MAPUNGUBWEAPUNGUBWE News Heritage Month M Souvenir Edition M News The Offi cial Newsletter of the Department of Sport Arts & Culture THE ENVIABLE LEGACY OF OUR FOREBEARERS

Kgosikgolo Sekhukhune

Rain Queen Modjadji

Kgosi Malebogo

Kgosi Mokopane

Khosikhulu Makhado Kgosi Makgoba Hosinkulu Nghunghunyani

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 1 MAPUNGUBWE News Tribute by Mthe MEC

statue of King Makgoba is unveiled. Apart heritage sites of Soutini Baleni in Mopani from the usual activities we will, for the fi rst District, Dzata in Vhembe District, Tjate time in the history of the province, launch in Sekhukhune District and the Malebogo Warrior Kings Day to commemorate their Boer-War Battlefi elds in Capricorn District. fearless and ferocious resilience in the We have to go beyond seeing these sites crucible of resistance to savage imperialist as just mere ancient historical relics but as conquest, dispossession and settler colonial provincial treasures requiring preservation domination. for posterity. It has been maintained throughout that “in history we study only what We celebrate this event with unparalleled chance has left us to discover”. It has been elegance, indomitable a mammoth effort to discover and compile pride and invincible patriotism. We are evidence about these second-to-none determined to live and perpetuate an hallmarks of our heritage. We invite every enviable legacy of selfl essness, sacrifi ce sense of appreciation and determination to and general service for common good. The regard this wealth as sacred and protect it National Heritage Council has added more at all costs. fl avour to these celebrations. The National Ubuntu Imbizo, which will be held on the No amount of words can thank the tireless day preceding Heritage celebrations and efforts of our historian, Mr Tlou Setumu for the Ubuntu Awards that will be held at the his generosity and modesty by allowing us MEC For Sport Arts and Culture: Mapungubwe World Heritage Site. This to use the magnifi cent compilation of his Happy Joyce Mashamba historical records. A member of the Limpopo award was previously conferred to the Provincial Legislature and Chairperson of fi rst democratic President of the Republic the Standing Committee on Public Accounts The department of Sport, Arts and Culture of South Africa, President N.R Mandela (SCOPA), Mr Rudolph Phala, we thank takes this opportunity to extend an open and last year, to the liberation President of you for your contribution in the history of invitation to all residents of Limpopo and Zambia, President K.K Kaunda. This year, the Bapedi ba Sekhukhune. Without rival people of South Africa to this year’s Heritage another colossus, an all time revolutionary it blended very well with Mr Setumu’s and Day Celebrations. This year’s celebrations and highly venerated statesman, the former aptly elaborated important aspects of the are of high magnitude and becomes a leader of the Peoples’ Socialist Republic of Bapedi. historical landmark to the South African Cuba, Mr Fidel Castro, is the one and only people. In the last fi ve years the department one. Compound the luminary greatness of Without being exclusive we will in our future rolled out a programme to honour Warrior the Warrior Kings and the illustrious and editions feature the Matebele of Langa, Kings. This found concrete expression impeccable credentials of Castro and the the Bakone of Matlala, the Batlokwa of in the erection of statues to give tribute, Cuban people in our liberation you will know Machaka etc. Children of Sekhukhune, recognition and historical signifi cance to we will have a memorable series. Nghunghunyani, Makhado, Makgoba, their achievements. We recognise that this Modjadji, Malebogo and Mokopane, enjoy programme remains incomplete until the We also pay tribute to the declared provincial the celebrations. Mapungubwe Newsteam contact details

Soviet Lekganyane Sam Makondo Editor Sub Editor Offi ce: 015 299 7700 Cell: 082 699 9630 Offi ce: 015 299 7700 Cell: 082 338 2684 [email protected] [email protected]

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1. KGOŠI MALEBOGO OF THEM BAHANANWA be their arms wherever they went. An indeed, to the Black communities and their leaders, their the young son would become his mothers arm roles soon caused trouble among communities. (assistant in royal matters). Lebogo was born In their quest to spread of Christianity, the around Thabana ya Morudu, on the eastern side missionaries found some obstacles along the way. of Limpopo River. They were very intolerant of some of the ways of life of Blacks which they wanted to dismantle Again, still using their pursuers’ reference, so that Blacks could be “saved” and “shown the Mmatsela’s people were beginning to refer to light”. They found some of the Black customs as themselves as the Bahananwa. At this stage, they “evil”, “backwards” and “barbaric”. For instance, still retained the Bahurutse totem of a springbuck. they worked tirelessly to discourage polygamy, However, they later abandoned a springbuck as magadi (bride price), koma (initiation) and such their totem because it snored. The snoring of a related Black customs. The attacks of the ways springbuck was regarded as in a negative light of life of Blacks by the missionaries created The Bahananwa originated from the Bahurutse because they believed it would expose them to divisions and confusion among communities. branch of the Batswana nation. They are a break their enemies. They moved slowly until they Those people who were converted began to away section whose roots are in the present day eventually reached the Blouberg Mountains look down upon those who resisted conversion. Botswana. Before the break away, they were the which they turned into their permanent home Tensions among communities due to missionaries Malete people of the Bahurutse. Oral history until the present day. At Blouberg they adopted varied. In most instances, the missionaries used has it that this break away was caused by the a baboon as their totem after abandoning the the political intervention of the colonialists in fact that Kgoši Malete had no sons by his senior springbuck. They chose the baboon as they found order to overthrow the Black tribal system which wife to succeed him in his throne. This wife them in abundance in the Blouberg area. During disabled them to achieve their goal of converting only had one child, Mmatsela, a girl. Without those days of unannounced attacks, mountain Blacks into Christianity. sons, Mmatsela was the natural heir to succeed strongholds were very essential for security. her father. However, there were people who Other key fi gures who helped to lead and guide The missionaries’ divisive impact was also felt strongly opposed the fact that they could be ruled the Bahananwa during their exodus included by the Bahananwa. As already indicated, the by a woman. As a result, there were plots to kill Sebudi and Lerokolole. missionaries messed up with tribal politics and in Mmatsela, especially by Kgoši Malete’s son of a Blouberg, the Bahananwa of Kgoši Matsiokwane junior wife. Because of lack of records, especially written was divided as a result. This tension which was ones, much of the history of the Bahananwa partly due to power struggle and partly because of To avert bloodshed, Kgoši Malete sent this in the 16th, 17th and 18th century is very scanty. Christian/non-Christian factor, resulted in Kgoši jealous son to hunt for a phuti (springbuck) and Much light on this history was shed by the arrival Matsiokwane chasing away the missionary, then he tipped his daughter, Mmatsela to fl ee. of the missionaries – who kept written records Stech, who had succeeded Beyer in 1874. Mmatsela took her followers and headed to the – in the second half of the 19th century. The Matsiokwane dismissed Stech from his country east. When the troublesome son returned with missionaries arrived in the Bahananwa country because in addition to causing divisions, he also a springbuck and enquired from Malete about during the reign of Kgoši Matsiokwane. The regarded the piece of land he was allocated as Mmatsela’s whereabouts, Kgoši was pressurised fi rst missionary to arrive was Reverend Beyer his own private property and he also began mine to disclose that she had fl ed. Noticing that his son in 1868. Beyer was warmly welcomed by the prospecting on that piece of land. The Bahananwa was eager to pursue her, Malete instructed that Bahananwa and was even given a piece of land (and other Black communities) did not know of should he indeed follow her, he should not follow in order to establish himself so that he could be such a thing as private land ownership and they her beyond the river, the Limpopo. Apparently, able to perform his duties of spreading the Holy were disgusted by Stech’s actions. Stech was also Malete had tipped her daughter, Mmatsela, to Gospel among the Bahananwa. accused by the colonialists of trading fi rearms to swiftly cross the Limpopo before they could the Bahananwa. even rest. Kgoši Matsiokwane and the Bahananwa did not only embrace the missionaries just for the Indeed, those who wanted to attack Mmatsela Holy Gospel. But they also viewed the White Tensions within the Bahananwa polity reached followed her and found her already on the other missionaries as important diplomatic agents in climax when Kgoši Matsiokwane was assassinated side of the river. Following Malete’s instruction, the increasingly changing environment in which in 1879. The missionaries’ involvement, which they stopped their chase. All what they could the colonial forces were slowly encroaching on complicated the power struggle factor, accounted say in frustration was, “Lena bahanani tena, their area. Just like most Black communities, the for this tragic event. The main contestants sepelang, empa le be maboho a rena mo le Bahananwa found the missionaries to be useful for power after Matsiokwane’s death became yaho”. (You rebels – those who do not want to be sources of information about broad world view Ramatho (Kibi) and Kgaluši (Mašilo/Seketa/ controlled – go away, but you should be our arms issues such as the presence of Whites, and other Ratšhatšha). Apparently, it was the section of wherever you are going). That is how the names, related matters which the missionaries knew, as Kibi, with the help of the Christians, which Bahananwa and Leboho (Lebogo) came about. they travelled extensively. The missionaries also orchestrated the assassination of Matsiokwane, acted as advisers to Black communities in the in the hope of seizing political power. However, After their pursuers gave up, Mmatsela and her face of the approaching aggressive colonialists. their hope was thwarted when Ratšhatšha people relaxed and then moved further east in In other words, in addition to the missionaries’ succeeded to take the throne. As a result, Kibi their own pace. Mmatsela had a relationship role of the preaching the Word of God, they fl ed with his followers and settled on the north- with Kgwedjane, and out of that union, a son inevitably became involved in diplomatic and eastern side of the Blouberg mountains. was born and named Leboho (written as Lebogo political matters. in current literature). He was named thus after After the turmoil which even split the Bahananwa those pursuers who instructed that they should However, even if the missionaries were useful chiefdom into two sections, Ratšhatšha slowly

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 3 MAPUNGUBWE News but surely rebuilt the remaining larger section mission of subjugating the Black chiefdoms added by Black warriors from allied chiefs, Kibi, of the chiefdom on the south-western side of under their authority. Mapene, Matlala and the Matebele. With numbers the mountain. He also became weary of the on the side of the Boers, it was inevitable that missionaries after learning the damage they had The Boers had divided the ZARM into districts/ the Bahananwa were going to lose. However, caused. However, as much as he was suspicious divisions, for administrative purposes. The it was not going to be easy. The Boers were so of the missionaries, he still needed them as Bahananwa resided in the Zoutpansberg district frustrated by the bravery of the Bahananwa of diplomatic agents in the rapidly changing of the ZAR. When Sonntag arrived in Blouberg Ratšhatšha that they even used dynamite, which world. After the unceremonious departure of in 1892, Barend Vorster was the Commissioner they hoped would destroy the Bahananwa among Stech, Blouberg remained for a while without a for Native Affairs in the Zoutpansberg district. the rocks. They again tried petroleum which they missionary. In actual fact, the mission activities Paul Kruger was the president of ZAR while Piet burnt in the hope of smoking out the Bahananwa were managed from the Makgabeng mission Joubert was Commandant-General of the ZAR from their mountain strongholds. station which had been established in 1870 by the armed forces. Native Commissioner Vorster by missionary, Trumpelmann. However, eventually that time had already made several attempts to With all such unconventional methods of in 1892, Christoph Sonntag arrived in Blouberg bring the Bahananwa under the ZAR authority. warfare, the Bahananwa still resisted. At one to resume missionary activities among the Up until then, his efforts were fruitless. time Sonntag condemned the use of dynamite Bahananwa. As much as Sonntag was cautious and petroleum against the Bahananwa. After the in dealing with the Bahananwa, especially Kgoši Ratšhatšha Lebogo (Malebogo) and the failure of the Boers to subdue the Bahananwa the chieftaincy, because of his predecessor’s Bahananwa were not prepared to submit under with their numbers, Black allies, dynamite and experiences, Kgoši Ratšhatšha was also cautious the ZAR. The Boers of the ZAR expected the petroleum, they fi nally decided to surround the of the new missionary. Ratšhatšha even rejected Bahananwa – just like all the Black communities water hole which supplied the Bahananwa with gifts from Sonntag stating that, should he accept within what they viewed as their jurisdiction – to water. This marked the crucial stage of the war. them, later the missionary would claim that he be counted in a census, pay taxes and recognise Heavy gunfi re was exchange around the water had bought land with those gifts. This was a their authority. Apparently, one of the reasons hole. Scores of Boers lost their lives as they tried reference to Stech who claimed private ownership why the Bahananwa rejected the Boer authority to capture the water hole. of the land he was given by Matsiokwane. was that they had much respect for the British than the Boers, and that they preferred the Other highlights of the war included a scene Sonntag arrived in Blouberg when tension was former’s authority than the latter’s. However, the in which the Matebele were ambushed by mounting between the Boers of ZAR and the reality was that the Boers had regained power the Bahananwa and killed in large numbers. Bahananwa. The Boers were the descendants from the British in 1881 and that they regarded Apparently, the Bahananwa blocked other of the Dutch – and other smaller European themselves as masters. entrances and opened one line so that their nationalities – who began to settle in the Cape in enemies could be forced to follow that open line. 1652. The British later expressed interest in the Kgoši Malebogo and the Bahananwa’s refusal They would then place their marksmen with Cape settlement and in the 1830s, the Voortrekkers to meet the demands of the Boers led to the rifl es at strategic places from where they would left the Cape in a mass movement known as the mobilisation on both sides. When Sonntag fi re. The Matebele apparently followed the open Great Trek. This was an open rebellion against arrived in Blouberg, he found himself more path with excitement only to plunge into a hail the British authority in which the Voortrekkers involved in the Bahananwa–Boer confl ict than of bullets. Another signifi cant incident during chose to move further into the interior. in his mandate of preaching of the Holy Gospel. the war was that the Boers were so determined However, in his handling of this confl ict, Sonntag to crush the Bahananwa that they carried their The Voortrekkers movement produced leaders mainly requested the Bahananwa to submit canon up the mountain in the hope of fi ring at such as Louis Trichardt, Andries Pretorius, under the Boers, while he failed to restrain (or the royal kraal. On their way up, they struggled Hendrik Potgieter, Piet Retief, and many others. at least ask restrain of) the Boers from attacking to push the heavy machine in between rocks and In the interior the Voortrekkers – who were by then the Bahananwa. In actual fact, Sonntag’s siding huge boulders. During that tedious job of pushing referred to as the Boers – founded two republics, with the Boers was evidenced by numerous the canon up, the Bahananwa once attacked and namely, the Zuid Afrikaansche Republik (ZAR incidents and again his assistance of Boers with fi red heavily on them. The Boers left the canon / Transvaal) and the Orange River Sovereignty valuable information about the Bahananwa and and ran away. During that skirmish numerous (later Orange Free State). In 1852 and 1854 the their area, helped the Boers to fi nally defeat the Boers lost their lives. British recognised the sovereignty of ZAR and Bahananwa. ORS respectively. Sonntag later wrote about how the frightened Kgoši Malebogo, although all the odds were Boers arrived at the mission running. Again, Within these Boer republics, just like in all other stacked against him, put up a brave fi ght against the fact that the Boers were able to run to the parts of South Africa, there were independent Boers from June 1894. His people had gathered mission for cover during the war, indicate that Black chiefdoms which until then enjoyed their a substantial amount of sophisticated fi rearms the missionary assisted them, and thereby took freedoms. As a result, the newly established Boer which were effectively used during the war. The their side. Sonntag also gave medical treatment republics were faced with a huge challenge of amount of casualties suffered by the Boers during to the wounded Boer soldiers, while in his diary bringing those independent chiefdoms – some of the war indicated that the Bahananwa were he made no mention of a case where he treated them were very powerful – under their authority. heavily armed with fi rearms. The Boers took wounded Bahananwa. Is this impartiality? Not at The Boers set themselves a task of forcefully this war very seriously as they slowly assembled all! subjugating the Black communities. In 1877 the commandos from almost all the districts of the Boers authority was disrupted by the annexation ZAR. The commandos from Marico, Rustenburg, After a bitter skirmish and loss of life, the Boers of the ZAR by the British. However, the Boers Pretoria, Waterberg, Leydenberg, Middleburg, eventually took control of the water hole at the soon recovered the authority of the republic in and so on, all gathered in Blouberg in 1894 beginning of July 1894. This marked a turning 1881 after the war which they referred to as with one mission - to attack and subjugate the point in the war. Thirst took a heavy toll on the “Die Eerste Vryheidoorlog” (The First War Bahananwa of Kgoši Malebogo. Bahananwa. There is no life without water. Lack of Independence). After re-establishing their of water soon proved to be unbearable for the authority in 1881, the Boers continued their These large numbers of commandos were also Bahananwa.

