Bulawayo history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Bulawayo is inextricably linked to the royal dynasty of the Ndebele people. The city was founded around 1870 by King Lobengula as his personal residence and capital (kraal). The name of the city, translated from the Sindebele language, means "Place of the Persecuted" or "Place of Slaughter," which, according to historians, reflected the complex political struggle the king faced upon ascending the throne. The modern phase of the city's history began in 1893–1894, when European settlers established a new settlement on the site of the burned royal headquarters, which quickly received official status.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation from a traditional African capital into a major colonial and subsequently modern centre in Zimbabwe was driven by several important circumstances:

• Strategic Geography: The city is situated on the high Matabeleland plateau. This location was not chosen by chance: the elevation provided protection, a good vantage point, and a more favourable, cooler climate free from many tropical diseases.
• Political Continuity: The choice of location for building the colonial city directly on the ruins of Lobengula's capital held symbolic significance, asserting new authority in the region's already established administrative centre.
• Resource Base: A crucial driver of growth was geological exploration, which revealed prospects for mining in the vicinity, attracting a flow of investment and settlers.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the late 19th century, the region's economy underwent a sharp transition from a traditional agrarian lifestyle to an industrial one. While wealth was initially measured by the number of cattle, with the arrival of the railway and the opening of trade routes, priorities shifted towards mining and commerce. The cultural landscape of the early city formed at the intersection of Ndebele traditions and Victorian order, which was reflected even in the layout: the famous wide streets were designed specifically to allow the turning of cumbersome ox wagons used for transporting goods.

Key Dates in the History of Bulawayo

• Around 1840 — King Mzilikazi of the Ndebele people establishes the first kraal (settlement) in this area.
• 1870 — King Lobengula, successor to Mzilikazi, moves his capital to a place that receives the name "Bulawayo".
• 1881 — King Lobengula burns his residence and moves the capital to a new site, where the State House is currently located.
• November 4, 1893 — Following clashes with the British South Africa Company and the departure of King Lobengula, European settlers found the modern city of Bulawayo on the site of his burned capital.
• 1894 — The town officially receives settlement status, and its planning begins with characteristic wide streets.
• 1897 — The railway reaches Bulawayo, connecting it to Cape Town and turning the city into the region's most important transport and industrial hub.
• 1901 — The National Museum of Zimbabwe is founded, which today is one of the largest and most significant in Southern Africa.
• 1943 — Bulawayo is granted city status.
• 1960 — The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) opens; it is held annually in Bulawayo and has become the country's main commercial event.
• 1972 — The Railway Museum opens, dedicated to the history of the development of rail transport in the country.
• 1980 — After Zimbabwe gains independence, the city retains its status as the second-largest city and the main industrial centre of the country.

The development of the city proceeded at a rapid pace, transforming it from a royal headquarters into a modern metropolis. Below are the key stages that defined the economic and cultural appearance of Bulawayo.

• The Railway Revolution (1897)
  The arrival of the first train was a turning point in the region's history. The city became the headquarters of the national railway network and a major transport hub connecting Zimbabwe with South Africa and Botswana. This provided a logistical advantage for resource exports and trade development.
• Industrialization and the Status of "The Manchester of Zimbabwe"
  In the first half of the 20th century, a powerful industrial cluster formed here. The opening of factories for textiles, tires, construction materials, and metalworking cemented the city's title as the industrial heart of the country, providing jobs for thousands of residents.
• Unique Urban Planning
  The implementation of a grid of exceptionally wide streets, originally calculated for the turning of a team of 16 oxen, became the city's calling card. This far-sighted decision allowed the centre to maintain a spacious appearance and avoid traffic congestion even with the growth of motorization.
• Launch of the International Trade Fair (ZITF, 1960)
  The establishment of the annual fair turned the city into the country's main exhibition centre. This event attracts investors and business people from all over the world every year, stimulating the development of the service and hospitality sectors.
• Formation of the Museum and Cultural Landscape
  The creation of one of the largest museums in the Southern Hemisphere — the Natural History Museum — as well as the specialized Railway Museum, secured the city's status as a cultural capital attracting researchers and tourists.
• Creation of a Scientific and Educational Cluster (1991)
  The founding of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) marked a transition from a purely manufacturing economy to the development of innovation, making the city a centre of attraction for student youth.

The architectural appearance of Bulawayo is a unique blend of colonial heritage and African distinctiveness. The city, planned from scratch in the late 19th century, still retains its original structure with characteristic wide streets and a rectangular grid of blocks. This urban planning feature was dictated by practical considerations: according to legend, the streets had to be wide enough to turn a wagon drawn by sixteen oxen.

