Bulawayo

Bulawayo is a major urban center located in the western part of Zimbabwe.

It serves as the largest city within the Matabeleland region. It is also the second largest city in the entire country. The city sits along the Matsheumhlope River. It is one of only two cities in Zimbabwe that also function as provinces. The population of the city is a subject of debate. The 2022 census recorded 665,940 residents. However, the Bulawayo City Council claimed the population was about 1.2 million.

The city's history began around 1840 with the Ndebele people. A group led by Gundwane Ndiweni established a settlement called Gibixhegu. This was the royal kraal of King Mzilikazi. His son, Lobengula, succeeded him in the 1860s. Lobengula renamed the settlement koBulawayo. The name comes from the Ndebele word *bulala*, meaning "the one to be killed." This name likely refers to a civil war during the city's formation. At that time, Mbiko ka Madlenya Masuku fought against Lobengula. Masuku did not believe Lobengula was the legitimate heir. This disagreement was partly due to Lobengula's Swazi mother.

European interest in the region grew during the 1860s. Many colonial powers wanted the strategic land near Bulawayo. Britain used the private initiative of Cecil Rhodes to gain influence. This happened through the British South Africa Company, or BSAC. During the First Matabele War in 1893, BSAC troops invaded the area. They detonated munitions and set fire to the town. King Lobengula was forced to evacuate his followers. On November 4, 1893, Leander Starr Jameson declared the area a BSAC settlement. Cecil Rhodes ordered the new town to be built on the ruins of the royal kraal.

The city faced a major siege during the Second Matabele War in 1896. Ndebele forces surrounded the town and besieged the settlers. Over 10,000 Ndebele warriors gathered near the settlement. The settlers created a laager, which is a defensive circle of vehicles or wagons. Nearly 1,000 women and children lived in this crowded area. To defend themselves, settlers formed the Bulawayo Field Force. This group included Frederick Selous and Frederick Russell Burnham. They conducted patrols to rescue settlers in the countryside. The siege ended in late May 1896 when relief forces arrived.

Bulawayo became an industrial powerhouse after the Second World War. It is often called the "City of Kings." It is also known by the Ndebele phrase *kontuthu ziyathunqa*. This translates to "smoke arising." This nickname refers to the smoke from the city's large coal-powered electricity plant. The city's factories produce many goods. These include cars, textiles, furniture, and food products. Bulawayo is also the hub of the national rail network. It serves as the headquarters for the National Railways of Zimbabwe.

The city's geography helped its early development. Bulawayo sits at an elevation of 1,200 meters. This high altitude meant the area was malaria-free. During the 1940s, the Royal Air Force used this terrain for training. They built three stations: RAF Heany, RAF Kumalo, and RAF Induna. The terrain was also very flat. This made it ideal for landing grounds and bombing ranges. The central business district features very wide roads. These were originally designed to allow ox-drawn carts to turn around easily.

Today, Bulawayo is a center for education and culture. It is home to over a dozen colleges and universities. The National University of Science and Technology is a notable institution. The city also hosts the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe.

Many people visit the nearby Matobo National Park. However, the city faces modern economic challenges. There has been a decline in heavy industry and infrastructure. Many educated workers have migrated to other countries. Despite these issues, the city works to preserve its heritage. It maintains its Victorian architecture and historical sites like Nesbitt Castle.