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On the other hand, Sonntag continued to push the war. It was found that some people had fl ed Bahananwa tradition of marrying senior royal Kgoši Malebogo to submit whereas he failed as far as the Makgabeng mountains. The present wives from the Morudu family. Mabea broke to tell the Boers to stop their aggressive assault rock art paintings in the Makgabeng, according this tradition of the Bahananwa chiefs by arguing on the Bahananwa. Women and girls began to to experts, some of it refl ects theM 1894 war. These that “bogoši ga bo rone, le ka ga Rangata bo a surrender to the Boers at the water hole. The paintings were made by the Bahananwa refugees tsena”. (Chieftaincy does not discriminate; it is other thirsty Bahananwa also followed and large during the war and they refl ect their frustration also suitable for the Rangata family). This was numbers fl ocked to the water hole where they and anger caused by the Boer’s merciless attack how Mabea acquired the nickname, Gaborone quenched their thirst and then surrendered. With on them. Paintings of Boers on horseback and (not to be confused with the capital city of his people surrendering in large numbers, Kgoši Boers holding their hips (a sign of arrogance) are Botswana). Malebogo had no other option but to consider some of the examples of the expressions captured surrendering himself. during the war. Out of Mabea’s marriage within his chosen Rangata family, Seiphi was born. Seiphi took The decision to hand himself to the Boers was Having taken away their ruler, the Bahananwa over the reigns of power after his grandfather, very diffi cult for Ratšhatšha. He thought of the were then led by Ratšhatšha’s mother, Ratšhatšha, died in 1939. Seiphi followed his number of Boers his warriors had killed, and he Mmaseketa. She was later assisted by Sephuthi father’s precedence by marrying from the Rangata then feared that the Boers might execute him on and Maemeletša. Sephuthi was the son of family. He married Mosima. After Seiphi’s death, sight. Sonntag tried very hard to allay this fear Ratšhatšha who had disappeared during the Mosima took over the throne. Mosima did not but it persisted. Again, in his engagements with war only to return after the war. His name was have children, and according to oral evidence, the Sonntag, who was more of the Boers’ messenger actually Mabea, and he was named Sephuthi Bahananwa were not happy with her relationship and spokesperson than anything, Ratšhatšha (the one who gathers) as he remained behind to with a certain shopkeeper, Mochemi. Mosima appeared to be convinced to surrender, but his “phutha” (gather) his father’s people after they was staying with her sister, Manchako, who had a councilors, especially Monyebodi, appeared to were dispersed by the war. In addition to the son, Matome, out of a union with Ngaka Raserite. have been against surrendering. After bickering war prisoners, the Boers had confi scated a lot of Matome grew up in his aunt Mosima’s royal for a long time, Ratšhatšha sent messages to the cattle from the Bahananwa. They also took away house, and he even learnt to assist her in royal Boers that he was prepared to surrender. Oral young girls as indentured labourers. matters. When Mosima was losing popularity, history has it that Ratšhatšha sent his brother to While the Boers were sure that they were in Matome was increasingly winning the hearts of the Boers disguising that it was him. According control of their republics after they had subjugated the Bahananwa as a leader. to this oral evidence, it was their ally, Kibi, who most of the Black chiefdoms, they were again told them that it was not Ratšhatšha. It is also faced with yet another war in 1899. This time it Obviously Mosima’s failure to have children claimed that it was Kibi who helped the Boers in was against their White counterparts, the British. affected the smooth succession to the Bahananwa their plan to surround a water hole. The mineral wealth discovered in the republics throne. As a result, after the death of both Eventually, Ratšhatšha, against his will, decided – diamond (1868) and gold (1886) – tempted Mosima and Matome, the Bahananwa spent a to surrender. To show that he was reluctant to hand the British interest in the interior. Eventually, long time without a leader. This was a worrying himself to the Boers, apparently he attempted to war broke in 1899 and the Boers were on the situation for the people who had a history of commit suicide by throwing himself into an open receiving end. It was during this war - referred great leaders. fi re. His face was badly burnt but he was rescued mostly in literature as the Anglo-Boer War – that out of fi re. Kgoši Malebogo and those close to Kgoši Malebogo was released in 1900. The Bahananwa eventually came together and him surrendered on 31 July 1894 to the Waterberg decided to appoint Collen Matee Lebogo as their commandos’ camp of Commandant Malan. After his release, Ratšhatšha went back to Blouberg new leader in 1980. By that time Collen was Kgoši Malebogo tried to show his peaceful and found his son, Mabea, who was leading the working in ISCOR in Pretoria. According to oral intentions to Malan by offering him £100. Malan Bahananwa, staying at Kwarung, on the southern evidence, Collen was not in favour of becoming was so arrogant that he even ignored Kgoši foot of the Blouberg Mountain. He refused to chief. However, at last he succumbed to the Malebogo’s gesture of shaking hands. Earlier on, stay in his son’s household permanently. He then persuasion and pleas of the Bahananwa to lead Ratšhatšha had made a request to be given water later returned to his original royal capital on top them. He passed away in May 1999, and was to wash before meeting the Boers, but that was of the mountain. Although he took Mabea with succeeded by his brother, Ben Seraki Lebogo. rejected. After handing himself to his enemies, him up the mountain, Ratšhatšha was actually in Ben also had to relinquish his position in the Kgoši Malebogo was subjected to humiliation by charge. He continued to rule his people until his police service in order to lead the Bahananwa. being tied by thongs like an animal. A make-shift death in February 1939, at the age of ninety fi ve. Kgoši Ben Seraki Lebogo (Malebogo) passed shelter of branches was also build for him. After his death, Mabea’s son, Seiphi took over way in 2005. the reigns of power. The surrender of Kgoši Malebogo ended a short but bitter war. Ratšhatšha and his close associates When Seiphi took power in 1939, his father were taken to Pretoria as prisoners. When the Boer Mabea was already dead. Oral history has it that commandos dispersed, they instructed that all the Mabea was killed by the Boers who had returned Bahananwa should settle on the fl at plains and to Blouberg long after the war to trace the canon. those who were still in the mountain strongholds, According to this oral evidence, the Boers should come down to the designated location on had left that canon during the 1894 war and it the fl at plains. They apparently requested their remained there for a very long time. Apparently, ally, Kibi, to cleanse the mountain strongholds, the Bahananwa had established a habit of trying by killing Ratšhatšha’s people who still occupied to push that canon up to the royal kraal until one the mountains. fateful day when the Boers came and shot at those canon pushers, killing Mabea. After the Boer commandos had left Blouberg, many people came down and most of them Before his death, and during his reign when settled around the mission station. They joined Ratšhatšha was still in prison, Mabea married Sonntag’s converts who had not been involved in from the Rangata family. This was against the

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2. KGOŠI MOKOPANE OF THE MATEBELEM OF KEKANA people. Nobody dared to raise a fi nger or a word When a circumcision school was instituted, of criticism, lest that would be another funeral. Kwenane came back with mercenaries and killed his old rival brother, Tšhumane, who was As Kgoši Mokopane was ageing, the community made chief. Tlokwa was also implicated in the began to look for an heir to the throne. Kgoši assassination of Tšhumane. Ramahlwa Kekana Mokopane had killed all his two sons and the pursued the Bapedi mercenaries who killed succession issue became problematic. The Tšhumane. It was actually Ramahlwa who saw community then demanded that the ageing that Tlokwa was also with the killers. To prove Kgoši Mokopane sleeps with Matsebe’s wife, his Tlokwa’s ambitions and involvement in the daughter-in-law, in order to bear his successor. assassination of Tšhumane, he came to take over When he protested that he was too old for that Kgoši Mkopane II the reigns of power, thereby succeeding the slain job, he was persuaded until he succumbed. With Like the Matebele of Langa, the Matebele of chief. This happened even if it was known that Matsebe’s wife, Kgoši Mokopane fathered a son, Kekana originated from the Hlubi in Zululand. he orchestrated Tšhumane’s murder. It became Mokopane II. Mokopane II was therefore Kgoši They have elephant (tlou) as their totem. Their very clear that Tlokwa’s intention was to take Mokope’s blood son, but also his grandson as he earliest chief, who appeared to have led them over power eventually. He also annexed the use was born from his son’s (Matsebe’s) wife. into the Transvaal, was Musi (Msi / Muši). Musi traditional medicines and rainmaking (boroka) Mokopane II was still a young boy when the was succeeded by his son, Manala. Later the which belonged to Tšhumane. As Tlokwa was Kekana had trouble with the Boers around the chiefdom split into fi ve divisions, among the fi ve ruling, Tšhumane’s son, Mokopane, was growing. 1850s. The old Kgoši Mokopane was still in sons of Manala. One of these sons, Matombeni As he was growing bakgomana were planning to power when serious confl icts erupted between (Kekana) settled at Moletlane and established the reveal to him how Tlokwa had actually killed the Kekana chiefdom and the Boer emigrants Kekana chiefdom. A section of the Kekana broke his father, and forcefully took power. They only (Voortrekkers) in 1854. There are indications away under Kgošigadi Mashashane and called waited for the right time to do that. that trouble between the Voortrekkers and themselves the Ledwaba people. Their new place Kgoši Mokopane’s people had been brewing was called Mashashane and was also represented When the bakgomana were convinced that for some time. The encroachment of the Boers by Kgoši Jack Eiland and Kgoši Jonathan Mokopane was old enough to handle the in their country should have naturally angered Maraba. Another small section later broke away situation, they sent him to Tlokwa to demand the Matebele, not to mention the ill treatment of from Mashashane and settled near Mogalakwena certain ritual medicines, the thebele. After he Blacks by superiority-conscious Whites at that River under Kgoši Nkidikitlana. submitted the most important thebele, Tlokwa time, particularly with their cruel indentured demanded to be paid by a cow which used to (“inboekseling”) system in which Black children Another branch of the Kekana settled near bear twins. Mokopane then informed bakgomana were enslaved. Hermanus Potgieter, the younger Sefakaola Hill, at the present day town of of Tlokwa’s demand. The bakgomana took that brother to Commandant-General of the ZAR, Potgietersrus. This branch is commonly known as the opportunity to overthrow Tlokwa. They Andries Hendrik Potgieter, was notorious among as those of Mokopane, named after one of their called a hunting party, lesolo, and planned to the Matebele for his short temper and violent revered chiefs. At Sefakaola hills, these Kekana kill Tlokwa. Tlokwa was also aware of the fact slave raids, in which he used to murder people people were mostly hunters and there were that he was to be killed. He pleaded with the in cold blood. The Matebele referred to him as also fewer farmers. During their settlement at bakgomana that they kill him with dignity by not Nterekana while his brother, Hendrik, was called Sefakaola hills, Mmakgopa and Kgaba were spilling his blood. Ntereke (Nterekana is a diminutive form of their leaders and they did not have an actual chief Ntereke). because they were nomadic due to wars. Among The bakgomana indeed heeded Tlokwa’s plea the two, Mmakgopa was the senior leader. and they then strangled him with string, and The brewing tension between the Kekana and Around that area they found the Sotho speaking indeed spilt no drop of his blood. Mokopane the Voortrekkers exploded when Hermanus communities such as the Mashishi. Because was then inaugurated as chief. Kgatabedi and Potgieter killed Kgoši Mokopane’s youngest of competition for resources, confl icts among Mapeni became close aides to Kgoši Mokopane. brother for allegedly having killed a buffalo the Matebele and Sotho communities were not Kgoši Mokopane was said to have a special gift calf. The Matebele were further angered when uncommon. of “seeing” other than using his eyes. He was Hermanus killed a snake which they believed believed to be more like a prophet. He married accommodated the spirit of their late chief. The While they were still at Sefakaola hills, power and had two sons. With his power of “seeing”, Matebele of Kekana of Kgoši Mokopane, together struggle erupted between Mmakgopa and Kgaba. Kgoši Mokopane “saw” that his elder son had with their neighbours, the Matebele of Langa As a result, Kgaba broke away and settled at ambition to take over power from him. After of Kgoši Mankopane, murdered about twenty- the present day Moordrif. Kgaba had two sons, “seeing” this trouble within his son, he then eight Boers, including Hermanus Potgieter. It Tšhumane and Kwenane. Manyelenyele and killed that ambitious son with a knobkerrie. is alleged that Hermanus was skinned alive and Tlokwa were the main aides of Kgaba. After his skin was used for some rituals. The people of Kgaba died, the actual chieftaincy commenced Matsebe, the younger and the only surviving Kgoši Mokopane killed about fourteen of those and Tšhumane was made chief. Tšhumane was son, grew up and married. Mokopane again Boers near Mogalakwena River (and that place not the elder, but Kwenane was. But because “saw” that Matsebe also became ambitious of was named Moorddrif – “murder drift”) whil Kwenane didn’t take care of their mother, the taking power from him. At that time, Matsebe Mankopane’s people murdered the other fourteen mother convinced the community to appoint did not even have a single child in his marriage. at Fothane Hill. Tšhumane chief. Tšhumane then fathered After “seeing” that Matsebe was ambitious like Mokopane (Setšwamadi). Kwenane fl ed after his elder, Kgoši Mokopane also killed him the he was not appointed as chief. He settled in the same way as the elder one. Kgoši Mokopane was Piet Potgieter, who succeeded his father, Andries Bapedi country. a very powerful leader and was feared by his Hendrik Potgieter as a Commandant-General

