Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena, Zimpapers Reporter
ORGANISERS of the annual commemorations of the Battle of Gadade, Umhlahlo Wesizwe SikaMthwakazi, have confirmed that preparations for this year’s event, scheduled for Saturday, are progressing well.
The commemorations honour the lives of thousands of valiant Ndebele warriors who fought against Cecil John Rhodes’ British South Africa Company forces during the First Matabele War on November 1, 1893.
The revered Amabutho (soldiers) hailed from the Imbizo, Ameva, iSiziba, iHlathi, iNsukamini and Ingubo regiments. The battle took place at Gadade, now known as Mbembesi, situated 50km from Bulawayo along the Harare Road.
This year’s commemorations will be held at the Gadade Battlefield Memorial Site in Mbembesi.
Running under the theme “Honouring the brave, preserving our heritage”, the event calls for remembrance, pride and unity. It is a time to reflect on the courage of the brave sons of the soil who sought to protect the heritage that binds the nation.
Umhlahlo Wesizwe SikaMthwakazi’s Siphatho Ncube stated that preparations for the historic event are well underway, with only a few final details requiring attention.
“Our estimates suggest that we are expecting a turnout of between 4 000 to 5 000 attendees, and we are working tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the event is meticulously planned and executed. In terms of logistics, we are pleased to report that food arrangements are nearly sufficient, thanks to the generosity of our stakeholders.
“However, we still urgently require additional support to cover the shortfall for Isitshebo, a vital component of our traditional festivities. We call upon people from all walks of life to join us in these commemorations and help us showcase our resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to preserving our heritage,” said Mr Ncube.
The Battle of Gadade is regarded as one of the most brutal confrontations in Southern African military history.
Despite their immense bravery and numbers, the Ndebele regiments, led by Generals Mtshana Khumalo and Fusi Khanye, were decimated by the Maxim machine guns wielded by the white forces under Major Patrick Forbes and Captain, Allan Wilson.
Historical accounts estimate that around 6 000 Ndebele soldiers perished in the battle, which also claimed the lives of some white soldiers, whose graves remain in Mbembesi.
Following the devastating defeat, King Lobengula recognised that his capital, koBulawayo, was indefensible. He chose to burn it down and flee north — a symbolic act marking the collapse of the Ndebele Kingdom’s central authority and leaving a power vacuum.
After King Lobengula’s demise, the Ndebele people were relocated to designated reserves, losing their independence and becoming subject to colonial administration, land dispossession and economic exploitation.
