A memorial was erected by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe in 1961. The monument contains a plaque in both English and Ndebele reading:

Imbongi: Ashney Siwela

BATTLE OF IMBEMBESI

On a hillock 300 yards south of this
pillar the Salisbury and Victoria
Columns (British South Africa Company’s
forces) formed laager about midday on
the First of November 1893.

During the halt they were heavily
attacked by a large force of Matabele
(iMbizo, iNgubo, iSiziba and iHlati regiments
with Amavene iQobo and iNsukamini
regiments in reserve).

The battle was hard and the Matabele
charged with the greatest courage
three times in the face of machine gun
fire but after suffering very many
casualties were compelled to
withdraw.

This was the decisive battle for
Rhodesia and the Columns marched on
to Bulawayo which they occupied on
the 4th November 1893.

Erected by the Historical Monuments Commission

On November 1, 1893, the Ndebele kingdom, under the rule of King Lobengula, faced a critical and decisive battle against Cecil John Rhodes' Pioneer Column. This historic clash took place at Gadade in Ntabazinduna, approximately 40 km outside Bulawayo along the Harare road.

In a brutal encounter, thousands of Ndebele warriors confronted the Pioneer Column's laager, facing relentless attacks from Maxim guns. The valiant soldiers belonged to renowned regiments such as Imbizo, Ameva, iSiziba, iHlathi, iNsukamini, and Ingubo. The aftermath saw over 6000 warriors laid to rest in a circular mass grave, marking a grim chapter in Southern Africa's military history.

As King Lobengula sought peace by sending gold as a gesture, the white scouts, unfortunately, intercepted the gold and failed to convey the king's message to Rhodes. In response, Rhodes dispatched Allan Wilson to pursue King Lobengula, leading to a confrontation with General Mtshana Khumalo and the king's military guard. Remarkably, King Lobengula survived the capture, escaping to Ngoniland.

Every year, a commemoration takes place at Gadade to honor those who sacrificed their lives defending their land. This year's ceremonies were observed on November 4.

At Gadade, the Matabele warriors, adopting the bull-horn formation, launched a renewed military onslaught on the advancing Pioneer Column. Regiments like iHlathi, iNsukamini, iNqobo, iSiziba, and iNduba formed the right flank, leading the charge, while UMcijo, Amavene, uJinga, and INxa comprised the left flank. IMbizo and INgubo, the elite Matabele regiments, formed the military epicenter of the campaign.

Dr. Leander Starr Jameson, a prominent leader of the invasions, expressed bewilderment at the gallantry displayed by Matabele warriors at Gadade. The courage of regiments like iMbizo and INgubo was described as astonishing, enduring a relentless onslaught for an extended period. The amajaha fought fiercely, defending their land, king, sovereignty, nation, dignity, and pride.

In the words of Johannes Collenbrander, "In any age, in any land, of any men where brave deeds are sung or told; the feats of the Matebele on the plains of the Shangani and Mbembesi rivers will forever shine and glitter with the best and brightest" (November 3, 1893).

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