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 6 MAPUNGUBWE News of Zoutpansberg, immediately gathered a who were taken out of the cave during the of peace. And again, Mokopane II was allowed commando in order to punish those who killed 1854 siege. The miners who saw Mokopane II to choose his favourite wife from the Langa. Hermanus and his party. Kgoši Mokopane’s returned home and informed theM community. A Mokopane II’s main wife bore only a daughter, people withdrew into a huge cave which was then delegation of able-bodied young men was sent Ntjatji, while the wife from Langa whom he besieged by the Boers from October to November out to check what was brought by the miners. chose himself bore a son, Valtyn (Lekgobo). 1854. Many lives were lost during the siege and The White farmer who was keeping Mokopane II Mokopane II gave his son this Boer name he Piet Potgieter was shot by the Matebele and fell became furious after learning that the delegation grew up in the Boer farm. He himself was given from the roof of the cave while he was trying to was from the Kekana, who had killed most of the name Hendrik by the Boer farmers and he position himself to be able to shoot into the cave. his people, including Hermanus Potgieter and was heavily infl uenced by their ways of life. He He died instantly and Paul Kruger, one of the his nephew, Piet Potgieter. His wife softened was also very fl uent in their language. It is said commando leaders, later managed to recover his him. But Boer farmer demanded payment with that because of his fl uent in the Boers’ language, body. Later the small town of Potgietersrus was elephant tusks and large numbers of sheep before he later became a spokesperson and interpreter established and was named after him as it was he could release Mokopane II, claiming that he for the Black chiefs in their dealings with the where he was laid to rest. It was formerly called had made him grow. Boer authorities. Piet Potgieter’s Rust – P.P. Rust. Mošupša was another son born by the woman The Kekana community did have sheep but who was given to Mokopane II by the Langa. While the Matebele were still trapped and lacked tusks. They were then advised to go That woman was given to Mokopane II when besieged in the cave, Kgoši Mokopane, again to Chief Molekwa near Mogalakwena to fi nd she was already pregnant. When Mokopane II with his power of “seeing”, instructed that the elephant tusks. On their way to Molekwa, died in the 1890s, Valtyn was appointed to act children be taken out of the cave. Among those they were joined by the Langa warriors who because the principal wife had no son, she only children who went out of the cave was Mokopane accompanied them. Molekwa not only provided had Ntjatji. The Matebele were not in favour of II. The Boers captured those children together elephant tusks, he also offered his warriors – being led by a female ruler, hence Ntjatji couldn’t with Mokopane II and they were indentured. who all accompanied the Kekana with tusks and be given the reigns of power. Apparently the Boers could not sustain the siege sheep to free Mokopane II from the Boer farmer. as most of the Kekana went out either through The Kekana–Langa–Molekwa high powered The Kekana community then “married” a wife other openings or after the Boers gave up the delegation with tusks and sheep arrived and - mmasetšhaba - for Valtyn in order to produce siege. According some other sources, Kgoši the Boer farmer handed Mokopane II to them. an heir to the throne. Valtyn slept with that Mokopane was tied on a cow as he escaped This time the farmer was co-operative and he “community wife’ and a baby girl were born. from the surrounded cave. According to the even advised Mokopane II to continue his good With another wife Valtyn fathered Kgatabedi II same sources, he later committed suicide, most behaviour and trustworthiness in leading the (Bernard). Before his death, Valtyn instructed that probably in November 1854, as the Boers were Kekana. the throne be given to Musupša. Makgoboketša hunting for him. After the clashes with the Boers gave the throne to Kgatabedi II in 1923, after subsided, the Kekana went out to settle at Ga- When they returned, Mapeni took Mokopane II acting for three years. Kgatabedi II married Mmachidi (Ganochidi) around the Zebediela to the mountain school. Thereafter Mokopane II his wives and married mmasetšhaba who died area. This is where the ailing Kgoši Mokopane took reigns of power. He ruled during turbulent while pregnant. Kgatabedi II died in 1933 and asked Magemi to ensure that they should go all times in which the Black chiefdoms including his uncle Gojela1 (Shikwane) was asked to act in out and look for Mokopane II who must come the Langa constantly attacked the Kekana. 1934 on behalf of Alfred, the son of Kgatabedi to be the new chief. Kgoši Mokopane told them Ironically it was Langa who offered their men to II’s other wife, Sedibu. Gojela died in 1961 that he saw Mokopane II in dreams that he is accompany the Kekana to free Mokopane II from and Sedibu took over and mmasetšhaba, Naum still alive. After Kgoši Mokopane’s death, he the Boer farmer. During Mokopane II’s reign the Langa, was married. Naum Langa gave birth to was buried at Ga-Mmachidi and Magemi then Kekana warriors were led by a strong man called the present (2005) ruler, Valtyn Kekana. There is became regent. Nkakabidi. also another version in which some sources say Madimetja (Alfred) succeeded Gojela in 1962 During the migratory journeys to the mines, The Langa people were concerned about and he ruled until his death in 2000. Apparently, Mokopane II was found by some of the Matebele Mokopane II’s growing power and they were the confl icting versions are a refl ection of the migrant labourers looking after a certain Boer determined to destroy that power. But as they current dispute in the Kekana chieftaincy. farmer’s livestock around the present day Brits. realised that Mokopane II was to strong to be It must be borne in mind that was indentured to destroyed, they opted for appeasement. The the Boers along with the other Kekana children Langa then offered Mokopane II woman as a sign 3.

KHOSIKHULU MAKHADO OF THE VENDA

fi ve hundred kilometres from east to west. was abandoned while the Great Zimbabwe emerged According to available sources, Soutpansberg around that time. When the Great Zimbabwe mountains started about 1 900 million years ago collapsed in the 15th century, communities with the emergence of the archaic sediments migrated in different directions, particularly to and larva known as the Soutpansberg group. the south. One of the migrations to the south was The availability of salt in the pans is one of the under Hosi Dimbanyika (Ndyambeu), who led factors which attracted earliest human habitation his people across the Vhembe (Limpopo) river. in Soutpansberg. The earliest human habitation Dimbanyika settled around the Soutpansberg Soutpansberg is one of the three nothernmost around the Soutpansberg area was around 900 area and his new place was named Tshiendeulu. mountain ranges in Limpopo Province. The AD. Schroda, K2 and Mapungubwe were among This signifi cant settlement was where these other two are Blouberg and Makgabeng, the earliest areas to be inhabited by humans. migrants from the Great Zimbabwe met the Sotho and Soutpansberg is the biggest of the three. communities in which they blended into a people Soutpansberg runs a distance of more than In around 1250 AD, the Mapungubwe settlement and culture which would later be known as the

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Venda. Tshiendeulu settlement is also referred in eventual abandonment in 1867 was mainly allegedly from poisoning which happened at his literature as Dzata I. because of the assault by the Venda of Khosi friend’s, John Cooksly’s shop. After the death of Makhado. After coming to Mpower in 1864, the powerful Makhado, the Boers were able to The smaller groups which are regarded to have Makhado was no longer prepared to tolerate return to the north four years later, to establish collectively formed what is commonly referred further White encroachment on his land. another small town not far from the abandoned to as the Venda, included various groups of the Khosi Makhado was regarded by the colonial Schoemansdal, naming it Louis Trichardt, after Vhirwa, Ngona, Lembethu, Mbedzi, Thavhazindi, forces, especially the Boer trekkers, as “the another pioneering Voortrekker leader. Dau and so on. Dimbanyika’s son and successor, troublesome Venda chief” because of his power Phophi, later changed his name to Thohoyandou and their inability to defeat him. Makhado was There was power struggle among Makhado’s three and moved his capital from Tshiendeulu to indeed powerful as he settled in the mountainous sons (Maemu, Sinthumule and Mphephu) after Nzhelele. The new capital was also referred to as stronghold of Soutpansberg, which made it his death. Immediately after Makhado’s death, Dzata II. In the fertile Nzhelele valley, there was a diffi cult, if not impossible, for his enemies to Maemu took the monarchy’s capital to Nzhelele. booming economy of farming as well as industrial dislodge him. His position was also strengthened The other sons, Sinthumule and Mphephu, activities of the mining of iron, gold, copper and by a string of alliances he forged with other attacked Maemu. The Boers saw an opportunity salt. By the time the fi rst Voortrekkers – Louis strong Black chiefs like Sekhukhune and in the division of the sons of Makhado because Trichardt and Hans van Rensberg – arrived in the Malebogo. One of the objectives of the Boers their eventual aim was to subjugate the whole Soutpansberg area in the 1830’s, Thohoyandou’s after establishing the ZAR republic in 1852 by Venda chiefdom. The Boers then fuelled this son, Mpofu (Tshisevhe) was in power. the Sand River Convention (in which the British division. Their divisive efforts were evidenced recognised their autonomy) was to subjugate by the fact that after Sinthumule and Mphephu Trichardt and Van Rensberg were part of the Black chiefdoms. This task proved to be a hard attacked Maemu, Maemu took refuge among the Boers’ mass exodus from the Cape to the interior, nut to crack when they eventually arrived in the Boers and was even taken to Pretoria. Obviously known as the Great Trek. The Boers were escaping north, coming face to face with Makhado. this contributed a lot in strengthening the Boers the British authority in the Cape and intended hand against the Venda. to establish their independence in the interior. Tensions between the trekkers and the Boers led Trichardt and Van Rensberg joined forces in 1836 to intensifi cation of attacks on both sides. The Mphephu later took over the reigns of power, but in the Soutpansberg vicinity, particularly because ZAR government of President M. W. Pretorius the deep divisions already created saw Sinthumule of the threat offered by Black communities such eventually sent troops to Soutpansberg to attack continuing to attack Mphephu. The Boers who as the Matebele. Van Rensberg was later killed by the Venda. By 1867, the Boers had assembled were slowly but surely working towards the the local communities around the Soutpansberg, a formidable force under the command of Paul eventual subjugation of the Venda, succeeded to and by that time another leader, Andries Hendrik Kruger. A fi erce war ensued in which the Boers isolate the ruling Mphephu. Eventually, the Boer Potgieter, had joined the trekkers in that area. were defeated and they retreated, abandoning authorities realised that the time was ripe to attack Potgieter promised to establish a settlement with their Schoemansdal settlement. The Boers and fi nish of the weakened Venda chiefdom. his fellow trekkers, but he later returned to the retreated to Marabastad in the vicinity of the They then created a pretext that Mphephu was south, only to return to the Soutpansberg after present-day Polokwane. To the Venda, this was a illegally acquiring arms for the Venda. On 13 twelve years, in 1848. signifi cant victory against the Boers who intended September 1898 the ZAR government instructed to subjugate them. Makhado’s stature was greatly Commandant Piet Joubert to attack Mphephu. Having lost other leaders (Van Rensberg died elevated as he was the only Black leader whom With the Boers’ trusted policy of dividing their and Potgieter went back southwards), Trichardt the ZAR forces had actually run away from. enemies, Sinthumule was lured into the Boer was left to face the diffi cult conditions in the According to available sources, Makhado was camp against his brother, Mphephu. Mphephu north. One of Trichardt’s worst problems was born between 1830 and 1840, and was the son fl ed across Limpopo River, a move which marked the malaria epidemic. Most of his people died of Khosi Mphephu Ramabulana and his wife the formal subjugation of the Venda by the ZAR of this fever. Amidst these diffi cult conditions, Lemani. He worked as a labourer on White government. Trichardt tried to establish relations with local owned farms and also, importantly, as a tracker people, particularly the Venda and the Buys for elephant hunters. He was such a good Immediately after vanquishing the Venda, people. Trichardt had been very keen to reach the assistant and gun carrier that the hunters taught the Boers fast-tracked plans to establish a coast in which he hoped to establish trade links him to use a gun and he became a good shot. new town in the Soutpansberg area. General with the Portuguese. His relations with the Buys He also earned their trust to such an extent that Joubert told the ZAR government that land in people helped him in this regard as they supplied they gave him and his men guns to hunt on their that area was extremely fertile and would give him and his people with guides who led them to own. Many of these guns were never returned, Boer agriculturalists good opportunities. With the coast. Eventually, Trichardt and his people and were later to be used against their attacking measures such as the Occupation Law of 1886, arrived in Delagua Bay (present day Maputo) enemies, particularly the Boers. the ZAR government gave large tracts of land to on 13 April 1838. Trichardt died on 25 October the White occupants, giving preference to those 1838 at the age of 55. When Ramabulana died in 1864, Makhado’s who participated in subjugating the Venda. In brother, Davhana, was supposed to take over the this process of giving away land – in some cases Andries Hendrik Potgieter returned to the reigns of power. However, Makhado succeeded free of charge – the Venda people were greatly Soutpansberg area in 1848 after 12 years. He and to take over power whereupon his brother dispossessed of their land. his people established a settlement which they fl ed. During his reign, troubles with the ZAR called Soutpansbergsdorp. This settlement was government surfaced when he refused census later renamed Schoemansdal, after Stephanus among his people, while he also refused to pay Schoeman. Schoeman became the leader of the ZAR taxes. The Boers, just like in all instances, Boer state after Piet Potgieter was shot dead by regarded this as defi ance of their authority and the Matebele during the siege of the Kekana then they waged war against Makhado, which led of Mokopane in 1854. The Boer settlement of to their humiliating defeat and retreat in 1867. Schoemansdal existed only for 19 years (1848 – 1867). The demise of Schoemansdal and its Khosi Makhado died on 11 September 1895,

