By Elimu Assistant Team 
The Lozi Collaboration: Lewanika and the British 🤝
Factors Influencing Lewanika’s Collaboration
- 👑 King Khama’s influence: Encouraged by Botswana’s King Khama who benefited from British protection against the Dutch
- ✝️ Missionary influence: François Coillard convinced Lewanika to ally with the British for western education
- ⚔️ External threats: Needed protection against Portuguese and German advances
- 🛡️ African enemies: Wanted British protection against Ndebele and Shona attacks
- ⚡ Internal rebellion: Faced internal challenges (1884 rebellion) and needed to safeguard his position
- 🎓 Western education: Desired education for his sons and civilization for his people
- 💷 Trade benefits: Wanted European goods (especially firearms) and trade promotion
- 💂 Military reality: Considered resistance against British military power futile
How Lewanika Collaborated
- 📜 Signed treaties: Harry Ware Treaty (1889), Lochner Treaty (1890), Coryndon Treaty (1898)
- 🤝 Welcomed British agents (Frank Lochner) and missionaries (François Coillard)
- 🏫 Allowed establishment of mission schools and sent his sons to Coillard’s school
🔹 The Lochner Treaty (1890)
Negotiated by François Coillard between Frank Lochner (BSA Company) and Lewanika.
Key Terms:
- 🏭 BSA Company gained mining rights (except certain farming/iron mining areas)
- 🛡️ British protection for the kingdom
- 💰 £2000 annual payment + 4% mineral royalties to Lewanika
- 📚 Promise to develop trade, schools, and telegraphy
- 👑 Lewanika remained king but as constitutional monarch
- 🏛️ British resident stationed in Lealui to advise on foreign affairs
Effect: Lewanika effectively surrendered his kingdom to the BSA Company.
🔹 The Coryndon Treaty (1900)
Key Terms:
- 🏛️ British government took over administration (BSA Company answered to Cape High Commissioner)
- 💼 Company would appoint officials and fund administration
- 🏗️ Promise of infrastructure development (schools, postal services, transport)
- 💷 Lewanika’s stipend reduced to £850 annually
- ⛏️ Company maintained mineral prospecting rights
- 🚫 Lewanika to abolish slavery and witchcraft
- 👑 Made Paramount Chief of Barotse with reduced powers
Effect: Lewanika became essentially a company employee, losing control over vassal states and most authority.
Results of Lewanika’s Collaboration
✅ Positive Outcomes
- 🏫 Schools and health centers established
- 🛡️ Protection from Ndebele attacks
- 👑 Recognized as Paramount Chief of Barotse
- 💰 Received £2000 yearly payment (later reduced)
- 🛣️ Infrastructure development in Barotseland
❌ Negative Consequences
- 🏴 Loss of independence and traditional authority
- ⛏️ BSA Company took mineral control
- 🏚️ Land alienation to British settlers
- 💸 Lozi forced to pay taxes
- 👷 Forced labor on settler farms
- ⚔️ Barotseland used as base to conquer neighbors
In the end, despite his collaboration, Lewanika lost his kingdom’s independence just like African rulers who resisted colonial rule.
