Matabeleland Matabeleland Western portion of Zimbabwe between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, inhabited by the Ndebele people. Topography Much of the surface consists of rich plains traversed from southwest to northeast by the Motopo and Izimunte Mountains, and drained by tributaries of the Zambezi, Lundi, and Limpopo rivers. Rural economy Cereals, cotton, sugar, maize, and citrus fruits are grown, and there are large tracts of forest.
Extensive cattle rearing is carried out.
The region was named Matabeleland because it was occupied by the Ndebele, an offshoot of the Nguni people of Natal, who, under Mzilikazi, were driven across the Limpopo by the Boers in about 1837. From The Hutchinson Family Encyclopedia . All rights reserved.