From Zulu to Ndau: A change of medium

Abstract

In 1880 the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions decided to extend its field of work among the Zulu from Natal to the Gaza Kingdom of Mzila. As a first step stations were established in southern Mozambique and work in Gitonga and Tswa was begun. In 1893 the mission was moved to the Rhodesian Highlands. Although the Gaza Nguni had by then returned to their former capital on the Limpopo, the missionaries still hoped to evangelize their former subjects, the Ndau, through the medium of Zulu. Gradually a change to the use of Ndau took place and subsequent work by the missionaries of the American Board made a valuable contribution to the study of this Shona dialect.