Puiu National Monument and Pupu Clinic commissioned
His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened the Pupu National Monument and Pupu Clinic in Lupane, Matabeleland North Province. Government has reconfigured the Shangani (Pupu) Monument, a place where King Lobengula’s Imbizo Regiment led by General Mtshana Khumalo, killed settler forces’ commander Major Allan Wilson and his fighters on 4 December 1893, to represent the whole story. In telling the story of the Battle of Pupu, the colonialists intentionally snubbed the Ndebele perspective. Unlike in the past, when the settler government portrayed Major Wilson and his forces as the heroes, the monument is now justifying the victors in that particular battle. The exhibitions at the monument show Ndebeles resisting colonial forces manifesting in the battle at Bonko by the Shangani River and at Gadade in Mbembesi. The exhibition also relives the burning of King Lobengula’s Royal capital at Emahlabathini. The displays also shows the pursuit of the King by the pioneers. A force of 34 men, later known as Shangani Patrol, was assembled to pursue and capture the King Pupu Monument, which is located on the outskirts of Lupane, the provincial capital of Matabeleland North Province. The province played a critical role in the liberation of Zimbabwe as the cradle of bold anti-colonial resistance in both the First and Second Umvukela/Chimurenga, which led to Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980. Gen Khumalo, the commander of the elite group of fighters was tasked to protect King Lobengula’s life and dignity as he trekked north. The Wilson patrol that had crossed the Shangani River was wiped out at what has now come to be remembered as Pupu. Despite their superior weaponry comprising Maxim guns and cannons, Maj Wilson and his forces were killed by King Lobengula’s brave warriors. The epic battle that was fought on the shores of the Shangani River, symbolises the beginning of a protracted resistance against settler colonial regime. Pupu Clinic was built by the Lotteries and Gambling Board. It has two cottages, one which was built through Devolution Funds, and the other cottage was also built by the Lotteries and Gambling Board. The current President of the National Chiefs Council, Chief Mtshane Khumalo is the grandson of General Mtshane Khumalo who was the commander of King Lobengula’s Imbizo Regiment that killed Major Allan Wilson and his fighters on 4 December 1893.