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4. KGOŠIKGOLO SEKHUKHUNEM OF THE BAPEDI diplomacy and military conquest. Their motto- Mampuru buried him, and he immediately claimed “Fetakgomo o sware motho, mofetakgomo chieftainship, for which he had long acted as a ke moriri o a hloga,” was used to build a regent. Morwamotšhe, who was the rightful heir strong and revered Pedi nation. They adopted to the throne, was angered by Mampuru’s claim porcupine (noko) as their totem, replacing the to his position. The stage was set for confl ict, and monkey (kgabo). The replacement of monkey by indeed fi ghting broke out between the followers porcupine as their totem indicated that the Bapedi of Morwamotšhe and Mampuru. Morwamotšhe were determined to be an independent entity with gained the upper hand, and Mampuru was a unique identity. magnanimously allowed to break away from the Bapedi chiefdom. Morwamotšhe had three sons, Kgoši Sekhukhune’s long and bitter struggle As a consequence, the Marota, as the Bapedi are namely, Thulare, Mothodi and Dikotope. After against the Boers between 1876 and 1878, affectionately addressed, were the defacto rulers Morwamotšhe’s death, a succession dispute distinguished him to be one of the brave and of a great empire that included people of other again rocked the Bapedi dynasty. Eventually, shrewd Black leaders of the same class as origins including the Bakgaga, Beta, Bakone, Thulare triumphed and even succeeded to unite King Shaka, King Moshweshwe and many Baroka, Batlokwa, Baphuthi, Bakwena, Bakgatla, the chiefdom which had been constantly plagued others. During that protracted war, the Boers Bantwane, BaMongatane, BaMohlala, Mapulana, by the power struggles. Thulare is still mostly were humiliated by the Bapedi, particularly at Montebello, Matlala, Batswana, MaSwazi, revered by the Bapedi as the great leader who, Thaba Mosego. However, the Bapedi were later Batswako and others. They all owed allegiance according to some sources, once extended his defeated by the British in 1879 with a powerful and had a common loyalty to the Pedi Kings. authority between the Vaal and the Limpopo force under Sir Garnet Wolseley, which included They even requested initiation sessions from rivers. Thulare’s mysterious power was added their Swazi allies. the Pedi kings. So it is clear that, “historically by the fact that he died on the day of a comet in The Bapedi are a branch of Sotho people the Pedi were a relatively small tribe who by 1824. It was during the reign of Thulare when (Basotho2). The Sotho people, like almost all the various means built up a considerable empire. the Matebele of Mzilikazi, one of King Shaka’s Bantu-speaking communities, originated from This resulted in their language being accepted lieutenants, attacked the Bapedi and killed most around the Great Lakes in northern and central as a lingua franca and indeed, with minor of Thulare’s sons, except Sekwati and Seraki. Africa. Together with other Bantu-speakers, the adjustments, as the medium for Bantu schools in Sekwati, the senior son of Thulare, fl ed and took Sotho migrated southwards. In their southward most of the Transvaal.” (Monnig.1967: v). refuge under the Bahananwa in the Blouberg migration, the Sotho followed different routes in Mountains. After Matebele of Mzilikazi stopped various times. As a result, the Sotho groups were In their new settlement, the earliest Bapedi their raids against the Bapedi, Sekwati returned scattered and when they settled in southern Africa, leaders included Thobele, Kabu, Thobejane, to rebuild the Bapedi chiefdom. It was during they were broadly categorized into the Southern Moukangwe, Mohube, Mampuru, Morwamotšhe the reign of Sekwati that the Bapedi fi rst came Sotho, Western Sotho (Tswana) and the Northern and Dikotope. In order to expand their infl uence into contact with the Voortrekkers under Louis Sotho. The Bapedi forms part of the latter group. and authority, the Bapedi married their chief’s Trichardt in 1837. Another Voortrekker group The categorization of people has been (ab) used daughters to the defeated chiefdoms and used entered the Bapedi country under Andries by racist authorities for their narrow political cattle to marry as many women as possible from Hendrik Potgieter in 1845 and they established ends, particularly in South Africa. neighbouring tribes, thereby ensuring that leaders their settlement which they called Ohrigstad. of those chiefdoms would be blood-related to the These initial contacts were friendly because the The Bapedi as we know them today, originated Bapedi. They admitted outsiders and refugees Bapedi even gave these Boers emigrants presents from the Bahurutse branch of the Bakgatla, a into the fold of the tribe and by conquering such elephant tusks, sheep and goats. section of the Tswana branch of the Sotho. The recalcitrant tribes. The empire grew overtime to a creation of the Bapedi chiefdom had its origin stage where at the zenith of its success it covered However, these cordial relations between the with a breakup of the Bahurutse. the area between the Lekwe (Vaal) and the Lebepe Bapedi and the Boers did not last as Potgieter The breakup was because Diale had to save his (Limpopo) Rivers, in the South and North, and attacked the Bapedi twice, in 1847 and 1852, favourite wife Mmathobele, because when she Komati River and the Kgalagadi, in the East and looting livestock. As a result, Sekwati moved was pregnant the other jealous, less favoured in the West respectively. (Magubane.1998:127). his capital to Thaba Mosego, fortifi ed it, and it wives alleged that they heard a child crying in her became known as Tjate. Sekwati who was not womb. In this way they implied that Mmathobele It goes without saying that, “initially they were in favour of war, signed peace with the Boers in was a witch. The child, Thobele, was later born small and weak, but they soon began to establish 1857. and nicknamed Lellelateng (it cries inside). It their authority over a number of other Sotho became apparent that the community was never groups and started to play a dominant role in the The fi rst missionary to visit Sekwati was a going to accept Mmathobele’s mysterious son area. The basis of the Pedi power was laid by King Lutheran of the Berlin Missionary Society, who even bore a negative tag in his nickname. Thulare (1780 - 1820). Thulare was a fearless Alexander Merensky, in 1860. Merensky was As a result, Mmathobele left with a group of warrior and a wise statesman.” (Van Aswegen. later followed by other missionaries, Grutzner, followers in order to save her son. 1990:63) The Bapedi like any other tribe had Nachtigal and Endemann. The fi rst mission their Kings and royalty, their succession struggles station to be built was Gerlarchschoop and later After breaking away, the group eventually settled and a powerful culture and tradition. Succession Kgalatlou, Lobethal, Botshabelo, Ga-Ratau, and in the Tubatse (Steelpoort) river and Leolo disputes often occurred among the Bapedi chiefs. Maandagshoek were built. Missionaries had Mountains in the Eastern-Central Transvaal Perhaps the most intense power struggle was hot and cold relations with King Sekhukhune, around 1650. This is where they built a powerful that one between Mampuru and Morwamotšhe. because they were on occasion alleged to be empire in Bopedi, by a skilful combination of According to the Bapedi custom, the deceased involved in subversive and treacherous activities chief should be buried by the one to succeed on behalf of the Boers. The Bapedi said that him. Thus when the old chief Moukangwe died, some were undertaking dubious activities under

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 9 MAPUNGUBWE News the cover of religion, hiding behind the Bible and speech. Cattle represented a concrete expression Boers. That is why on his sereto (praise-poem) using the name of God. of Pedi wealth. They therefore dominated such he says, “ke paletse maburu ka Tsate, sebata ke ceremonies and intra- and inter-tribalM matters a khukhuna. Moka boditsi ke hlahla le phoka.” During Sekhukhune’s reign the missionaries, such as funerals, marriage, initiation, court fi nes, (I survived Boer assaults on Tjate. No one could led by Alexander Merensky increased their song, ancestor worship and traditional rituals. catch my movements. I am very slippery.) This is interaction with the Bapedi and pioneered the This dominant role of cattle had a material the brave young man who came to be known as introduction of Christianity amongst the Bapedi. background in that the Bapedi depended on King Sekhukhune. Amongst them was P. E. Schwellnus who wrote them for almost everything from ceremonies to many Sepedi school books, translated Bible building relations, clothing (cow hide), shoes, When his father, King Sekwati, passed away in into Sepedi and Tshivenda languages and wrote meat, milk, go kgopha (polish). The Sepedi word 1861, Sekhukhune took over. On ascending the sixty-eight hymns with very beautiful words and for cow and cattle, kgomo and dikgomo, literally throne of his father he proved to be a worthy melodies. (Hagens.1965:207) dominates the Bapedi life interactions. successor. That is why to this day the Bapedi honour, respect, fondly remembers and pays The suspicions of the Bapedi were fuelled by the They held dikoma, had dikgoro, pitso, moshate, tribute to him lovingly. He continued where fact that missionaries did in fact collaborate with dibego, malapa, mashemo, diruiwa, dingaka, his father and fore-bearers had left to build a the Boers and the British. Despite their general bahlabani and worshiped God through badimo. powerful Pedi Kingdom. progressive role of introducing literacy and so on, They had a fairly democratic and egalitarian missionaries ensured that colonization is extended society. They had laws, rules and practices The relationship between the missionaries and and exerted even in areas where outright military that were adhered to, and punished those who Sekhukhune began to deteriorate. Even though conquest would have been either very diffi cult or transgressed. As Lerumo says, “The African the missionaries had made a considerable totally impossible. The case of the Bahananwa political and judicial structure was essentially progress by converting many people into under Kgosi Maleboho is a clear example of democratic. Important decisions affecting the Christianity and having built a number of mission how after their several failed attempts to enter tribe were referred to a general assembly of the stations, things were falling apart between the the mountain fortress they changed the strategy. people – the Tswana kgotla and Sotho pitso, the Missionaries and Sekhukhune. The Bapedi Missionaries went up the mountain and later the Xhosa izimbizo and Zulu imbizo. The Chief’s monarch was complaining that the infl uence of Boers who had besieged it found their way up. court, at which disputes were tried publicly and the missionaries was undermining his authority. The Bible helped the gun! For instance, that self- every man had the right to attend and speak, was This had been a general dissatisfaction of the same Merensky had a commitment to uphold the the pivot of the legal and political structure.” Black monarchs because the converts no longer authority of the Transvaal Boer Republiek, the (Lerumo. 1971. p3). observed some of the signifi cant customs as well Zuid Afrikansche Republiek (ZAR), and enforce In their praise poem the Bapedi talk about their as tribal obligations and duties. Some of the its taxes over the Bapedi. The ZAR appointed own origins, strengths and tribulations. converts even deserted their people and settled him the Boer representative amongst the Bapedi They say, -: around the mission station. One of such affected (Delius. 1983). “Rena re Bakgatla ba dithebe. Re boa Mohlake, chiefs who also became wary of the missionaries Mohlaka Marole, Mohlopi wa Mmasebutla sa during that era once lamented: Secondly that notoriously trigger-happy and Dimo Seolomathebo, Wa naka dira le magodu. bloodthirsty Abel Erasmus who was a ZAR Nna re bowa phooko le phookwane, Mabje- I like very much to live with the teachers (i.e. Native Commissioner in the Lydenburg district, maramaga mabje magolo ka mabedi e kago mae a missionaries) if they would not take my people, “regarded the kaffi r as the natural enemy of tshilwane. Re Bahlako ba Raphogole ‘a Ngwato. and give them to the Government (probably the the Boer, and himself as the Heaven ordained Rena re Marota ‘a Mahwibidu, digolokwane tsa Boer authorities); for they are my people. Let instrument for maintaining the supremacy of the Tsate, dibolaya di ipolaela, boba tsa Mohlaka. these school people pray for me. How is it that the whites.” (WILSON. 1901. p. 201). The selfsame (Phala. 1935.p.88) Government takes them to spill blood? How is it Erasmus also formed close links with J.A Winter that you teachers take them away? Whenever one of the Berlin Missionary Society. In 1880 Winter 2.The birth of King Sekhukhune believes, he goes away from me. Why is it that restarted the work of the mission in the Pedi you call them to live all in one place? Is it God heartland. He even later founded the Lutheran While the birth of King Sekhukhune to King who tells you to do so? I do not like your method Bapedi Church. (Beinert. 1986. p. 186). Sekwati and his wife Thorometjane Phala in of breaking up my kraal. Let the believing kaffi r 1814 may have gone almost unnoticed he was look to his own country men, and not go away, After Sekwati’s death in 1861, a succession to bring joy, pride, prowess and bravery to the but teach others.4 dispute ensued again between his sons, Mampuru Pedi Nation. When he was born the young boy and Sekhukhune. In 1862 Sekhukhune killed was named Matsebe. He acquired the name An antagonized Sekhukhune began to put strict most of his opponents and forcefully took over the Sekhukhune later in life as a nickname and restrictions on the Bapedi converted Christians. crown whereupon Mampuru fl ed. Mampuru fl ed like all such names it stuck more than and even Matters came to the head when he eventually with the royal “dipheko”3. Sekhukhune pursued over time replaced his real name. The young ousted the missionaries together with the chief’s Mampuru, but spared his life after retrieving Matsebe acquired the name Sekhukhune as a half-brother, Johannes Dinkwanyane, as well the “dipheko”. Ironically, it was going to be consequence of his outstanding role in fi ghts as many Christian converts in November 1864. Mampuru who was going to take Sekhukhune’s against Boers. The Boers used Forts and many The ousted lot settled at Botšhabelo (a place of life, Sekhukhune who is sparing his life now! attacks on the Bapedi to encircle, besiege and refuge). starve them into submission. It was a situation “The Pedi owned large herds of cattle and of permanent siege against the Bapedi. As part Dinkwanyane later left Botšhabelo and settled were skilful manufacturers of iron tools.” of their military strategy they used to block Pedi in the Lydenburg area with his followers. (Van Aswegen. 1990:63) It is because of access to water and food. In this situation the Sekhukhune recognised Dinkwanyane as one of their dependence on cattle for their everyday brave young Matsebe used to move quietly under the Bapedi chiefs. livelihood, that cattle imagery dominated their cover of darkness or forests, a khukhuna, with his language in idioms, praise songs, poetry and trusted lieutenants to get food and water for his Since the Boers established their state in people. This activity was the backbone of Bapedi survival from the scorched earth policy of the

