liquidated; instead, its assets were simply handed over to the successor company, while an intricate financial construction was devised to take care of the debt burden and to capitalize the new company. The reasons for this unusual arrangement must be sought in the company’s great political, and particularly geopolit- ical, importance. Since the Dutch state was unwilling and unable to handle colonial gov- ernance and defence itself, it needed a placeholder in the form of a chartered company. However, the bankruptcy of the WIC, coming at the time it did, had major consequences for the shape of the Dutch Atlantic of the eighteenth century.
    [Show full text]
  • The Naturalist and His 'Beautiful Islands'
    The Naturalist and his ‘Beautiful Islands’ Charles Morris Woodford in the Western Pacific David Russell Lawrence The Naturalist and his ‘Beautiful Islands’ Charles Morris Woodford in the Western Pacific David Russell Lawrence Published by ANU Press The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200, Australia Email: [email protected] This title is also available online at http://press.anu.edu.au National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Author: Lawrence, David (David Russell), author. Title: The naturalist and his ‘beautiful islands’ : Charles Morris Woodford in the Western Pacific / David Russell Lawrence. ISBN: 9781925022032 (paperback) 9781925022025 (ebook) Subjects: Woodford, C. M., 1852-1927. Great Britain. Colonial Office--Officials and employees--Biography. Ethnology--Solomon Islands. Natural history--Solomon Islands. Colonial administrators--Solomon Islands--Biography. Solomon Islands--Description and travel. Dewey Number: 577.099593 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover image: Woodford and men at Aola on return from Natalava (PMBPhoto56-021; Woodford 1890: 144). Cover design and layout by ANU Press Printed by Griffin Press This edition © 2014 ANU Press Contents Acknowledgments . xi Note on the text . xiii Introduction . 1 1 . Charles Morris Woodford: Early life and education . 9 2. Pacific journeys . 25 3 . Commerce, trade and labour . 35 4 . A naturalist in the Solomon Islands . 63 5 . Liberalism, Imperialism and colonial expansion . 139 6 . The British Solomon Islands Protectorate: Colonialism without capital . 169 7 . Expansion of the Protectorate 1898–1900 .
    [Show full text]
  • European Background of American History
    European Background of American History E. P. Cheyney European Background of American History Table of Contents European Background of American History..........................................................................................................1 E. P. Cheyney.................................................................................................................................................1 EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES.........................................................................................1 EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................3 EUROPEAN BACKGROUND OF AMERICAN HISTORY...................................................................................5 CHAPTER I. THE EAST AND THE WEST................................................................................................5 CHAPTER II. ORIENTAL AND OCCIDENTAL TRADE−ROUTES.....................................................10 CHAPTER III. ITALIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO EXPLORATION........................................................16 CHAPTER IV. PIONEER WORK OF PORTUGAL..................................................................................21 CHAPTER V. THE SPANISH MONARCHY IN THE AGE OF COLUMBUS.......................................27 CHAPTER VI. POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS OF CENTRAL EUROPE.................................................34 CHAPTER VII. THE SYSTEM OP CHARTERED COMMERCIAL COMPANIES...............................40
    [Show full text]
  • The Consequences of Early Colonial Policies on East African Economic and Political Integration
    The Consequences of Early Colonial Policies on East African Economic and Political Integration The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Battani, Matthew. 2020. The Consequences of Early Colonial Policies on East African Economic and Political Integration. Master's thesis, Harvard Extension School. Citable link https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37365415 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA The Consequences of Early Colonial Policies on the East African Economic and Political Integration Matthew Lee Battani A Thesis in the Field of International Relations for the Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies Harvard University November 2020 © 2020 Matthew Lee Battani Abstract Twentieth-century economic integration in East Africa dates back to European initiates in the 1880s. Those policies culminated in the formation of the first East African Community (EAC I) in 1967 between Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The EAC was built on a foundation of integrative polices started by Britain and Germany, who began formal colonization in 1885 as a result of the General Act of the Berlin Conference during the Scramble for Africa. While early colonial polices did foster greater integration, they were limited in important ways. Early colonial integration was bi-lateral in nature and facilitated European monopolies. Early colonial policies did not foster broad economic integration between East Africa’s neighbors or the wider world economy.
