Battle of Bembezi
Near the Bembezi River, north of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
What happened
Columns of the British South Africa Company under Patrick Forbes fought the army of the Ndebele kingdom of Mthwakazi under King Lobengula. In 1888 Lobengula had signed the Rudd Concession, giving mining rights to British businessmen, but he later protested that he had been tricked about its terms. In 1893 the company's columns marched toward his capital, Bulawayo. On 1 November a large Ndebele force attacked their camp near the Bembezi River, but the company's machine guns drove it back.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the company's most decisive win in the First Matabele War. Three days later its columns occupied Bulawayo.
What came next
Lobengula left his capital and died in early 1894, his death kept secret for months. The company took control of Matabeleland.
Did you know?
Both Ndebele and Matabele mean 'the men of the long shields', after the shields carried by the kingdom's warriors.
Timeline
- 30 October 1888The Rudd Concession is signed.
- 23 April 1889Lobengula protests to Queen Victoria.
- 1 November 1893The company wins at Bembezi.
- 4 November 1893Company columns occupy Bulawayo.