Part 4/10:
The narrative of Zimbabwe's decline is rooted deeply in its colonial past. In 1865, two Dutch settlers laid claim to a stretch of farmland, unaware that their legacy would intertwine with that of British mining magnate Cecil Rhodes, the founder of De Beers. The British South Africa Company (BSAC) invaded Mashonaland in 1889, displacing indigenous populations and exploiting the land for resources. While the soil was rich in diamonds and minerals, poor management led to an underwhelming yield, prompting the company to pivot to white settlement as a strategy for economic growth.