he causes for the Matabele Rebellion of 1896 were complex: accustomed to terrorizing neighbouring tribes, the Matabele found it difficult to settle dawn with the organized communities of white traders, farmers and miners which were growing up in Rhodesia; a severe outbreak of rinderpest decimated their herds early in 1896 and the Africans were antagonized by the further slaughter of infected animals; they had not laid down their arms after the defeats of 1893 and the absence of many able-bodied white men who had left Rhodesia to join the Jameson Raid provided the Matabele with the opportunity to rise and murder more than 130 white men, women and children during March 1896. Three months later the Mashona joined them in rebellion.

fter months of fighting, Mr. Rhodes persuaded the Matabele indunas to discuss peace terms with him. On 21 August 1896 he rode out to meet the chiefs in the Matopo Hills, accompanied by Johann Colenbrander, Dr. Hans Saver, the journalist Vere Stent and Grootboom. At the appointed meeting-place Mr. Rhodes and his companions dismounted and seated themselves on a large anthill. Mr. Rhodes was in high spirits as the Matabele approached and Vere Stent heard him murmuring, "This is very exciting . . . This is one of the moments in life that make it worth living". There followed several hours of discussion after which the chief Matabele spokesman declared to Mr. Rhodes, "It is peace, you have our word. Once the Matabele declares peace it is so and there is no war. We are the nation. We have submitted to you our father and great chief. Only remain in the country to look after us".

hree more indabas were held before the final terms were agreed to. This panel illustrates the second indaba which was held below Usher’s Kop on the fringe of the Matopos. On this occasion Mr. Rhodes had asked two ladies to accompany him to demonstrate his confidence in the Matabele. The younger warriors turned out to be openly hostile, but Mr. Rhodes again evidenced his courage by dismounting, pushing his way into the crowd and scolding them for their behaviour, and he insisted on their putting down their arms. Only then did he seat himself among the Matabele to continue the negotiations.