The Mlevu Caves
In the late 19th century, as SDA missionaries established the Solusi Mission, they faced numerous challenges, including local uprisings and health crises. During the Second Matabele War (1896–1897), the mission was threatened by conflict. Chief Mlevu Ndlovu, a local leader who had welcomed the missionaries, played a pivotal role in safeguarding the missioneries’ assets. He hid these, in a cave west of the mission station. This cave is now part of Solusi University’s heritage and is known as the Mlevu Cave.
These caves are named after Chief Mlevu. The 1896 Ndebele uprising compelled the missionaries to seek for asylum in Bulawayo. The belongings of the missionaries where left at the Mission station. All the belongings of the missionaries where taken by chief Mlevu and hid in a cave. The missionaries
returned to Solusi after the war and received all their belongings from chief Mlevu.
Today, the Mlevu Caves serve as a tangible link to the past, offering insights into the resilience and collaboration between the early missionaries and the local communities.
For those interested in exploring the Mlevu Caves and learning more about their historical context, Solusi University offers guided tours and educational programs.