Colonial Era: Victorian and Edwardian Styles

The foundation of Bulawayo's historic centre consists of buildings constructed at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. During this period, Victorian and Edwardian architectural styles, brought by European settlers, dominated. These structures are distinguished by monumentality, the use of red brick, wrought-iron balconies, verandas with awnings, and decorative facades. Many of these buildings are still used as administrative, commercial, and residential facilities, creating an atmosphere of old Europe in the heart of Africa.

• City Hall — A classic example of colonial architecture and one of the symbols of the city.
• High Court — A majestic building with a dome that closes the perspective of one of the central streets, demonstrating the imperial scale of that time.
• Railway Station — Not just a transport hub, but a historical monument preserving the architectural features of its era and reminding of the key role of the railway in the city's development.

Influence of Modernism and Modernity

Although colonial heritage is dominant, examples of other architectural trends can be found in Bulawayo. In the mid-20th century, especially after receiving city status in 1943, buildings in the modernist style began to appear here, characterized by simpler forms, functionality, and a lack of excessive decoration. In the post-colonial period, the city continued to develop, and modern office and residential buildings were erected alongside historic structures. This contrast between the old and the new forms an eclectic yet harmonious look for modern Bulawayo, where historical heritage is carefully preserved and fits into the dynamic rhythm of life in Zimbabwe's second-largest city.

Lobengula Khumalo

Lobengula was the second and last king of the Ndebele people, ruling from 1870 to 1894. His capital, known as the "Royal Kraal," was located on the site where modern Bulawayo stands today. He is a key historical figure of the pre-colonial period, whose reign marked the final stage of the independence of the Matabeleland kingdom before its capture by the forces of the British South Africa Company. In 1881, Lobengula ordered his capital to be burned and moved it, but it was on this very site that the new city was founded.

Joshua Nkomo

Joshua Nkomo, known as "Father Zimbabwe," was one of the leading figures in the country's national liberation movement. He founded and led the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU). Starting as a trade unionist on the railways in Bulawayo, he began his political career in this city, which became his main political base for many years. After independence, he served as Vice President of Zimbabwe. A statue has been erected in his honour in Bulawayo, and a street and the international airport bear his name.

Yvonne Vera

Yvonne Vera (1964–2005) was an internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean writer born and raised in Bulawayo. In her poetic and profound novels, such as "Butterfly Burning" and "The Stone Virgins," she explored the complex history of Zimbabwe, often setting the action in Bulawayo. Her works received numerous international awards, including the Commonwealth Writers' Prize. For a long time, she served as the director of the National Gallery in Bulawayo, making a significant contribution to the city's cultural life.

Cont Mhlanga

Cont Mhlanga (1958–2022) was a prominent playwright, director, and cultural activist who had a huge influence on the Zimbabwean theatre scene. In 1982, he founded the legendary Amakhosi Theatre Productions company in Bulawayo, which evolved from a youth karate club into a professional theatre. His works, often touching on acute social and political themes, brought him international recognition. Mhlanga also played a key role in establishing the city's first commercial radio station, SkyzMetro FM.

Heath Streak

Heath Streak (1974–2023) was one of the greatest cricketers in Zimbabwe's history, born and raised in Bulawayo. As captain of the national team, he set numerous records and remains the leader in the number of wickets taken in both Test matches and One Day Internationals for Zimbabwe. Streak was considered an icon of the "golden age" of Zimbabwean cricket and made a significant contribution to the development of sports in his hometown by founding his own cricket academy.

Charlene, Princess of Monaco

Princess Charlene of Monaco (née Charlene Wittstock) was born in Bulawayo on January 25, 1978. In her childhood, she moved with her family to South Africa, where she became a professional swimmer and represented the country at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. In 2011, she married Prince Albert II of Monaco. Princess Charlene is actively involved in charity work, paying special attention to children's and sports initiatives through her foundation.

NoViolet Bulawayo

NoViolet Bulawayo is the pen name of the contemporary Zimbabwean writer Elizabeth Tshele, who was born in 1981 and grew up in Bulawayo. She adopted the name of her hometown as part of her pseudonym as a sign of respect for her roots. Her debut novel "We Need New Names," which tells of childhood in Zimbabwe and the life of immigrants, received international acclaim and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Her second novel, "Glory," was also shortlisted for the Booker Prize.