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5 unusual facts about François Coillard


François Coillard

Coillard’s first task was to open a new station at Leribe.

François Coillard (17 July 1834 in Asnières-les-Bourges, Cher, France – 27 May 1904 in Lealui, Barotseland, Northern Rhodesia) was a missionary who worked for the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society in southern Africa.

Khama suggested that the group could try their luck with Barotseland (the Lozi kingdom), north of the Zambezi River, where a Sotho-related language was spoken.

The country was in turmoil with Lewanika, the former king, exiled and a usurper on the throne.

After the missionaries crossed the Limpopo River, Shona chiefs would not welcome the group; instead, the party was forced to go to Bulawayo, the headquarters of King Lobengula of the Ndebele people.


British South Africa Company

He asked François Coillard of the Paris Evangelical Missionary Society, which had set up a mission to the Lozi, to help him draft a petition seeking a British protectorate.


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