Land Of His Fathers (Poetry)
21st July 2025
LOBENGULA (1836 - 94) Was the last Matabele king (1870 - 93)
His kingdom was destroyed by the British
Born to position
he was duty-bound
to uphold his tribe’s
unique traditions
such burdens heavy —
the weight of that crown
and expectations
of his people — fear
he might let them down
should his wisdom fail
Keeping the respect
and loyalty of
the royal household
satisfying wives
to produce his heirs
Revered as a god
Fate proved him mortal
weakened by disease
brought by explorers
come searching for gold
By theft or treaty
the king’s dispossessed
his heritage gone
now even the land’s
forgotten his name
His kingdom was destroyed by the British
Born to position
he was duty-bound
to uphold his tribe’s
unique traditions
such burdens heavy —
the weight of that crown
and expectations
of his people — fear
he might let them down
should his wisdom fail
Keeping the respect
and loyalty of
the royal household
satisfying wives
to produce his heirs
Revered as a god
Fate proved him mortal
weakened by disease
brought by explorers
come searching for gold
By theft or treaty
the king’s dispossessed
his heritage gone
now even the land’s
forgotten his name