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 10 MAPUNGUBWE News

1852 – the ZAR (Transvaal republic) - one of also expected to accept to be the ZAR subject, The other key part of the process of marriage their main objectives was to subjugate Black whereupon a specifi c location was set aside for diplomacy is wives who are given as tribute to chiefdoms under the authority of their state. They their settlement. Sekhukhune reluctantlyM signed the King by subsidiary tribes, (go loba). The therefore had a systematic plan of attacking and this one-sided agreement. Matebele of Moletlane gave King Sekwati, overthrowing all independent Black chiefdoms It is evident result of the Pedi successes in Tlabane, the daughter of chief Kekana as a token within what they regarded as their state. It is military battles that the Boers and British of their submission. The Bahlaloga ba Moletji against this background that the independent surrounded the entire Sekhukhuneland in Forts. gave two daughters of Kgoshi Moloto, Serole chiefdoms such as the Bapedi were in the Boers’ These heavily armed military posts were installed also known as Konko and her younger sister as plans of being subjugated. Various pretexts to keep the Bapedi in check. Some of the Forts tribute to King Sekwati. (Van Warmelo. 1944. and justifi cations were therefore fabricated by were named Weeber, Victoria, Olifants, Edward, p. 48) the ZAR authorities in executing their plan to Alexandra, Rowlands, Kruger, Wilhelm, Funk vanquish independent Black polities. and Faugh-a- ballagh. The most noteworthy King Sekhukhune I outdid his predecessors and of all of them is Fort Burgers, named after the successors to date on this practice. He married Eventually, on 16 May 1876 the Boers felt that then President of the ZAR Rev. Thomas Francois an outstanding thirty-fi ve wives. They were from the time was ripe for the implementation of their Burgers, which gave birth to the modern town of various tribes as follows:- two from Masemola, plan. They attacked the Bapedi of Sekhukhune. Burgersfort, which remains an ugly monument three from Manganeng, two from Ga-Marishane, It is alleged that war which was long brewing, of Boer savagery in Tubatse, Sekhukhuneland one each from Ga-Mphahlele, Ga-Nkwana, was triggered when Dinkwanyane’s followers to this day. It doubtlessly remains a very strong Ga-Rantshweng, Dinakanyane, Ga-Kgaphola, confi scated a wagon-load of wood belonging case for name change in line with the country’s Kgautswane and Malekane. Pedi Kings also to a certain Boer. When the Boers attacked transformation project. marry as much as possible into Pedi royalty to Dikwanyane, Sekhukhune interceded on his strengthen relations and the royal blood. King behalf, as he had already recognized him as one 1. King Sekhukhune and the Pedi Sekwati married many Pedi royals including one of the Bapedi leaders. The Boers’ assault resulted marriage diplomacy from Magakala. King Sekhukhune also married in the assassination of Dinkwanyane. It was at many Pedi royal daughters including four from Thaba Mosego that the Bapedi enjoyed the upper The Pedi have an age-old saying called ‘go Magakala. King Sekhukhune II had eighteen hand over the Boers because of the impregnable thiba difata,’ meaning to block possible enemies wives. They were two from Ga-Mphahlele, two mountain fortress. by having friendly relations with the bordering from Tladi, one each from Mogashoa, Mampane, tribes and peoples through marriage and other Phaahla, Sepeke Ratau and many royals. (Van As a result the Bapedi consolidated their power friendly ties. All the Pedi Kings adhere to this Warmelo. 1944: 52-54) and fought many battles against the Boer and tradition by marrying into powerful neighbouring It is said that the late Crown Prince Thulare British land-grabbers and settler-colonialists. and bordering tribes who in turn reciprocate the Rhyne Sekhukhune III had four wives including Although they fought on foot with assegais practice. Pedi Kings marry into these tribes and one from Magakala. His mother King- against men on horsebacks using guns, they those chiefs in turn also traditionally marry their regent Mmankopodi Thulare came from Ga- fought heroically. Despite being outweaponed, mabone (candle-wives) from Maroteng. “The Nkadimeng. Prince Thulare’s sisters, Diphala in many battles they defeated the intruders owing practice of marriage diplomacy dates back to a and Mmamerwele, have been married as to their brilliant combination of knowledge of long time ago when King Mampuru attacked and candle-wives by Marota Magakala and Mamone territory, military strategy, bravery and pheko defeated Ba-gaMashabela and the latter sued for respectively. This alone demonstrates their (African war-herb mixtures and bone divinations peace by sending their chief’s son as hostage, he highly signifi cant status dynastically amongst for war purposes). It was during the reign of gave this man his daughter Nthane as a wife, in the entire Bapedi. They are of course the bluest Kings Sekwati and Sekhukhune that the Boer and this way ensuring that the next Mashabela chief of blue-blood being genealogical daughters of Scottish invaders were routed in the continuous will be of Marota blood. By so doing he invented Thulare II, the heir and son of King Sekhukhune warfare with the Bapedi at Vegkop, Phsiring, the practice of linking subordinate tribes to the II. King-regent Mmankopodi Thulare is herself a Tubatse (1846), Thaba Mosega (1876), Magnet Marota tribal wives – a custom which became daughter of Kgosi Ramphelane III and a sister to Heights (1878), Fort Weeber, Fort Burgers, and one of the main pillars of the Pedi Empire.” Kgosi Phaswane III of Batau ba Nkadimeng, of Magnet Heights in 1879. In all these battles the (Boothma. 1976: 182 / Hunt. 1931: 279). Manganeng. This is where King Sekhukhune I is spear defeated the gun. But this system of marriage diplomacy also in fact buried, not far from his sister Mmakgosi takes into account rank. Not just any chief Lekgolane, wife of Kgosi Phaswane II Pedi military might was felt everywhere. It is as a was allowed to marry a Lerota royal wife. He direct consequence of being thoroughly defeated has to have signifi cant status. In all some forty The use of marriage diplomacy in polygamy has by the Bapedi in “1876 that Die Zuid-Afrikaansche tribes get their candle-wives from amongst been useful to the Bapedi in building a nation, Republiek President Thomas Burgers returned to the daughters of the King. The relative status strengthening the empire, consolidating royal Pretoria with his tail between the legs and never of the tribe to some degree is refl ected in the blood, extending their rule and bringing peace. recovered such prestige as he ever possessed and genealogical rank of the women they are given as in due course lost his position to Paul Kruger, candle-wives/ tribal wives. Large and powerful 2. Sekhukhune and the Anglo-Pedi an illiterate backwoodsman whose ugly statue tribes like Masemola, Mphahlele, Nkadimeng war dominates and disfi gures church square, Pretoria, and Magakala are usually given full sisters of the to this day.” (SECHABA. Oct.1982.p.18). king or half sisters of a high rank’. (Boothma – It was because the Bapedi were victorious and 1976: 193 – 4). the Boers were unable to defeat them and that The Boers later re-assembled and then marched this in turn was said to be encouraging African to Sekhukhune capital, Tjate. This time This practice is signifi cant in many ways, instability in the British colonies of Natal and Sekhukhune resorted to diplomacy as he sent including solidifying a nation and strengthening the Cape, that Sir Theophilus Shepstone annexed Reverend Merensky to mediate. In February 1877 fraternal relations. For instance, King Sekwati, the Transvaal on 12 April 1877. It was therefore negotiations were held between Sekhukhune Sekhukhune’s father, had sixteen wives who because of the successes of Sekhukhune in and the Boers. The outcomes of the discussions came from tribes such as Ga-Mphahlele, Ga- building a nation and repulsing intruders, that the went against the Bapedi as they were expected to Matlala, Kgautswane, Ga-Mashabela, Ba- Boers and British thought he had to be defeated. pay the war price with a lot of cattle. They were Binatau, Bakone and many royal daughters. It was after the defeat of the Zulu monarch at

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 11 MAPUNGUBWE News the Battle of Ulundi on the 4th July 1879 that who came to avenge their earlier defeat by VhaVenda and the fearless Hosi Nghunghunyani all available fi ghting men were concentrated in collaborating with the colonizers in the war. It of the Shangaans were even more bloodier the Transvaal to fi ght and fi nish Sekhukhune. is they in fact who by their sheer numbers and because the Whites had discovered that besides Sir Garnet Wolseley brought in Boers, British, knowledge of African warfareM ensured colonial diamond in Kimberly, there is gold on the Reef 8000 Swazi warriors, Mampuru’s soldiers and victory in the war. A Boer soldier in the war, and Welkom, diamond in Cullinan and Pilgrim’s other auxiliaries and began to make fi nal war E. V. Corrie, lovingly describes the Swazi’s as Rest, and everything everywhere else. preparations at Middleburg in October 1879. follows, “before we left Fort Burgers, we were joined by a force of nearly 8000 Swazies, and That is why unlike before they didn’t just arrest It was a major military operation, but the Bapedi, never can anyone who beheld these natives forget Makgoba, they cut his head and took it to like the Amazulu, the Basotho, Vhavenda and their magnifi cent appearance. The Swazie is the Pretoria. This also happened to Inkosi Bambatha others were a military empire. They had a full- perfection of a black warrior, and his war-dress ka Mancinza of the Zondi clan in Natal in 1906. time standing army of around 10 000 men and even fi ner than that of the Zulu kaffi r, our crowd This is a practice that the British were used to trained regiments. They were armed with marumo of 8000 were magnifi cently attired in beautifully- carrying-out in their own country against early (assegais), matsolo, dilepe (axes), melamo dressed leopard-skins and thick head-dresses of trade union organizers or strikers, whose heads (knobkierries) and dikotse (shields). They also black ostrich feathers……Each warrior on his they used to put at factory gates. It is a colonial had around 1500 guns, acquired over time from left arm carries a shield, black, white or striped, practice of a brutally bloodthirsty and barbaric the reign of Kings Thulare, Malekutu, Sekwati according to his regiment, from his waist hangs nature that they carried-out in some British and Sekhukhune, through migrants in mines a kilt of leopard tail, or twisted strips of fur colonies. and the Portuguese at Delagoa Bay. The Pedi and in the right hand is held the short stabbing headquarters of Leolo, Thaba Mosego and Tjate, assegai.”(Kingsey.1973). 3. King Sekhukhune dies were dibo (strongholds) with a lot of caves. The Bapedi even had war-doctor, (ngaka ya marumo) The Bapedi were forced to leave their Tjate The Anglo-Pedi war suffered the Bapedi badly. and war-herbs, (tshidi tsa marumo). That a mountain stronghold and were expected to Sekhukhune himself lost three brothers and many branch of the Bapedi are known as Magakala, is settle on the fl at plains. The Bapedi village on children, including the heir Morwamotshe in the because they fi ght very fi ercely, (ba gaketse), ‘ke the fl at plains was named Manoge and was war. When the war ended he was captured and magadimana ntweng’. given to Mampuru and Nkopodi to lead. A new taken to prison in Pretoria. King Sekhukhune was The Boers and the British as part of their Lutheran station was built next to Tjate. A young released from prison on 08 August 1881 in terms rotten notion of racial superiority under-rated missionary, J.A. Winter was sent to that station, of Article 23 of the Pretoria Convention between Sekhukhune and as such did not understand the but he later tasted the African ways of life, and the Boers and the British following the 1881 Pedi war stratagems. They particularly could not in 1889 founded the Pedi Lutheran Church, as retrocession of the Transvaal. He triumphantly understand how the Bapedi acquired military he broke away from the traditionally European- returned to the Bapedi who were stationed at the tactics and overtime accumulated guns, as Muller oriented Christian teachings. new headquarters at Manoge and took over the confi rms, “the Bapedi King, Sekhukhune, who crown. lived in the mountainous area near Lydenburg, This heroic and historic war like, Isandlwana, has somehow obtained guns and ammunition.” Thaba Bosiu, Songoswi and others were later to This joy was however to be short-lived. On the (Muller. 1981:266) be highlighted, that , “African Communities from night of 13 August 1882 while he was resting the Cape to Limpopo waged heroic resistance to on the veranda of his house his long time rival Interestingly, all offi cers in the Anglo-Pedi war colonial occupation. Despite being outgunned and jealous half-brother, Mampuru, attacked and “wore on their head-dress what was called the they showed rare stoicism in many battles stabbed him with an assegai, killing him. It was Sekhukhune button, a meercat’s tail carefully spanning over two-and-half centuries. However, because Mampuru feared Sekhukhune even in fashioned into a button”. (Kingsey, 1973). their resistance was fragmented among and death that he thereafter fl ed and sought refuge The combined force gathered by Wolseley within various ethnic groups and it could not with the Matebele chief, Nyabela. This brought at Middelburg in October, attacked the Pedi stand the tide of superior armed force backed by to an end the life of one of the most powerful Headquarters at Tjate from all directions on 28 a developed economic and political base of the warrior-kings and an outstanding freedom fi ghter November 1879. They bloodthirstily swarmed imperial powers.” And further because, “their of the people. The ZAR government requested on the Bapedi like hordes from literally all implements and methods of production had not Nyabela to hand over Mampuru, but he refused. sides. The war raged undecided and bloody until advanced, in a historic sense, to a level which The Boer besieged Nyabela for about nine 2nd December 1879. The Pedi warriors fought would enable their communities to withstand months. On 11 July 1883 Nyabela surrendered heroically and very bravely despite huge loses invasion by capitalist states. The early societies and handed over Mampuru. Mampuru was found and big canons and numerous horses brought of Southern Africa were defeated not only by guilty of murdering Sekhukhune and he was against them. His regiment of Makwa did the the superior weapons of the invaders but also by sentenced to death whereupon he was hanged in unimaginable. They threw away the assegais their own backwardness and disunity”. (Lerumo. Pretoria on 22 November 1883. and knobkierries, and took out axes and fought 1971.p. 3). hand-to-hand with the enemy fi ercely to the last Both the Anglo-Zulu and the Anglo-Pedi wars When he died the heir, King Sekhukhune II, man standing. This very heroic incident gave were a direct consequence of the discovery of was still very young and therefore regents were birth to the Pedi saying - Makwa ka dilepe. In diamond in Kimberly circa 1865. Both these appointed one after another as caretakers for the this bitter war both sides suffered substantial wars were the bloodiest, because after this throne until he came of age. Kgoloko acted as casualties. While the British also fell in the battle, discovery the Boers and the British went berserk a regent up to 1893, then Nkopodi/Ramoroka Sekhukhune lost three brothers and nine children, and fought to fi nish. They went mad because acted between 1893 - 1894, then Kgolane including the heir to the throne, Morwamotšhe. they had found out that besides land and cattle took over between 1894 - 1896, followed by The war came to an end on 2nd December 1879 the country is endowed with mineral resources. Thorometjane between 1896 - 1899. Sekhukhune when King Sekhukhune surrendered, was That is why also the wars against the glorious II was installed as King in 1899 and tirelessly captured and taken to prison in Pretoria. Kgosi Maleboho of Bahananwa, the brave Kgosi continued where his predecessor ended. He Makgoba of Batlhalerwa, the heroic Kgosi ruled very well for forty-fi ve years, attended the The war essentially rested on the shoulders of Mokopane of the Matebele and the legendary founding conference of the ANC, belonged to the 8000 to 10 000 Swazi warriors. It is they King Makhado Tshilwavusiku Ramabulana of the the ANC house of chiefs, fought rebellious tribes

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 12 MAPUNGUBWE News and rebuilt the Pedi hegemony. too young. Then the candle-wife chieftainess of the Bapedi is part of our heritage and there Mankopodi Thulare acted until in 1976 when are heritage resources, which can be identifi ed, History repeated itself when King Sekhukhune Bakgomana appointed Kenneth Kgagudi assessed and developed as provided by the 1999 II died in 1943, because his son and heir Thulare Sekhukhune to act. M National Heritage Resources Act. The battlefi eld II had predeceased him in 1941 leaving no son where Kgoši Sekhukhune fought against the and heir. Phatudi, son of Morwamotshe II and Genealogical sequence dictates that King-regent Boers and later the British can be developed into brother to Sekhukhune II acted, and then King- Ramphelane Thulare ably holds the fort for King a resourceful heritage site while other resources regent Morwamotshe III acted until 1965 when Thulare III, who in turn will give birth to King may include the graves of Bapedi chiefs, he passed away, however at that time the heir Morwamotshe IV, then to be succeeded by King missionary buildings, and other related heritage Prince Rhyne Thulare Sekhukhune III was still Sekhukhune IV. It is evident that the rich history resources.

5.

