1. THE SOTHO - TSWANA PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE

A thread......

SeSotho & SeTswana are recognised as official languages in Zimbabwe. The Sotho-Tswana groups came to the Zimbabwe plateau with Mzilikazi. However, some were already here whilst others came later with the colonialists.

2. The first president of Zimbabwe (1980-1987)Rev. Canaan Banana was of Sotho origin.He was born at Esigodini in Matabeleland. He was also a Methodist minister & professor of religion. Banana means 'youth' in Sotho-Tswana languages & is not pronounced as 'banana' for a fruit.

3. Sotho communities are still found in Gwanda North&South, Bulilima, Mangwe,Beitbridge,Shashe, Muchuchuta,Masera,Siyoka, Kezi, Masema & Masvingo. The Sotho of Gwanda (Tsweta/Birwa) migrated to the Zimbabwe plateau before Mzilikazi.

4.Tswana communities are found in Bulilimamangwe districts & Mphoengs(between Ramakgoebana & Simukwe rivers). These communities are close to the Ramakgoebana border between Zimbabwe & Botswana.

5.The Sotho-Tswana groups who came with King Mzilikazi from South Africa & Botswana to the Zimbabwe plateau constituted the Enhla (Northern) group in the Ndebele state. Surnames like Mnkandla (baKgatla) & Mdlongwa (baTlokwa) are of Tswana origin.

6. Some of the BaSotho were brought to Rhodesia by missionaries who needed their assistance to establish churches in Masvingo.BaSotho evangelists & missionaries like Lucas Mokoele eventually established the vibrant Sotho communities currently found in Gutu, Zimuto & Bikita.

7. BaSotho were preferred by the missionaries because they were the first people to be converted to Christianity in the SADC region. Other BaSotho however, just accompanied the Pioneer Column & served as porters and guides etc Their descendants are still found accross Zimbabwe.

8.The Birwa & Pedi Sotho groups in Matabeleland migrated during Mfecane.Present day Kezi is a Ndebelelised version of the original name Kgetsi (a bag) which was given by baBirwa before the arrival of King Mzilikazi.

9. Historian Phathisa Nyathi argues that the Pedi & the Birwa Sotho groups were originally of Kalanga origin before they were Sothoised. An example of the Pedi who are present day Kalanga is the Khupe clan.

10. Upon arrival in the Zimbabwe plateau the Pedi reconnected with their Kalanga heritage & were absorbed in the Kalanga communities.The Birwa however, retained the Sotho identity & language. King Mzilikazi later Ndebelelised these two groups.

11. SOURCES
-Familly farms, graves, and belonging: migrations and the politics of belonging among Basotho in colonial Zimbabwe:
Joseph Mujere
-The History and culture of the Babirwa people of Botswana, South Africa & Zimbabwe : Phathisa Nyathi