Matabeleland North and South

Matabaleland literally means the land of the Matabele. Matabele is a word derived from a Sotho verb “hotobela”which means to destroy, kill or ruin. The Ndebele were warriors who raided and destroyed various clans as they were building their state under King Mzilikazi, son of Matshobane and moving away from Nguniland and crossing over to Zimbabwe hence they coined the name omatabela.

Matabeleland North is a province in the west of Zimbabwe with seven districts. Its capital is Lupane with Victoria Falls and Hwange being its two largest towns. It was established in 1974. It is bordered by Bulawayo and Matabeleland South to the south, Mashonaland West to the north east, Botswana to the west and Zambia to the north. It has an arid climate because it is on the edge of the Kalahari basin. It’s mostly a rural area with agriculture dominating, as well as cattle ranching and tourism.

Districts are Tsholotsho, Binga, Bubi, Hwange, Lupane, Nkayi and Umguza.

Points of interest are Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls National Park, Hwange National Park, Elephant’s Walk Shopping and Artist’s Village, Victoria Snake Park, Crocodile Park Victoria Falls, Siduli Hide, Tami Walker Gallery, Lake Kariba, Zambezi River, Old Drift Lodge, Wild Horizons and Livingstone Island among others.

Matabeleland South is a province in south western Zimbabwe with six districts. Its capital is Gwanda and the provinces largest town is Beitbridge. It was also established in 1974. It is bordered by Bulawayo and Matabeleland North to the north, Midlands to the north east, Masvingo to the south east, South Africa to the south and Botswana to the west. It has an arid climate as it sits on the edge of the Kalahari Desert.

Districts are Beitbridge, Bulilima, Gwanda, Insiza, Mangwe, Matobo and Umzingwane.

Points of interest are Matobo National Park, Naletale Ruins, Cecil John Rhodes grave.