Hosinkulu Nghunghunyani of the Tsonga

as Ka Shangana and they were referred to as love, Vuiazi, the mother of his fi rst born son MaShangana, after Soshangana. Godide. Vuiazi was the prettiest girl from Gaza, her skin was light and almost copper tone with Between 1825 and 1827 Soshangana lived on the slim long limbs, teeth like ivory and a swaying tributary of Nkomati River. From 1827 to 1834 walk. She was the passion of Nghunghunyani‘s his residence was in the lower Limpopo valley. youth when he was still called Mudungazi. Mzila In 1835 he moved with his troops to Musapa , Nghunghunyani ‘s father , refused a marriage in the present day Melsetter District (between between his son and Vuiazi claiming that he Mussurize-Manica and Chipinga), in Zimbabwe. could not allow his son to marry a woman who In 1839 as a result of the small pox epidemic in had so many lovers. She then later disappeared which he lost many of his warriors, he returned to without a trace after bearing Nghunghunyani a
their earlier home in the Limpopo valley, Bileni, son (Ferreira: 8). leaving his son, Mzila, to place the area north of Soshangana was the role model of The Gaza empire was founded by the Nguni Zambezi under his tribute. Nghunghunyani. King Soshangana passed people. During the fi erce wars of extermination away in 1858 and his grandson Nghunghunyani – the Mfecane/Difacane that broke out at the KING NGHUNGHUNYANI (1845 – 50 - was (13) years old. They spent most of the beginning of the 19th century Shaka defeated 1906) time together, and discussing different things, the kingdom of the amaNdwandwe which was ranging from business, politics, economy, led by King Zwide along the Mhlatuze River King Mzila, son of Soshangana was history and social. Most of their time, the two and incorporated them into mighty amaZulu Nghunghunyani’s father and his mother was spent in discussing politics. Soshangana taught kingdom. Soshangana broke away immediately Yoziyo Nhlana. He was born around 1845 - 50 Nghunghunyani a grander and more focused after the defeat of Zwide in 1819 and entered at Bileni in the Gaza Province. He followed his vision, that of uniting all African tribes in the Mozambique around 1820. father wherever was going. In the years, 1850 Southern part of the continent under a single As the Ngunis were excellent warriors with superior and 1858 he stayed at Chaimiti. In 1859 to 1861 Empire. Soshangana saw this as the only way to fi ghting tactics and techniques they dominated, he stayed at Zoutpansberg of the Transvaal. forestall white encroachment. overpowered and eventually incorporated the In 1862 to 1889 he stayed at Musapa Melster Soshangana also taught Nghunghunyani that as indigenous inhabitants comprising the Tsonga, Districts (between Mussurize-Manica and long as there were small clans and tribes scattered Ndzawu (Vandau), Vahlengwe, Vanyai, Varhonga, Chipinga-Zimbabwe). His capital was called around the Sub-Continent, socio-politico- Vachopi (Chopes), Vatshwa, Mashona, Vahlave, Mandlakazi (the power of the women). In 1889 economic development was impossible. The only Vadzonga (Bitongas) and other groups. He led a he fi nally moved his capital to Bileni, where he way in which Africans could protect themselves kingdom of about 500 000 to 2 000 000 subjects renamed his new capital Mandlakazi. from European conquest, Soshangana taught stretching from close to the Nkomati River in As a young man he spent most of his time Nghunghunyani was to establish a completely the south , to the Zambezi and Pungwe Rivers preparing for military training and for new political order: a super state of Africa. in the north, and from the Indian Ocean in the governance. He was also interested in herding East to the Drakensberg and Zoutpansberg cattle. Nghunghunyani had married many King Soshangana was succeeded by his son, , and eastern Zimbabwe in the west; a total of wives. It was said that he had a harem of about Mawewe: 1858 - 61. After a protracted civil approximately 240 000sq km . At the height of its 300 women. (Sons): many of them would live in war, Mawewe was dethroned by his half-brother, power in the 1850s - 1890s, the direct authority huts around the kraal in Mandlakazi, while others Mzila, who ruled the kingdom for twenty three of its rulers extended over the whole of what lived in huts around neighbouring villages. It is years (1861-1884). He died in 1884 and he was today is known as southern Mozambique, large said that Nghunghunyani in spite of acclaimed succeeded by his son, Nghunghunyani in 1884. parts of western Zimbabwe, and Limpopo and sexual appetite he only had about twenty children. King Nghunghunyani was not the only son of Mpumalanga Provinces in the Republic of South Nghunghunyani had three principal wives or King Mzila. There were other brothers like Africa (Liesegang, 1975:2; Myburgh 1949: 75 - favourites. They were as follows: Mafemane and Komokomo. They were eligible 76; Omer-Cooper, 1988:59 - 60). (a) Soniye (Sonie) -Godide; Ndhimande- successors to Mzila as a king. On Mzila‘s death Tomadam Nghunghunyani’s supporters, among them one Soshangana aka Manukuze (1760 – 1858), the (b) Daniye (Vania) Muphisa -Buyinsoto; of the King‘s brothers and few military offi cers son of Zikode was the grandson of Gaza, after (c) Sabeka (Sibaeca) Maweya– acted quickly. Mafemane, the main competitor whom the kingdom was named. He established Thulamahashe. was killed before a major confrontation, like that the capital at Chaimite, that later became a sacred after Soshangana’s death in 1858, could develop. village, and the area where they lived was known Nghunghunyani had many wives but only one The other brother was not attacked. He died from

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 13 MAPUNGUBWE News a sickness or was executed at the court between he sent two of his envoys Matanda Ncoce and 1893 and 1895(Liesegang, 1975:9, Jacques: Mapinda with Rodriques to Lisbon. In Lisbon In June 1891 Britain and Portugal fi nally 1938). Rodriques fi gured as Nghunghunyani‘sM envoys. concluded a treaty recognising that most of the They signed the agreement by which: Gaza lay within the Portuguese frontiers. In The Berlin Conference (a) They consented to fl y the Portuguese protest against failure of the treaty to recognise fl ag; Nghunghunyani‘s independence, he even tried to Nghunghunyani’s reign began a few months (b) To permit only mineral prospectors upset its ratifi cation by sending two of his indunas before the Berlin Conference in February 1885. with the concessions granted by to London to see the Queen. In spite of the treaty, The Conference was aimed at partitioning Portugal. In turn Portugal would; Nghunghunyani still saw Gaza as an independent Africa amongst the dominant colonial nations. (c) Recognise Nghunghunyani’s state, and four more years passed by before the Both Germany and Great Britain coveted jurisdiction largest parts of the entire Nguni kingdom were Mozambique, especially Cecil Rhodes of the (d) And agreed that no Portuguese armed destroyed (Newtt, 1995: 352). British South African Company who wished force should enter the kingdom without to use the Gaza Region and Lorenco Marques the king’s consent. Harbour as transport routes for prime materials Military from the Transvaal. The Conference attracted the A new element introduced at Nghunghunyani’s attention of three of the largest concessionaries court was omitted from the fi nal version of the Early in Nghunghunyani’s reign, he began to who all had an interest in Niassa, The Zambezi and treaty in the following clause: assert his supremacy over the regions which Mozambique. After the conference, Lisbon tried “The Portuguese government will receive in had slipped from Mzila’s grasps. He launched to make up for the wasted time by reoccupying the customs houses of the Province $ 1from a series of attacks on Manyika and extended his larger areas of Mozambique in order to increase every subject of the king returning from a raiding among the Shona. In September 1886 their hold on the coastal regions (Ferreira, 9). foreign country. This will be handed over Gaza regiments attached the chiefs in the region to Nghunghunyani every six months. The of Inhambane. During 1887 Nghunghunyani History has it that Nghunghunyani became a Portuguese will be entitled to add half a pound to continued to maintain his sovereignty over the forthright leader who was always prepapered to the contribution as a remuneration of the service Zambezi region (Newtt, 1995: 351). defend his independence through both military of levying this tax. (Liesegang, 1975: 11-12, and diplomatic means. Newitt, 1995: 349). In 1889 Nghunghunyani shifted his capital from the north to Bileni for fear that he may lose Diplomacy In the following year, the Minister of Foreign control of the Limpopo valley as well as the whole Affairs, Barros Gorness, signed an agreement coastal region between Limpopo and Inhambane. In 1884 after his inauguration as the king of the with the German Chancellor, Bismarck, to From new capital at Mandlakazi departure the Gaza Empire, he realised that the Boers and the demarcate the colonies of both countries. In fi rst delegations of an African Government were British posed a greater threat than the Portuguese 1887, the ‘Pink Map’, as the agreement was sent to overseas for contacts with governments, and that dealing with them in a diplomatic way called, identifi ed Mozambique and Angola namely in London and Lisbon. These delegations was likely to leave him with the greatest freedom being handed to the Portuguese Sovereignty. also established contacts with other African of action. Therefore, Nghunghunyani decided Trying to take advantage of the rivalry of the States. Representatives of European countries to negotiate with the Portuguese governor European Nations, Nghunghunyani, with the such as Portugal were credited in Mandlakazi. of Lourenco Marques rather than with the support of Cecil Rhodes, tried to defend the Important government delegations from London, Zambesian Portuguese independence of his Empire from Portugal. In Lisbon, and Natal, Matabeleland and Swaziland (Rotberg, 306). 1889, Nghunghunyani transferred the Empire‘s and celebrities such as Cecil John Rhodes as Capital from Mussurize to Mandlakazi in the well as traders from Arabia visited this important In 1884 December, the Gaza court contacted south to renounce the claims of the Portuguese capital. In Mandlakazi important decisions were a trader or Commercial agent. J Casalire de on the mines of Manica and to consolidate made by high Military Commanders concerning Algria Rodriques, who had been in Mzila’s the Gaza Empire. Representatives of all the the bloody battles against Portuguese Colonial court before. He was the former Director of the concessionary companies along with Portuguese, Occupation. These battles were fought in the Portuguese Customs house at Angroche. He was British and South African Settlers tried in various following places: Magule, Khuwulele, Balule, consulted about Europeans intentions in Manica. ways to attract Nghunghunyani‘s favour in their Mukhotuene, Mapulagwini and other places Rodriques, before accepting an invitation to visit interests. As was predicted by the agreement with (Nxumalo, 1999:11). . the Gaza court, fi rstly got a consent from the Portugal in 1885, an Administrative General was Governor General, Augusto de Casito in February appointed to the Royal Court (Ferrera, 9, Newitt, 1885. In March 1885 Rodriques left Sofala and 1995: 349). The Tsonga Chiefs Rebellion stayed for about two Months at the Gaza Royal Court before negotiations were concluded. The In retaliation , Nghunghunyani, signed an In August 1884, the Tsonga from the Loureco results of the negotiations were transmitted to agreement with Cecil Rhodes allowing Britain Marques region revolted after repeated abuse Secretary of the Provincial Government in July exploration rights of minerals in Gaza as well from colonial authorities. The chiefs Mahazule, 1885 (Liesegang, 1975:10). access to the sea via his Empire in return Cecil Nwamatibyane and Amgundjuana gathered Rhodes provided Nghunghunyani with a subsidy thousand of warriors and surrounded Loureco The Portugal Government wished to strengthen $500, the gift of 1 000 rifl es and 20 000 rounds Marques for two months in preparation of bonds with the Gaza King by signing an of ammunition. But there was a small problem. an attack on the city. The Governor General, agreement that Nghunhgunyani would not Nghunghunyani signed nothing. The agreement Brigadier Magalhaes Menezes, arrived from swear allegiance to England or ever bear arms was an oral one, later committed to writing by Mozambique Island, the capital of the colony, against Portugal. He, in turn, would be allowed Schulz; the King had cunningly promised to and ordered the rising of trenches and the to maintain his Empire under the supervision of ratify the treaty in writing only when cash and arming of the city’s cannons. He then refused the Government. Nghunghunyani did not want instruments of war had been received (Rotberg, the offer from Cecil Rhodes to act as mediator. to keep the negotiations at the Provincial level; 317). On the 14th October 1894 was able to hold off

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 14 MAPUNGUBWE News the Tsonga attack. The battle resulted in more heavy sacrifi ces that the country had made”. The councillors and accused his uncles and cousins than a hundred casualties. The Revolt of the stalemate continued, Nghunghunyani refused the of treason for abandoning him in battle (Ferrera, Tsonga alarmed Lisbon. The old minister of the ultimatum from the royal Commissioner given 13). navy, Antonio Enes, was sent to Mozambique to him by Jose de Almelda, Mthe secretary of as Royal Commissioner. Having more power the Mozambique Company that it posted in the The Mandlakazi War than Governor General, he brought with him a court. The Portuguese demands implied a total group of offi cials consisting of elite aristocratic submission of the Nguni power. The Nguni would On 11th November 1895 Colonel Galhardo entered members of the army that would pursue their also have to supply the Portuguese with labour, Mandlakazi without any opposition. His cohorts careers in the Colonial Administration. taxes, freedom of movement and allow for the sacked and looted the town with instructions to building of military posts in Nguni Territories. burn everything. Nghunghunyani took refuge in Supporting the pacifi cation of the Gaza Empire Chaimite, the sacred village where the remains of by the armed force, Enes promised Queen Amelia Nghunghunyani decided to ignore the option of Manukuze, the founder of the Gaza Empire, were “To arrest and bring to the feet of her Majesty his councillors and declared that he will only buried. Nghunghunyani began to offer sacrifi ces the famous tyrant of Southern Africa”. He was give up the Tsonga chiefs on the condition that to his ancestors in exchange for their divine of the opinion that “the state mustn’t have any the Portuguese retreat to the other side of the protection. Not only did Antonio Enes want to scruples in compelling and, if necessary, forcing Empire’s border. The Gaza’s Council of Estate capture Nghunghunyani and fulfi l his promise to those rude Blacks of Africa, those ignorant, semi gathered and re-evaluated their situation. They Queen Amelia, but he also feared that the Gaza idiotic savages of the Oceania to work”. As he realised the strength and fi ghting power of the King would rally and reorganise his troops. arrived in Loureco Marques he was preparing Portuguese army and refl ected on the divisions The Colonel then fully empowered the Cavalry for an attack on the Tsongas. He commanded within their own ranks. Georges Liengme could Major, Mouzinho de Albuquerque and appointed Majors Ribeiro Junior and Caldas Xavier to lead do nothing to reconcile the two rivals. Enes him on December 10th as the Governor of Gaza an expedition of 37 offi cials and 800 soldiers to ordered his troops to advance after receiving which has by now become a new military district. Marracuene, on the right bank of the Nkomati reinforcements from Portugal. Nghunghunyani Nghunghunyani in his desperation offers the River. The confrontation occurred on the 2nd of warned Jose de Almeida that he “is going to seek Tsonga Chief Nwamatibyane, who was under February 1895. The Portuguese forces, forming a refuge under another white’s fl ag (white man), his protection, as a peace offering to Mouzinho. square, used the power of cannons and machine but the emissaries sent to (Natal) South Africa Mouzinho ignores the gesture from the Lion of guns to defeat the Tsongas. The Tsonga retreated, brought no help (Ferrera, 12) . Gaza and stated, “it was embedded in my spirit leaving more than 70 dead while the Portuguese that I had to arrest or kill Nghunghunyani” only suffered 24 fatalities and 23 injured The Magule War (Ferrera: 14) (Ferreira, 10-11). On 8th September 1895, armed forces under the In 1894-5 Nghunghunyani accepted, as his commands of Captain Freire de Andrade and Paiva The Chaimite War subjects two Ronga chiefs, Mahazule Mabyaya Couceiro were attacked on route from Lorenco and N’wamatibyani Mpfumo. Mahazule’s people Marques to Mandlakazi by 13 African regiments It was Christmas Day when Mouzinho set off attempted to strip one of his subordinate chiefs of consisting of 6 000 men. The Portuguese soldiers with the intention of capturing Nghunghunyani. some of his territory. The subordinate chief had numbering only 275 men applied a square He only took 2 lieutenants, 49 soldiers and a appealed to the Portuguese offi cial at Anguane formation and surrounded themselves with barb doctor. After a 3 three day forced march through near Lourenco Marques who decided to intervene. wire. The Nguni warriors were decimated. They Gaza, Mouzinho managed to convince some of Since it had always been customary to take some could not compete with Portuguese cannon the local chiefs to help him in his fi ght against of the territory of those chiefs who were more and machine gun fi re. Nguni causalities were Nghunghunyani. On December 26th, Mouzinho distant relatives of the ruling chief in order to substantial while only 5 Portuguese soldiers were saw his fi rst glimpse of Chaimite. The men hand it to closer relatives, this intervention was killed (Ferreira, 12-13). of chiefs allied to Mouzinho were so afraid of probably considered unjust by Mahazule who also the “Lion of Gaza” that they had to be forced resisted an attempt by the Portuguese offi cial at The Coolela War (Khuwulele) to advance at sword point. Mouzinho and his Anguane to have him deported. The governor of offi cers managed to fi nd an opening in the fenced the Lourenco Marques district decided to follow Antonia Enes wished to keep his promise Kraal, but could only enter one at a time. This a hard line. He fi rst sought to induce Mahazule’s to Queen Amelia, therefore he sent Colonel daring action surprised the 300 rifl e bearing neighbours to assist the Portuguese only to learn Eduardo Galhardo with 600 military offi cers, warriors waiting inside the Kraal and induced that another chief, Nwamatimbyani Mfumo, who Portuguese soldiers and 500 African assistants to them in fl eeing. The following was taken from controlled the part of the area near Lourenco capture the Nguni (Gaza) Capital. They were also the report issued by Mouzinho in reporting the Marques, sided with Mahazule. Both had even equipped with 38 combat vehicles and 6 cannons. events of Gaza: On his fi rst encounter with the contacted Nghunghunyani (Liesegang, 1975:11. Estimates have Nghunghunyani’s force at 13 000 Gaza King. “You cannot have any idea how he Jacques. 1938:11 Sihlangu. 1975:22). strong. This was less than third of the size of answer my fi rst question! I ordered that they his original army. Some of his chiefs, including tie his hands behind his back… and told him to Stalemate 3 of his uncles, abandoned him. Magigwana sit. He asked where and because I showed him the Commander in chief of the (Gaza) Nguni the fl oor, he answered that it was dirty. I forced The Tsonga chiefs Nwamatibyane and travelled to Bilene in search of reinforcements. him to sit on a fl oor, telling him that he was Amgunjuana took refuge in Gaza. They were His effort was in vain. The confrontation erupted no more the Mangonis (Nguni’s) Chief(King) now under the protection of Nghunghunyani in Coolela on 7th November 1895. Once again but a Matonga(Tsonga) like any other” After who accepted their vassalage. The Royal the Portuguese soldiers made effi cient use of Nghunghunyani‘s capture, Mouzinho ordered Commissioner demanded that the (Gaza) Nguni their square formation, accompanied with their the execution of Mahune, the Chief Councillor, King surrender the two Tsonga chiefs to him. new arsenal of Kroptascheck rifl es and machine and Queto (Kheto), the Chief’s uncle, believing The chief refused to comply. Lisbon then gave guns. The Portuguese decimated the Nguni them to be the instigators of the rebellion. “I told clear instructions, remanding Antonio Enes army, infl icting heavy casualties, while they only Mahume, to his face, the fact that he was the that “Anything less than the total destruction suffered 5 casualties. Before Nghunghunyani enemy of the Portuguese. To which he answered of Nghunghunyani would not correspond to the gave the order for retreat, he met with his that he knew he had to die. There is no way a