    [Show full text]
  • The Historical Role of the Corporation in Society
    Journal of the British Academy, 6(s1), 17–47. DOI https://doi.org/10.5871/jba/006s1.017 Posted 17 December 2018; Pre-print posted 31 October 2018. © The British Academy 2018 The historical role of the corporation in society LEONARDO DAVOUDI, CHRISTOPHER McKENNA and ROWENA OLEGARIO Abstract: This article charts the historical role of the corporation in society from antiquity to the present day. Using a broad temporal and transnational approach, it argues that social purpose has been a defining trait of the corporation since the con- cept of legal personhood first appeared in antiquity. The direct connection between incorporation and social purpose formally broke in the 19th century, when countries like the United Kingdom and United States introduced general incorporation laws. Yet many corporations continued to act positively on behalf of society on a voluntary basis, but even as they acted against the interests of workers, consumers, and the environment. This article demonstrates that concerns about corporate power have a long history, and that societies over time have designed a variety of legal systems and forms of corporate governance to address these concerns. Keywords: Corporation, business, social purpose, corporate social responsibility, company, philanthropy, social welfare, charity, business history, economic history. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This paper charts the historical role of the corporation in society from antiquity to the present day. It argues that, since the dawn of legal personhood, social purpose has been the defining trait of the corporation. This connection was formally broken in the 19th century through general incorporation laws, but many corporations continued to impact society positively on a voluntary basis.
    [Show full text]
  • Pioneers, Settlers, Aliens, Exiles: the Decolonisation of White Identity In
    Pioneers, Settlers, Aliens, Exiles J. L. Fisher Pioneers, Settlers, Aliens, Exiles The decolonisation of white identity in Zimbabwe J. L. Fisher THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY E P R E S S E P R E S S Published by ANU E Press The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200, Australia Email: [email protected] This title is also available online at: http://epress.anu.edu.au/pioneers_citation.html National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Author: Fisher, J. L. (Josephine Lucy) Title: Pioneers, settlers, aliens, exiles : the decolonisation of white identity in Zimbabwe / J. L. Fisher. ISBN: 9781921666148 (pbk.) 9781921666155 (pdf) Notes: Bibliography. Subjects: Decolonization--Zimbabwe. Whites--Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe--Politics and government--1980- Zimbabwe--Race relations. Dewey Number: 320.96891 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover design and layout by ANU E Press Printed by University Printing Services, ANU This edition © 2010 ANU E Press Contents Abbreviations. ix Preface . xi 1 ..Introduction. 1 2 ..Zimbabwe’s.discourse.of.national.reconciliation . 27 3 ..Re-inscribing.the.national.landscape. 55 4 ..Zimbabwe’s.narrative.of.national.rebirth. 79 5 ..Decolonising.settler.citizenship. 103 6 ..The.mobilisation.of.indigeneity. 131 7 ..The.loss.of.certainty. 173 8 ..Zimbabwe’s.governance.and.land.reform.crises—a.postscript.201
    [Show full text]
  • FIGHTING and WRITING the RHODESIAN ARMY at WAR and POSTWAR FIGHTING and WRITING Luise White FIGHTING and WRITING the RHODESIAN ARMY at WAR and POSTWAR
    LUISE WHITE FIGHTING AND WRITING THE RHODESIAN ARMY AT WAR AND POSTWAR FIGHTING AND WRITING Luise White FIGHTING AND WRITING THE RHODESIAN ARMY AT WAR AND POSTWAR Duke University Press ​| ​Durham and London | 2021 © 2021 Duke University Press All rights reserved Printed in the United States of Amer i ca on acid- free paper ∞ Designed by Matthew Tauch Typeset in Minion Pro by Westchester Publishing Services Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data Names: White, Luise, author. Title: Fighting and writing : the Rhodesian army at war and postwar / Luise White. Description: Durham : Duke University Press, 2021. | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2020022213 (print) | LCCN 2020022214 (ebook) | ISBN 9781478010623 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781478011729 (paperback) | ISBN 9781478021285 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Southern Rhodesia. Army. Selous