Online Reporter
Mzala Tom
In the last thread we established that after the defeat of King Lobhengula in 1893-4 the territories under Cecil John Rhodes became known as Zambesia. Southern Rhodesia was later created in 1923.
Many clans, chieftaincies and kingdoms were affected by the creation of the borders. By the stroke of a pen they woke up in different ‘countries’. The countries sharing borders with Zimbabwe are Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa.
Zambia Border: The border with Zambia separated the Tonga people who were only divided by the Zambezi River from the Tonga in Zambia. The construction of the Kariba dam in 1959 further cut off the Tonga in Zambia from those in Zimbabwe. Both territories were under the Rhodes.
Bostwana Border: This border separated the Kalanga and Tswana/BaBirwa in Zimbabwe from their relatives who are across the border in Botswana. The border was settled by the British who controlled both territories.
South African Border: This border separated the Venda people in south eastern Zimbabwe from their people in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The border was established at the London Convention of 1884.
Mozambique Border: This border separated the Manyika people in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe from their relatives who are now across in Mozambique. The final border was settled between the British and the Portuguese.
Border citizens are found across Africa. They defy national borders and continue to cross the borders informally. They interact with their clans across the borders for family gatherings, clan rituals or spiritual pilgrimages to religious shrines.
