Robert Moffat, master missionary: his life and times

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Periodical article

Title:	Robert Moffat, master missionary: his life and times
Author:	Tanser, T.F.M.
Year:	2006
Periodical:	Heritage of Zimbabwe (ISSN 0556-9605)
Issue:	25
Pages:	99-118
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs., ills., maps
Geographic terms:	Botswana South Africa Zimbabwe Southern Africa
Subjects:	missions travel biographies (form) Biography, Obituaries Moffat, Robert, 1795-1883 Missionaries history biography
About persons:	Robert Moffat (1795-1883) Mosilikatse Ndebele Matebele chief (1790-1868)
Abstract:	This paper is a biography of Robert Moffat (1795-1883), a Scottish missionary who left for South Africa in 1817, in a period characterized by the depredations of Shaka, King of the Zulus. Moffat and his wife Mary settled in the Northern Cape, near the source of the Kuruman River. Here, Moffat learned the Bechuana language, translated the Bible into Sechwana and became friends for life with Mzilikazi, the Matabele king (in present-day Zimbabwe). Between 1829 and 1859, Moffat made five long journeys to Mzilikazi, which place him amongst the great travellers of southern Africa. His book 'Missionary labours and scenes in southern Africa' was published in 1843. In 1859, Mzilikazi gave permission for the missionaries to create a settlement on his land. For Robert Moffat, this was a triumphant conclusion to his 30-year relationship with the Matabele king. In 1870 Moffat retired and returned to England. Bibliogr., ref. [ASC Leiden abstract]