By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru, Princess of Harare
The ongoing debate surrounding the true lineage and authority in the history of Harare and the surrounding areas demands clarity, not conjecture. As the historical record is meticulously examined, it becomes undeniable that the established narratives, often skewed by colonial perspectives, must be corrected. The evidence presented in the historical documents of the colonial era provides an incontrovertible factual basis for asserting that Hwata and Gutsa were simple subjects, not royalty, while simultaneously revealing the fierce, independent spirit of the true Mbari kings, specifically the figure known in battle as Makombe, who was in fact the royal Gurundoro. In documents written by Britih his name is misspelt as ” Makombi”
The 1898 Trial of Charwe: A Testimony of Status
The 1898 trial of the spirit medium Nehanda, Charwe, stands as a critical, unassailable source of evidence regarding the social hierarchy of the time. The High Court papers clearly cite Gutsa, Hwata, and Zindoga as witnesses. Their roles, as recorded in these formal legal documents, speak volumes: Gutsa and Hwata are documented as hunters, and Zindoga as a Teaboy.
This testimony is conclusive. In a trial of such monumental significance, involving one of the central figures of the First Chimurenga, if Hwata or Gutsa held any legitimate title of chieftaincy, it would have been officially recorded. Colonial administrations, for all their faults, were meticulous in documenting the titles of local rulers they either sought to control or, in the case of witnesses, to recognize formally.
The lack of any chieftaincy designation for Hwata or Gutsa in the High Court papers is solid proof that they were not chiefs at all. These men were subjects who served as witnesses, a designation entirely distinct from the royalty whose authority they later sought to claim. This factual basis, embedded in the very legal framework of the time, is the foundation upon which the true Mbari history must be asserted. It is imperative that those responsible follow up on this official documentation and argue on this basis.
The Makombe Battles: Gurundoro’s Fight for Mbari Territory
The colonial documents, while failing to correctly identify the royal lineage, inadvertently confirm the Mbari king’s dominance and resistance. The legendary figure known as Makombe, who the Mbari people know was the royal Gurundoro, fought a series of brutal battles against the invading settlers.
The very fact that the white settlers continuously engaged with a powerful, unified resistance figure named ‘Makombe’ in the area around Harare, proves that this territory was under the command of an independent and forceful ruler, who was not the fabricated ‘chiefs’ later put forward by the colonial structure.
Key Engagements Presented in the Records:
June 1896 Attacks: Makombe initiated attacks on settlers like William Steele James and Luise Herman, marking a clear challenge to colonial encroachment.
28 July 1896 Battle: In this significant clash, William Harvey Brown, a brave settler soldier from the Salisbury Field Force (SFF) whose name now graces a road in Milton Park was injured by Makombe’s forces, a testament to the ferocity of the Mbari resistance.
1 March 1897 Final Stand: The final major engagement against Makombe required significant reinforcements from South Africa, possibly led by Colonel Biel, highlighting the major military effort required to subdue the Mbari forces.
The settlers, in their ignorance (varungu nekusaziva), may not have recorded “Mbari territory,” but their repeated military engagements with “Makombe” confirm they were facing the legitimate, powerful leader of that land Gurundoro. This historical continuity must be forcefully asserted to complete the historical record.
The Greed, Betrayal, and Selfishness of Hwata
The subsequent elevation of figures like Hwata, who were merely recorded as a hunter in official papers, into a “chiefly” role, shines a harsh light on the themes of greed, betrayal, and selfishness that plagued the post-Chimurenga era.
The colonial strategy was simple: defeat the powerful, legitimate ruler (Gurundoro /Makombe) and then install a compliant, weaker puppet (Hwata) who would owe his false authority entirely to the settlers.
Betrayal of the People: Hwata’s acceptance of a title derived from the very forces that killed the true royal leader and usurped the land represents a profound betrayal of the Mbari people and the spirit of resistance embodied by Charwe and Makombe.
Greed for False Authority: The willingness of Hwata and Gutsa to step into the vacuum left by the legitimate king for the sake of colonial favour and a borrowed title exemplifies profound greed for authority. They chose collaboration over solidarity, sacrificing their people’s true history for personal, temporary gain.
Selfishness in Historical Erasure: By allowing themselves to be recorded as the legitimate authority, these individuals contributed directly to the selfish erasure of the royal Mbari history. Their actions ensured that future generations would struggle to “own their history” because the narrative was deliberately corrupted at its source. Professor Zaranyika a descendant of Hwata also gave false information to British writers like Beach who distorted the history in his writings.
This whole scenario requires Zimbabweans , historians, academics to follow up on the historical documents. The facts are clear: the court records expose the truth of the low social status of Hwata clan, while the battle records confirm the authority of the true Mbari king, Gurundoro. The time is now to use this hard evidence to correct the historical record and reclaim the rightful legacy of the Forgotten Kings of Zimbabwe.
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