Born in 1853, which individual was a major political figure in colonial South Africa known for his philosophy of mystical imperialism?

Cecil Rhodes was a prominent political figure in colonial South Africa, particularly recognized for his role in the expansion of British influence in southern Africa during the late 19th century. Born in 1853, Rhodes became a key advocate for what he termed "mystical imperialism," a philosophy that blended a vision of British expansion with a belief in the racial and cultural superiority of the British. His ambitious projects included the establishment of the Rhodes Scholarship and the expansion of territory, notably through the creation of the British South Africa Company, which played an essential role in the colonization of regions that are now Zimbabwe and Zambia.

His actions and ideologies had profound implications for colonial governance and the relationships between European powers and indigenous populations. The push for territorial expansion underpinned by a belief in British supremacy was a central theme in Rhodes' political career, encapsulating the attitudes prevalent during the era of New Imperialism in which colonial powers vied for dominance in Africa and beyond.