Salisbury, Rhodesia, is founded.

The birth of a city is an event that carries profound historical importance. Such is the case for Salisbury, Rhodesia, a city founded on 9th September 1890 that would later become the contemporary capital city of Zimbabwe, Harare. This article brings into the spotlight the captivating narrative surrounding the inception of Salisbury, Rhodesia, and its subsequent path towards modernization.

In the grand scheme of African history, 9th September 1890 is an epochal date marking the official establishment of Salisbury, Rhodesia. This event appended a significant chapter to the story of the African Continent, more specifically in the southern region, notoriously known today as Zimbabwe.

The endeavor to construct Salisbury was the brainchild of Cecil Rhodes, whose name was carved into history – quite literally – in the form of the country term ‘Rhodesia’. Rhodes, an entrepreneur at heart and the co-founder of De Beers, a diamond company that once monopolized the global diamond trade, harbored a grand vision for the African land. Envisioning a modern, economic powerhouse in the heart of Africa, Rhodes mobilized resources to set the basis for what would become Salisbury.

Set within the veld region of Southern Rhodesia, the city of Salisbury was designed intentionally to serve economic exploitation. Ranging from its strategic location, nestled between South Africa and the resource-rich North, to its intricate architectural planning – Rhodes’ Salisbury was a carefully crafted project central to his African dreams.

However, the founding of Salisbury, Rhodesia, was not just the fruit of an entrepreneurial vision. It also marks one of the most visible manifestations of European colonialism in the African continent. Back in 1890, Rhodesia, including Salisbury, was under the control of the British South Africa Company (BSAC), a private corporation with its aims set on the exploitation of mineral wealth in Southern Africa.

Understanding the complexities of the founding of Salisbury, Rhodesia, would be incomplete without delving into the happenings of 9th September 1890. On this day, Rhodes and his retinue – comprising of around 200 pioneers, arrived in the region with the grand intent of building a city. The pioneers group was bonded with an overwhelming sense of camaraderie, the spirit of an entrepreneur – a mindset that allowed them to overcome the hurdles they faced throughout their journey and turn Salisbury into a physical embodiment of their shared dreams, ambitions, and hard work.

Over the years, Salisbury evolved rapidly, transforming into a cosmopolitan city and the economic engine of the Rhodesia region. Its economy thrived, owing largely to the natural resources available in the surrounding region. The city was also the political heart of Rhodesia, serving as the colonial capital until the nation achieved independence in 1980. At that point, Salisbury was renamed Harare, and it continues to serve as Zimbabwe’s capital today.

In retrospect, the founding of Salisbury, Rhodesia, on 9th September 1890, is an event of paramount significance, not only in the African historical narrative but also in the larger context of the world. Celebrating the entrepreneurial mettle of the pioneers while simultaneously acknowledging the dark history of colonialism it signifies, this date offers a nuanced insight into the dynamics that have emerged over the history of Southern Africa.

Reflecting on the founding of Salisbury, Rhodesia, on 9th September 1890, one can honour the event as a milestone in the city’s journey towards developing into a modern, global city. However, it’s crucial to bear in mind the impact of colonialism, an element inherently tied to the city’s foundation, which stresses the importance of carving a future based on equality and justice.

Indeed, the narrative of Salisbury, Rhodesia’s founding is complex and thought-provoking, one that invites us to reflect not just on milestones, but also the process, the events, and the people who shape history. In sum, the founding of Salisbury, Rhodesia, on 9th September 1890, is a historical event that continues to echo through the annals of time – a testament to the city’s fascinating legacy and its prospects for future growth.