The Battle Of Pupu: A Testament Of True Heroism

By Ndaba Sibanda

To define heroes is to determine their defining times and deeds.
For, the works and legacies of real heroes speak for themselves.
They speak the language of valor, values, honor and historiography.
Dear readers, let us stride forward and thrust aside colonial biases,
let us ululate, stimulate and accumulate our spears and wind back 131
years and feel and face the roars, rages and ruses of machine guns
in a fearless and selfless fashion for the sake of this beloved land.

In 1890 the colonial forces seized or occupied Mashonaland. They set
their eyes on overriding King Lobengula’s gold-rich Ndebele Kingdom.
However, on December 4, 1893 in Lupane at the Battle of Pupu,
they got more than what they had bargained for. The brave Ndebeles
had other ideas. They fiercely resisted the raid in a momentous moment
that marked a massive snub of colonialism and a show of valor and sacrifice.
It was massive and historic because the General Mtshana Khumalo-led
warriors rose to the occasion and routed Major Allan Wilson’s 34-strong
invading colonial army that had more perilous and sophisticated arsenal.
They barred the capture of the King in a battle whose legacy stirs and shines.