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 15 MAPUNGUBWE News person can die with more cool blood, haughtiness leadership, in 1962 emerged one of the most were prisoners they were known as Reynaldo and heroism: he only said, smiling, it would be respected liberation organization in the world Frederico Gungunhana - King Nghunghunyani, better to untie him so that he could fall when we - FRELIMO. FRELIMO managedM to bring Antonio da Silva Pratas Godide – Godide, Jose short him”( Ferrera, 14-15). together and to unify the people of Mozambique - Mulungu and Roberto Frederico Zichacha - to struggle for freedom. The political vision, Chief N’wamatibyani Mpfumo. Nghunghunyani intellectual and diplomatic of Dr Eduarado died on the 23rd December 1906 the military King Nghunghunyani and his wives on his Chivambo and his knowledge of Mozambique hospital of Angra do Heroismo .It is on record arrest under the colonial rule were pivotal in defi ning that he suffered from a stroke. The Gaza King at Mandlakazi by the Portuguese Government the right strategy for the struggle and within 10 was estimated to be 61 years of age at the time of in 1895 years the people of Mozambique had the joy his death and was buried in the cemetery of Our to start tasting the long awaited freedom, after Lady of Concecido. Less than 5 years prior to the defeat of the Portuguese army (Nxumalo, Nghunghunyani’s death , on a quiet spot of the Mbuyiseni iNkhosi War (Magigwana 1999:8). Langangeiras Road, on the outskirts of Lisbon, Uprising) Mouzinho de Albuquerque, the man that had King Nghunghunyani in exile in Portugal arrested the Lion of Gaza, committed suicide. In 1886, Magigwana Khosa, Nghunghunyani’s The national hero and glorifi ed educator of the general, co ordinated the rebellion against the After a gruelling two month journey from King’s sons killed himself over of the politicians Portuguese government. The main reason of Lourenco Marques, the ship “Africa’ fi nally and monarchy that he had once so loved (Santos, the war was to put pressure on the Portuguese weighed anchor in front of Cacilhas on the Tagus 2005:19). government to bring back the king from River on March 13th 1896. At half past three in Portugal the afternoon, the prisoners were escorted from (Mbuyiseni inkhosi war). On 21 July 1897, the ship to the armoury building in the city. A Portuguese Occupation of Gaza a decisive battle took place in the plain near large crowd gathered to watch the spectacle. The Macontene between Chibuto and Chaimiti. prisoners were then thrown into a cage shaped After the defeat of King Nghunghunyani’s General Magigwana and the Gaza warriors like a carriage and were paraded through the armies on 7th November 1895, the Portuguese were defeated by modern Portuguese weapons. streets of Lisbon. The crowd was thick with began with their occupation of Gaza land. A Magigwana was pursued and later killed two and spectators who hurled comments and insults at Portuguese military post was established on the half weeks later and that complete the crushing of the prisoners as they slowly travelled through banks of Limpopo River and large numbers of the Gaza Empire (Afgbo & others, 1971:237). De Avenue, Palhava, Sete Rios, Benfi ca and Changana Chiefs and headmen were subjected Calhanz towards their fi nal destination, the to their authority. After 1896 no chief was Fortress of Monsato. Many press members were appointed to replace Nghunghunghunyani. The ashamed at the humiliation suffered by these whole of Gaza land was divided into districts The Departure of King Nghunghunyani to prisoners and later protested against the lack of which were under Portuguese rule, while most Portugal action by the police in controlling the crowds. of the dissidents were deported to Portugal. The The curiosity of the people was not yet satisfi ed conquered Changana were spread out in various In January 1896 Joaquin Mouzinho De and the prisoners were kept on exhibition at the districts (Hartman, 2003: 9-10). Albuquerque handed over King Nghunghunyani, Botanical Gardens in Belem, (like wild animals). . his uncles Mulungu and Mpisana his sons This behaviour was also practised by the The Remaining Machangana Godide, Buyisonto, his brother Gidja Maxombye Governor of Mozambique after Nghunghunyani and Nghomunghomu and Chief N’wamatibyani was fi rst captured in Chaimite. He and a part of Mpisana, Nghunghunyani‘s uncle, was then of Zihlahla to the Governor of Lourenco his court were displayed on a platform outside appointed to act as a regent (1895-1910), in the Marques. Before the prisoners of war were the Governor’s home in Lorenco Marques before place of Thulamahashe, the only remaining son of deported to Portugal, King Nghunghunyani, going to Lisbon. How did a man who was ruler King Nghunghunyani who was still a minor. Out of requested the release of his uncle Mpisana, his of the second largest African Empire of the 19th fear for further Portuguese action and repugnance brother Gidja and his generals Maxombye and century end up caged and humiliated like a cowed for the ruthless Portuguese administrative Nghomunghomu, so that Mpisani could perform hunting trophy? (Ferrera, 3). dispensation, the remaining Machangana, under rituals for his family. the leadership of Mpisana, decided to relocate . to the western part of the kingdom, an area that On his departure, King Nghunghunyani They stayed temporarily at Monsanto Castle. was claimed by the Boers of the South African responded to some of the euphoric people amidst In June 1896, they were then transferred to Republic (later called Transvaal). Under those a big crowd who were harassing him: “Go away Acores. This move was meant to prevent the unbearable circumstances, Mpisana picked up you kite and leave our poultry alone”, they prisoners from escaping as well as getting better the pieces and worked hard to keep the royal said. “I am leaving, you have never seen me in accommodation and safety. On the 27th June family and a few of its subjects together. In your houses “he said. “However, I would like 1896, they arrived at Angra do Heroismo. They 1910, Mpisana renounced his regency in favour you to be aware of the fact that you and your were kept in three small rooms inside the S. Joao of Thulamahashe, who was recognized by the wives will be forced to work like slaves. You Baptista Castle where they were sentenced for family council as heir in the absence of all the will be humiliated by these foxes that enjoy high treason (“segundos sargentos”) .From that senior exiled heirs. Viz. Godide and Buyisonto. staying in the water like fi sh. But one day, the time they could go to town and even go hunting (Magubane, 1998:92). king will come from Mandlakazi” in the mountain near the town. At the same Nghunghunyani spent most of his time writing The heir apparent, Godide lived and died in Indeed, 25 years later on 20th June 1920, little and coping books about Portuguese wars. For the Portuguese hands. Actually, his fate is so far not Eduardo Chivambo Mondlana , the boy, the King fi rst three years after their arrest, they spent time properly accounted for. During the First World prophesied, was born exactly in Mandlakazi, four with the Ministers of the Catholic Church. They War, Buyisonto, the second legitimate heir to kilometers away from the battle of Khuwulele. were baptised on 16 April 1899 in the magnifi cent Nghunghunyani’s throne, who had also been Under Dr Eduardo Chivambo Mondlana’s Church of Angra do Heroismo. When they deported together with his father to Portugal, was

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 16 MAPUNGUBWE News released into the hands of the Allied Forces to help On the death of Buyisonto, his rightful successor, The Remains of King Nghunghunyani fi ght the Germans in South West Africa (Namibia). Mafemani, was only seven years old. Isaac Kheto, At the end of the War, Buyisonto escaped from the eldest son of Thulamahashe was appointed as In 1985 as part of the celebration of the 10th South West Africa (Namibia) and landed at Louis regent. Isaac Kheto ruled the tribeM for a period of anniversary of the Independence of Mozambique, Trichardt. In 1922 he eventually found his way to 34 years. Mafemani was offi cially inaugurated as both the President of Portugal, Remalho Eanes, an area then called kaMpisana(Bushbuckridge) , the leader of Machangana on 01 November 1967. and the President of Mozambique ,Samora where he joined the remnants of the royal house Mafemani did not reign for a long time. He died Machel agreed to return the remains of the King and its depleted following. On 30 May 1922 a on 12 December 1973 after being in the offi ce as Nghunghunyani . in a solemn ceremony held on tribal meeting was held and the recommendation leader for six years. Once again, the incumbent June 15th 1985, Nghunghunyani’s remains were of the Royal family that Buyisonto should be to the throne, Mpisane Eric was too young to rule placed in a beautiful wooden coffi n and put on installed as leader replacing Thulamahashe was and Nghobo Mackson Nxumalo was appointed display in the Nobel hall of the Capital Executive adopted with some diffi culty. Buyisonto ruled as regent at the end of 1976. In 1981 Mpisane Council. Later, his remains were moved to the until his death on 12 October 1932. He ruled for Eric Nxumalo was installed as the leader of Fort of Maputo where he now has the enormous only 10 years. Amashangana Tribal Authority to date. statues of Mouziho de Albuqueque and Antonio Ernes (Ferrera, 18). 6.

RAIN QUEEN MODJADJI OF THE BALOBEDU

missionaries had to settle permanently among River, naming it Agatha (after Joubert’s wife). Black communities because of the nature of their The hospital was later moved up the mountain work of spreading the Holy Gospel. close to Mmamatlhola’s capital, and was named New Agatha. The Boer government of the ZAR redrew the boundaries of the Transvaal in 1885. As a result, The infl ux of the Whites in the Lowveld which the Zoutpansberg region was then subdivided was deliberately and consciously encouraged into four regions, with Barend Vorster as the by the ZAR authorities soon resulted in friction commandant of the whole Zoutpansberg region. between the Whites and the indigenous Black The royal house of the Balobedu is renowned One of the ZAR laws on land was that every communities. This was inevitable because the for its mysterious powers of rainmaking. The Boer who settled in the Transvaal before 1877 Whites randomly occupied land which belonged Balobedu successive queens, have been feared was entitled to a farm free of charge. This was to the Black communities. This was because the and respected by other communities for these intended to lure Whites to settle in the ZAR, ZAR Boers regarded the whole Transvaal as powers. It is said that even the feared Zulus of including in the Lowveld. It appears that the theirs and the Black communities were regarded Shaka, respected the Balobedu, and occasionally ZAR government of the Boers was anxious to as their subjects. In an attempt to formalise its sent gifts as tokens of awe and respect. The have large numbers of Whites occupying land location policy, the ZAR government appointed Balobedu rain queens bear the name Modjadji in order to counter-balance the large majority of the Location Commission in 1882 and in about and it is hereditary. The successive rulers Black communities. To this effect, in 1886, the 1888 it began to allocate farms to the Whites, are distinguished as Rain Queen Modjadji I, ZAR government promulgated Act No. 8, the so- and this further alienated the Black communities. II, III, etc. Like most of the Bantu-speaking called “Occupation Act for State Land” in order, After erecting the beacons for White farms, communities found in South Africa today, the among other things, to encourage the Whites Kgoši Makgoba and his people destroyed them. Balobedu originated from central Africa. Their to occupy the Zoutpansberg which was still The then Commissioner for Native Affairs in the culture as well as other customs, especially their sparsely populated by the Whites, but densely Zoutpansberg (Northern) Division, Oscar Dahl, language, indicates that they are closely related populated by the indigenous Black communities. negotiated with Makgoba, but the latter refused to the Venda, or at least they originated from the According to this Act, White farmers would get to even pay what was regarded as a fi ne against same group. Both these groups have their origins these farms free on condition that they occupied him. Makgoba was later arrested and a large herd and attachments with the former Great Zimbabwe them permanently. Another condition was that of cattle was seized from him. He was imprisoned and Mapungubwe kingdoms. The Balobedu have such occupant was obliged to do commando in Fort Klipdam. Makgoba escaped from prison a pig (kolobe) as their totem. As they migrated work. by digging a hole under the wall of his cell. southwards, they eventually settled in the Lowveld area where they later came in contact The gold discoveries in the Lowveld in the Rain Queen Modjadji refused the ZAR location with colonial forces. 1870s also drew White people to that area. The policies to be applied on her country. She also The arrival of the Whites in the in the Lowveld movement of Whites into the Lowveld resulted refused to allow tax to be collected in her area. caused frictions because the area was already in the founding of the town, Haenertsburg in When the ZAR threatened to punish her for what occupied by Black communities such as the 1887. The mining in the Lowveld also attracted they believed she was wrong, she threatened to Balobedu, Batlhalerwa, and so on. According foreign Whites. Selati Goldfi elds and Leydsdorp kill Reverend Reuter who was doing missionary to the available records, between 1868 and were other White centres which came into being work in her country, as well as all his Christian 1871, there was no permanent settlement by due to White infl ux into the Lowveld. The White converts. Europeans in the Lowveld, except the White infl ux into the Lowveld was also boosted in travelers, hunters, traders and explorers. The fi rst 1889 when C.H. Zeedeberg established a Mail In addition to the Batlhalerwa of Makgoba and European to settle in the Lowveld area, according Coach Service from Pietersburg to Leydsdorp the Balobedu of Modjadji, the other chiefdoms to available records, was Reverend Fritz Reuter via Haenertsburg. However, life was not pleasant in the Lowveld were also up in arms as they were of the Berlin Missionary Society. Reuter settled for the White settlers in the Lowveld because furious about the continued occupation of their among the Balobedu where he established the of malaria. The malaria scourge tormented the land by the Whites. As the Whites continued mission station, Medingen in 1881. Unlike the Whites and C.J. Joubert led the government to settle there, the Black chiefdoms gradually European hunters, travelers and traders, the efforts to build a hospital next to the Thabina realised that they had to arm and attack the