Scouts. | Whites—Zimbabwe—History. | Whites—Race identity— Zimbabwe. | Zimbabwe—Race relations—History. | Zimbabwe—History—1965–1980. | Zimbabwe—History— Chimurenga War, 1966–1980. Classification: LCC DT2988 .W45 2021 (print) | LCC DT2988 (ebook) | DDC 968.91/04—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020022213 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020022214 Cover art: Eleven Troop 3 Commandos at Deka on the Zambezi, 1978. Photograph by Tom Argyle. Courtesy of Chris Cocks. CONTENTS vii Acknowl edgments xi Place- Names, Currency, and Acronyms 1 1 Zimbabwe’s Liberation Strug gle and Rhodesia’s Bush War: Locating Its History 31 2 “Blood and Ink”: Memoirs, Authors, Histories 59 3 “ Your Shona Is Better Than Mine!”: Pseudo Gangs, Blacking Up, and the Pleasures of Counterinsurgency 83 4 “Each Footprint Tells a Story”: Tracking and Poaching in the Rhodesian Army 109 5 “­There Is No Copyright on Facts”: Ron Reid- Daly, Authorship, and the Transkei Defence Force 121 6 “­Every Self- Respecting Terrorist Has an ak-47”: Guerrilla Weapons and Rhodesian Imaginations 141 7 “ A Plastic Bag full of Cholera”: Rhodesia and Chemical and Biological Weapons 167 8 “­Will Travel Worldwide.
    [Show full text]
  • Peasants and Nationalism in the Development of Land Ownership Structure in Zimbabwe from Pre-Colonialism to the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) Period
    LAND TO THE PEOPLE: Peasants and nationalism in the development of land ownership structure in Zimbabwe from pre-colonialism to the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) period. Bridget M. Mupfuvi Salford Business School University of Salford, Greater Manchester United Kingdom Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, March 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... 2 CHAPTER ONE ..................................................................................................................... 10 THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING: INTRODUCING THE STUDY ......................... 10 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 10 1.2 Key Research Questions ................................................................................................. 16 1.3 Significance of the study ................................................................................................ 19 1.4 Historical Significance of the Study ............................................................................... 20 1.6 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 25 1.7 Chapter Outline .............................................................................................................. 26 CHAPTER TWO ...................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • THE ARCHITECTURE of DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY SHIPS a Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the G
    FIRST SPACES OF COLONIALISM: THE ARCHITECTURE OF DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY SHIPS A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Cornell University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Richard John Guy January 2012 © 2012 Richard John Guy FIRST SPACES OF COLONIALISM: THE ARCHITECTURE OF DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY SHIPS Richard John Guy Ph. D. (D.M.A.) (J.S.D) Cornell University 2012 This dissertation is an inquiry into spatial aspects of control, resistance and communication in the Dutch East India Company (VOC), as revealed by the architecture of its ships. The architectural type of the retourschip or “homeward bounder” is described and the history of its development, 1602- 1795 is traced, with special attention paid to the period 1740-1783, when the richest records concerning ship design were produced and the ships reached their most standardized forms. The retourschip was one of the highest technological achievements of its day and was used as an emblem for military and mercantile power by the VOC. The ship’s role and meaning as an armature for the VOC’s ideological constructs is examined. Ships also, in Paul Gilroy’s words, constituted "microcultural, micro-political systems," with their own social and spatial orders. These orders are explored, along with their ideological uses as structuring models for VOC society. Changes to the spatial design of the retourschip through the period of the VOC’s operation are linked to changes in the social structure aboard and to changes in the status of VOC mariners, officers and captains.
