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Liberty Dube and Lloyd Makonya
RIGHT by the entrance gates to Mutare’s Magistrates’ Court and adjacent to Mutare Central Police Station stands a national monument unknown to most residents of the beautiful city.
The Settler Tree was planted by Don Luiz Philippe, Duke of Braganza and Crown Prince of Portugal in August 1907 when he carried out a State tour of Portuguese and British territories in South Africa, including a very brief visit to the then Rhodesia.
Born on March 21, 1887 in Belem Palace Lisbon, Luis Philippe was the eldest son of Carlos, Prince Royal of Portugal, later to become King Carlos I of Portugal and Princess Amelie d’Orleans, a member of the House of Braganza.
Two years after his birth, Don Luiz Philippe inherited all his father’s royal princely titles when his father became king.
He was re-styled Prince Royal and at the same time the Dukedom of Braganza.
In 1907, the Prince Royal acted as a regent of the kingdom while his father was outside the country.
In the same year, he made the visit to the Portuguese colonies in Africa, becoming the first member of the royal family to visit them.
From Portugal, he travelled by sea in the steamer ‘Africa’ chartered for the purpose. He arrived at Beira, Mozambique, during the afternoon of 11th August 1907.
Accompanied by Captain Ornelas, the Minister for the Colonies, Major Andrade, Governor General of Mozambique and Captain Basto the Governor of Beira, they travelled in a special train on the morning of August 12, 1907 to Umtali (now Mutare).
They pulled in the Umtali Railway Station in the afternoon of the same day to a princely welcome by the Acting Administrator of Southern Rhodesia, Sir Thomas Scanlen, Members of the Executive Council and heads of various government departments who had travelled from Salisbury (now Harare) by train the previous night.
After inspecting the Guard of Honour, the Prince rode through the brightly decorated streets of Umtali to the court house where he planted a tree in front of the building.
A plaque was paced before the tree bearing the legend: His Royal Highness Don Luiz Felipe Duke of Bragzanza and crown prince of Portugal planted this tree on the 12th of August 1907 to mark the occasion of his visit to Umtali.
Over the years, the tree has continued to regenerate itself and stands to this day by the gates of the courthouse.
It was declared a national monument in 1971 on the recommendation of the then Commission for the Preservation of Natural and Historical Monuments and Relics.
Today, the tree, the plaque and the Magistrates’ Court are still there, but much else has changed since that day, with Southern Rhodesia becoming Zimbabwe, Umtali becoming Mutare and Salisbury becoming Harare.
The botanical name of the tree has also changed from Rauvolfia inebrians to Rauvolfia caffra and lastly, Mozambique is no longer Portuguese territory after gaining her independence in 1975.
The Rauvolfia or Quinine Tree is referred to as the Musingwiswi, Mutiwamakaka, Dzurungu or Muzurungwi Tree in Shona.
The tree species is widespread along river banks at medium altitudes and also in the evergreen forests of the Eastern Highlands.
Among the local people, the tree is also known for its therapeutic qualities and is known to treat various disorders related to the central nervous system, cardiovascular diseases and as an antidote.
After the tree planting ceremony at the courthouse, the party left on horseback, carts and motors for the top of Christmas Pass, and admired the beautiful surrounding scenery.
An evening banquet was held in the prince’s honour after which he left Umtali for Beira and was seen off by a 10 war rockets shot as a sign of respect.
Six months later after the visit to Umtali, on February 1, 1908, the Crown Prince and his father, King Carlos, were assassinated while riding in an open carriage in Lisbon.
Manuel II survived the attack and succeeded to the throne but only held it until October 5, 1910 when he was overthrown by the military and the Portuguese Republic was born.
Online Reporter