Every Man Has His Price The Story of Collusion and Corruption in the Scramble for Rhodesia

by Laurie, Charles

• ISBN13: 9780761839552
• ISBN10: 0761839550
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-04-28
• Publisher: UPA

Summary

This book sheds light on the early colonial period of Zimbabwe when many of the current land disputes originated. In particular, the book examines the Rudd Concession, the seminal southern African land and mineral agreement signed in 1888 by Cecil Rhodes and Lobengula, King of the Matabele. The Concession was not merely a land agreement, but also legal transfer of all political and economic control of the entire Matabele kingdom to Cecil Rhodes and the British. Why would Lobengula sign such a seemingly disastrous agreement? The question is fundamental to an examination of the Rudd Concession and to understand Zimbabwe's fierce conflicts today. Moreover, this question underscores the historical nature of many post-colonial dilemmas throughout Africa. This book looks to understand from a late nineteenth century perspective why Rhodes sought the agreement, and more interestingly why Lobengula ever signed it. It also discusses the essential similarities between 19th century colonialism and African capitalism today, illustrating significant implications for contemporary relations between the developed and developing world.

Author Biography

Charles Laurie is a social scientist currently undertaking research at the University of Oxford on the land seizure era in Zimbabwe.

Table of Contents

List of Figures and Tables	p. v
Preface	p. vii
The Charge for Africa	p. 1
A Brief History of South Africa	p. 9
The Zulu Clan: The People of the Heavens	p. 11
The Matabele: Rising Hegemony of Zimbabwe	p. 15
The British Interest in Southern Africa	p. 17
Cecil Rhodes	p. 21
Changing Banners of Colonialism	p. 24
Looking North	p. 26
The Fly and the Chameleon	p. 33
Moral Strategy for Overcoming Lobengula	p. 33
Overthrow of the "Tyrant"	p. 34
Rhodes' Royal Charter	p. 35
Lobengula's Dilemma	p. 37
Power and Confidence of the People	p. 40
The Rudd Concession Players	p. 42
Days before the Signing	p. 47
Signatories and the End of Kingdom	p. 51
Understanding the Terms	p. 51
Justification for the Enterprise	p. 53
What Did Rhodes and Lobengula Get Out of the Agreement?	p. 54
The Aftermath	p. 55
Victoria Incident	p. 70
First Matabele War	p. 76
An Examination of the Rudd Concession	p. 82
A Transcript of the Agreement	p. 82
Reverend Helm's Endorsement of the Concession	p. 83
Document-Level Relevance	p. 83
Purpose of the Agreement according to Rhodes	p. 85
How the British Interpreted the Concession	p. 89
Lobengula's Interpretation	p. 103
Language and the Monopoly of Knowledge	p. 107
Role of the Missionaries	p. 108
Conclusion to the Analysis	p. 109
Conclusion	p. 111
Bibliography	p. 117
Index	p. 119
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