    [Show full text]
  • Rhodesiana Volume 37
    THOMAS MEIKLE, 1862-1939 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 whisky 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 3598 Salisbury Charter House, at the corner of Jameson Avenue and Kings Crescent, was opened in 1958. The name Charter House was given by The British South Africa Company to its administrative offices. It is now the headquarters of Anglo American Corporation in Rhodesia. Altogether there have been seven Charter Houses in Rhodesia, of which two remain ; one in Salisbury and one in Bulawayo.
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution of British Business Forms
    ICAEW MARKET FOUNDATIONS Evolution of British business forms: a historical perspectiveEffective from 1 March 2017 Alexander Fallis EVOLUTION OF BRITISH BUSINESS FORMS: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Preface This paper has been commissioned by ICAEW as background for its thought leadership paper Future enterprise: assessing forms of business. In this latest paper we explore how business organisational structures have evolved in a somewhat haphazard fashion to meet the needs and character of society over the ages. For instance, trusts developed in medieval times to protect the interests of absent landowners during the crusades and joint stock companies evolved to provide capital for expensive and risky voyages in the age of exploration. Changes in society’s power structures have also driven development of forms. The paper notes how power and wealth passed from the church, to Crown and aristocracy, to merchants, to industrialists and, ultimately, to the population at large and how this was reflected in certain forms of business, from monasteries to multinational corporations. While forms of business have changed over the ages, many of the underlying concerns for government and for enterprise endure. For instance, in 1776, decades before the advent of the modern limited liability company, Adam Smith identified concerns arising where management is separated from ownership. Much current debate about executive pay, shareholder rights and corporate governance stems from this. The concerns may apply similarly to other forms of business with diffuse ownership such as large mutual societies or the state. The role of the state is itself a matter of general ongoing interest in relation to forms of business.
    [Show full text]
  • “This Magnificent African Cake…”* Conquest and Partition
    “This Magnificent African Cake…”* Conquest and Partition *metaphor attributed to King Leopold II during the 1984-5 Berlin Conference, reference being to the partitioning of the continent between the various European powers. ConquestConquest andand PartitionPartition Themes: - The nature of the ‘scramble’ - Issues of Conquest - Resistance and Co-operation - How to Govern? - Constructing the Knowledge of Colonialism TheThe ‘‘ScrambleScramble’’ No single moment or movement: - brought to a head by French-British competition, played out in Egypt-Sudan: Fashoda (1880s, 1896) - ‘A place in the sun’: Germany entered the game - Berlin Conference 1984-5: established ‘rules of the game’ to claim Africa – must have ‘foothold’ (settlement, treaty) PrePre--cursorscursors ofof thethe Scramble:Scramble: South Africa: ‘Mineral Revolution’ shaped by Diamonds and Gold - Dutch established way station Capetown 17th century - settlers joined by Germans, French: “Afrikaners” or “Boers” - British ‘won’ Cape Colony 1805/6 Napoleonic Wars - moved inland annexing territory including Natal, Lesotho SouthSouth AfricaAfrica (cont.)(cont.) The 19th Century: • saw British colonization of the Cape and the Eastern frontier regions SouthSouth AfricaAfrica (cont.)(cont.) - Boers trekked north to settle on both sides of Vaal and Orange rivers (established independent Republics by mid-century) -Same era as Zulu ‘mfecane’, drove many other groups into the interior (e.g., the Ndebele who established Matebeleland) - led to competition over land, resources SouthSouth AfricaAfrica (cont.)(cont.) - Diamonds discovered Kimberly, 1867 - Gold at Johannesburg, 1886 -Both needed: - external labour (poor Europeans and Africans) - foreign capital investment - Both lay in Boer territories SouthSouth AfricaAfrica andand RhodesRhodes Cecil Rhodes: - made initial fortunes in Kimberly Diamonds and established monopoly of De Beers Co.
    [Show full text]