British South Africa Company receives its Royal Charter

Background. The British South Africa Company was chartered in 1889 following the amalgamation of Cecil Rhodes' Central Search Association and the London-based Exploring Company Ltd. These entities had originally competed to capitalise on the expected mineral wealth of Mashonaland but united because of common economic interests and to secure British government backing. According to the source, the company had been incorporated in October 1888, before the Charter was granted.

Negotiations. Much of the time after Rhodes arrived in London in March 1889 was taken up in discussions on the terms of the charter. During these negotiations, the company discussed the possibilities of taking over the administration of Bechuanaland and working with or amalgamating with the African Lakes Company, which was operating in Nyasaland.

Charter Granting. Armed with the Rudd Concession, Rhodes obtained a charter from the British Government in 1889 for his British South Africa Company to rule, police, and make new treaties and concessions from the Limpopo River to the great lakes of Central Africa. The Royal Charter of the British South Africa Company came into effect on 20 December 1889. Separately, on 29 October 1889, a Royal Charter authorised the formation of the British South Africa Company's Police; the passages do not state that this was the same instrument as the charter that came into effect in December.