History of Zimbabwe – Country known as Rhodesia during & after colonial period got independence with lot of struggle

Early History and the Shona Empire

Harare, The Sunshine City, is the capital of Zimbabwe

The archeological excavations have revealed that the area bounded by Rivers Zambezi and Limpopo was the home to the humans about 100,000 years ago. During the period around 1000 AD a branch of Bantu people called Shona came to this area and founded their rule. They made Mapungubwe, a town on the bank of river Limpopo, as their political and commercial centre. Later the rulers built a city with stone houses called Zimbabwe. In local language ‘Zimbabwe’ literally means ‘stone houses’. By the middle of 13^th century the Shona Empire spread to comprise the area what is now known as Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

In the 15th century, two other kingdoms, one to the south at Khami (Bulawayo) and other in the north, near Mount Darwin also emerged which started exerting their influence over Shona Empire. The kingdom in the north was founded a ruler known as the Munhumutapa. This name was later adopted by all the successors of the king.

The Ndebele Empire

When the Portuguese came in the area they made their first contact with Shona Empire in 14^th century. During early 17^th century Shona Empire stated declining and ultimately was overwhelmed by the Ndebele, another branch of Bantu group. The Ndebele who were the cattle-herders quickly overpowered the agriculturist Shona and settled in the western part of the area whereas the eastern part remained with the Shona. A Ndebele chief, Mzilikazi established a powerful kingdom in the north of river Limpopo.

Although the Portuguese were the first Europeans to encounter with the local tribes and people, they were not able to create a lasting impression on the territory. It was only when the Europeans from South Africa came to the area that the complexion of the region changed altogether. In 1837 the Boers advanced towards north and pushed Ndebele out of the Transvaal and across the Limpopo River.

The Colonial Era

In the mean time the British South Africa Company had established itself as a formidable entity under the administrative control of Cecil Rhodes, a British merchant. The development in transportation system greatly helped in a rapid increase in the European population there. In 1888 Rhodes obtained the mineral rights from the Ndebele and used this concession for further expansion of the British colonial rule. By 1885 the railway had been extended from Cape Town to Kimberley which reached up to the Victoria Falls by 1904. In 1893 Rhodes finds an excuse to fight a war against Lobengula, and quickly overpowered him. Lobengula was forced to leave the area, thereby bringing an end to Ndebele Empire. The region was then named Rhodesia in 1895 in the honor of Cecil Rhodes. Another uprising against the British rule was easily put down in 1896-97 and the territory up to the Zambezi River came under effective control of Great Britain. In 1923 Southern Rhodesia became an autonomous British colony. It was merged in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1953 and remained as such till 1963.

The Racist Government and Independent

In 1964 the colony changed its name to Rhodesia and asked for an independent status from Great Britain. The request was accommodated on the condition that the local black population should be given complete political rights. The government of Ian Smith did not agree to it and declared independence unilaterally in 1965. This provoked the United Nations to impose economic sanctions against Rhodesia because of her racist policies in 1966.

As a reaction to the discriminatory policies of the white government the local population started a guerrilla war between 19671 and 1972. The infighting caused serious blows to the economy and investment in the country. The Smith government was compelled by the circumstances to allow the black role in politic. In 1979 the elections were held in which a black prime minister was elected. The guerrilla movement leaders including Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo did not accept the election results and committed to continue armed struggle.

Modern Zimbabwe

Robert Mugabe, The Iron Man of Zimbabwe

As a result of unrest, the elections were again held in 1980 in which all the political and guerrilla leaders were allowed to participate. Robert Mugabe won the elections and appointed as prime minister. The country was renamed as Zimbabwe and acquired fully independent status. Soon after this the rift between Mugabe and Nkomo started which turned into tribal rivalry. Mugabe was being supported by the Shona whereas the Ndebele put their weight behind Nkomo. As a measure of reconciliation Nkomo joined the government of Mugabe as a minister in 1988.

In 1990 Mugabe won the elections. He made a decision to confiscate the property of the white people without compensation. This decision proved fatal for the country’s economy. The unemployment rate soared to 50 % and foreign investments virtually froze. Despite pathetic situation of economy the local population probably got impressed with Mugabe’s anti-white policies and re-elected him to office in 1996 and 2000. In 2005 Mugabe launched an anti-crime campaign in Harare. A large number of dwellings were demolished and many were arrested. The opposition leaders blamed the government for political victimization on the pretext of fight against crime. In February 2009 leader of opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai was made prime minister under an agreement of power-sharing formula.

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