The Zambesi and Shire Rivers: Flawed Leader of Europeans

Abstract

Livingstone had proved that he could succeed against apparently impossible odds, winning through by determination, hard work and persistence, with virtually no help from anyone. Conversely, at the start of his Zambesi expedition, he seemed to have everything he could ask for. He was being paid by the government to do what he most wanted to do, virtually on his own terms. He could choose his own team, his budget was larger than he required at this stage and his terms of reference were elastic. Yet the expedition ended in complete disaster. His good qualities remained intact. But he lacked judgement and the ability to lead a team.