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 17 MAPUNGUBWE News intruding Whites. Therefore a stage was set for that time, the Lowveld chiefdoms of Makgoba, confrontation. As the Black communities began Modjadji, Maupa, Tsolobolo, Maphita, Mashuti, On 20 September, Modjadji, together with her to harass the intruding Whites, the White farmers Mmamatlhola and Mogoboya had done an indunas, surrendered without a fi ght after one complained to the ZAR government which lured irreparable damage to the WhiteM farmers who shot was fi red towards the royal kraal. A large them into occupying those farms. As a result, on were on the run. amount of guns, hand weapons were discovered. 14 February 1891, Veldcornet Alberts drew up a Modjadji was brought down to the Boer laager, in petition signed by 119 White farmers requesting After the end of the Malebogo War, Commandant- which further instructions were issued by Joubert. the ZAR government for intervention. There General Piet Joubert assembled a number of The Whites were curiously waiting to see for the were also reports that the Black communities commandos in Pietersburg on 10 August 1894. fi rst time, the mysterious Queen with rainmaking in the Lowveld were arming in preparation of Other commandos from Lydenberg, Middleburg, powers, whom some were told that she was a attack on the Whites and that Modjadji had sent Rustenberg, Marico and Ermelo, as well as the White person, or at least was half-White. In sharp her agents to procure arms from Portuguese at Tsonga warriors under Adolf Schiel, were called. contrast to what they expected, an old Black Delagoa Bay. Joubert then led a strong force into the Lowveld. woman emerged to conduct negotiation with the On their march in the Lowveld, Joubert’s Boers and that effectively ended the Modjadji As the situation in the Lowveld continued to assembled forces defeated the small chiefdoms war. It is still not clear whether that old, woman deteriorate, the ZAR appointed another Location of Mmamatlhola, Mašhuti and Mogoboya. They was actually the legendary Rain Queen Modjadji. Commission in June 1892 – in addition to those also faced the warriors of Maupa, Letswalo of One of the principal indunas of Modjadji was of 1882 and 1888 – to defi ne the boundaries Tsolobolo, and Maphita. Joubert forces then to be taken to Pretoria to appear before court. between the Blacks and Whites. The commission, confronted the Batlhalerwa of Kgoši Makgoba, Modjadji people were fi ned 5 pounds per family under H.P.N Pretorius, arrived in the Lowveld whom they defeated with a regiment of 1 000 head and the sum amounted to 7 500 pounds, in July. The commission completed its task Whites and 3000 Blacks (including the Swazis which it was paid in cattle. at the end of the year and they informed the who played a major role in the eventual capture Black chiefdoms what they defi ned as their new of Makgoba). One of the longest reigning Rain Queens in locations. The Black chiefdoms rejected what the history of the Balobedu was Mokope, Rain they were informed by the commission and they Rain Queen Modjadji, who was not a loyal Queen V. After her long reigning period, she immediately began to attack the White farms and subject of the ZAR, was perceived to have been died in the Year 2000. She was then succeeded as a result, many White farmers abandoned their harbouring their enemies’ refugees and livestock. by a relatively young Rain Queen VI, Makobo. farms. The ZAR government even considered On 11 September 1895 Joubert met Black indunas Unfortunately, Makobo herself did not rule for abandoning the whole of the Lowveld because of about the hostile nature of Modjadji in which he a long time and she passed away at an early the brutal attacks infl icted on its subjects by the gave the order that Modjadji should surrender age in 2005. These are the successive Modjadji Lowveld Black communities. refugees, weapons and livestock. After Modjadji Rain Queens: Modjadji I – Maselekwane (1800 failed to comply with that instruction, the War -1854); Modjadji II – Masalanabo (1854 – 1895); Another factor which led the ZAR to consider Council decided, at the meeting on 16 September Modjadji III – Khesethwane (1896 – 1959); abandoning the Lowveld was the war which was on the bank of the Brandboontjies River, to attack Modjadji IV – Makoma (1960 – 1980); taking place in the Blouberg area between the Modjadji on the next day, September 17. On the Modjadji V – Mokope (1982 - 2001); and ZAR and the Bahananwa of Kgoši Malebogo. set date, the commando started to march up to the Modjadji VI – Makobo (2003 – 2005). The ZAR was unable to deal with the situation Modjadji capital. Heavy rains poured preventing in the Lowveld effectively because almost all its operations against Modjadji. This strengthened forces were concentrated in Blouberg. However, the belief that in actual fact Modjadji had the things later turned out positively for the ZAR as rainmaking powers which she was even able to the Malebogo War ended on 31 July 1894. At employ to ward off her enemies.

7.

Kgoši Makgoba of the Batlhalerwa the Makgoba Mountains and Letaba River. As Black communities because of the nature of their their name indicates, it would seem probable that work of spreading the Holy Gospel. they have letlhalerwa (wild dog) as their totem. The government of the ZAR redrew the The arrival of the Whites in the country of the boundaries of the Transvaal in 1885. As a result, Batlhalerwa in the Lowveld caused frictions. the Zoutpansberg region was then subdivided According to the available records, between 1868 into four regions, with Bared Vorster as the and 1871, there was no permanent settlement by commandant of the whole Zoutpansberg region. Europeans in the Lowveld, except the White One of the ZAR laws on land was that every travelers, hunters, traders and explorers. The fi rst Boer who settled in the Transvaal before 1877 Kgoshi Makgoba is known for resisted the European to settle in the Lowveld area, according was entitled to a farm. This was intended to lure attack by the ZAR government from the mid to available records, was Reverend Fritz Reuter Whites to settle in the ZAR, including in the 19th century. The clash between the people of of the Berlin Missionary Society. Reuter settled Lowveld. It appears that the ZAR government Makgoba and the Boer government took place among the Balobedu of the legendary Rain of the Boers was anxious to have anxious to almost at the same time with that against the Queen Modjadji where he established the large numbers of Whites occupying land in Bahananwa of Kgoshi. mission station, Medingen in 1881. Unlike the order to counter-balance the large majority of European hunters, travelers and traders, the Black communities. To this effect, in 1886, the The Batlhalerwa occupied the Lowveld around missionaries had to settle permanently among ZAR government promulgated Act No. 8, the so-

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 18 MAPUNGUBWE News called “Occupation Act for State Land” in order, regarded as a fi ne against him. The ZAR was unable to deal with the situation among other things, to encourage the Whites in the Lowveld effectively because almost all its to occupy the Zoutpansberg which was still Makgoba was later arrested andM a large herd of forces were concentrated in Blouberg. However, sparsely populated by the Whites, but densely cattle was seized from him. He WAS imprisoned things later turned out positively for the ZAR as populated by the indigenous Black communities. in Fort Klipdam. Makgoba escaped from prison the Malebogo War ended on 31 July 1894. At According to this Act, White farmers would get by digging a hole under the wall of his cell. In the that time, the Lowveld chiefdoms of Makgoba, these farms free on condition that they occupy meantime, Makgoba’s neighbour, Rain Queen Modjadji, Maupa, Tsolobolo, Maphita, Mashuti, them permanently. Another condition was that Modjadji refused the ZAR location policies to be Mamatlhola and Mogoboya had done an such occupant was obliged to do commando applied on her country. She also refused to allow irreparable damage to the White farmers who work. tax to be collected in her area. When the ZAR were on the run. threatened to punish her for what they believed Commadant-General Piet Joubert led the ZAR The gold discoveries in the Lowveld in the she was wrong, she threatened to kill Reverend forces against the Lowveld chiefdoms, including 1870s also drew White people to that area. The Reuter who was doing missionary work in her Kgoshi Makgoba. movement of Whites into the Lowveld resulted country, as well as all his Christian converts. After the end of the Maebogo War, Commandant- in the founding of the town, Haenertsburg in General Piet Joubert assembled a number of 1887. The mining in the Lowveld also attracted In addition to the Batlhalerwa and the Balobedu commandos in Pietersburg on 10 August 1894. foreign Whites. Selati Goldfi elds and Leydsdorp of Modjajdi, the other chiefdoms in the Lowveld Other commandos from Lydenburg, Middelburg, were other White centres which came into being were also up in arms as they were furious about Rustenburg, Marico and Ermelo, as well as due to White infl ux into the Lowveld. The White the continued occupation of their land by the the Tsonga warriors under Adolf Schiel, were infl ux into the Lowveld was also boosted in1889 Whites. As the Whites continued to settle there, called. Joubert then led a strong force into the when C.H. Zeedeberg established a Mail Coach the Black chiefdoms gradually realized that Lowveld. On their march towards Makgoba’s Service from Pietersburg to Leydsdorp via they had to arm and attack the intruding Whites. country, Joubert’s assembled forces defeated Haenertsburg. However, life was not pleasant Therefore a stage was set for confrontation. the small chiefdoms of Mamatlhola , Mausuti for the White settlers in the Lowveld because As the Black communities began to harass the and Mogoboya. They also faced the warriors of of malaria. The malaria scourge tormented the intruding Whites, the White farmers complained Maupa, Letswalo of Tsolobolo, and Maphita. Whites and C.J. Joubert led the government to the ZAR government which lured them efforts to build a hospital next to the Thabina into occupying those farms. As a result, on 14 Khoshi Makgoba, who was called “The Lion of River, naming it Agatha (after Joubert’s wife). February 1891, Veldcornet Alberts drew up a the Woodbush” continued to harass the Whites in The hospital was later was later moved up the petition signed by 119 White farmers requesting his area and Joubert and the Native Commissioner mountain close to Mamatlhola’s capital, and was the ZAR government for intervention. There of Zoutpansberg, Barend Vorster, asked the named New Agatha. were also reports that the Black communities native commissioners of Lydenburg, Pietesburg, in the Lowveld were arming in preparation of Waterberg and Spelonken to bring long Black Barend ‘Swart” Vorster was the Native attack on the Whites and that Modjadji had sent corps from their districts and altogether, a force Commissioner of the Zoutpansberg region of the her agents to procure arms from Portuguese at of 1 000 Whites and 3 000 Blacks was assembled ZAR when tensions mounted between the Black Delagoa Bay. against Makgoba. chiefdoms in the Lowveld (including Kgoshi Makgoba was sent an ultimatum but his guards Makgoba) and the ZAR Boers. As the situation in the Lowveld continued to refused the messengers to pass through. The deteriorate, the ZAR appointed another Location combined forces then attacked Makgoba from Commission in June 1892 – in addition to those all directions from 03 June 1895. The Black The infl ux of the Whites in the Lowveld which of 1882 and 1888 – to defi ne the boundaries warriors in the combined force against Makgoba was deliberately and consciously encouraged between the Blacks and Whites. The commission, wore white bans round their heads to distinguish by the ZAR authorities, soon resulted in friction under H.P.N Pretorius, arrived in the Lowveld themselves from Makgoba’s men. However, between the Whites a d the indigenous Black in July. The commission completed its task his strategy was frustrated when a section of communities. This was inevitable because the at the end of the year and they informed the Makgoba’s warriors also wore white headbands, Whites randomly occupied land which belonged Black chiefdoms what they defi ned as their new thus taking their enemies by surprise. to the Black communities. This was because locations. The Black chiefdoms rejected what the ZAR Boers regarded the whole Transvaal they were informed by the commission and they The Native Commissioner Leydenburg, Abel as theirs as theirs and the Black communities immediately began to attack the White farms. Erasmus, brought the Swazi warriors who were regarded as their subjects. In an attempt Kgoshi Makgoba took the lead in attacking immediately entered the forest searching for to formalize its location policy, the ZAR these White farms. The ZAR government even Makgoba. The Swazis succeeded to capture government appointed the Location Commission considered abandoning the whole of the Lowveld Makgoba’s wife and under duress, she showed in 1882 and about in 1888 it began to allocate because of the brutal attacks infl icted on its them were Makgoba was hiding. After a fi erce farms to the Whites, and this further alienated the subjects by the Lowveld Black communities resistance, Makgoba was captured and the Black communities. After erecting the beacons such as the Batlhalerwa of Kgoshi Makgoba. Swazis killed him and chopped off his head, for White farms, Kgoshi Makgoba and his which they took back to Joubert, thus ending the people destroyed them. The then Commissioner Another factor which led the ZAR to consider war. The remnants of the chiefdoms of Makgoba, for Native Affairs in the Zoutpansberg (Northern) abandoning the Lowveld was the war which was Tsolobolo, and Mamatlhola were taken to a new Division, Oscar Dahl, negotiated with Makgoba, taking place in the Blouberg area between the place near Pretoria. but the latter refused to even pay what was ZAR and the Bahananwa of Kgoshi Malebogo. “The information is a collection of the work of historian Tlou Setumu” The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 19 MAPUNGUBWE News PROVINCIAL HERITAGEM SITES 1. TJATE PROVINCIAL HERITAGE SITE. world through ritual and appeasement offerings at the eventually retreated, abandoning Schoemansdal. The Boers 2. SOUTINI-BALENI PROVINCIAL sacred dry leadwood tree (the shrine) – tangible or living retreated to Marabastad in the vicinity of the present-day HERITAGE SITE. heritage. The natural fountain is signifi cant to a broader Polokwane. To the Venda, this was a signifi cant victory 3. DZATA PROVINCIAL HERITAGE SITE. indigenous community (then only the salt makers) because against the Boers who intended to subjugate them. 4. MALEBOGO-BOER WAR BATTLEFIELDS of its mythical character. It is referred to as Mukhulu PROVINCIAL HERITAGE SITE. According to available sources, Makhado was born The cultural landscape at Baleni includes ancient salt between 1830 and 1840, and was the son of Khosi 1. TJATE PROVINCIAL HERITAGE SITE. mounds, which date back to 250AD and which cover an Mphephu Ramabulana and his wife Lemani. He worked as area of 1.5 to 2 km in radius from the fountain eye. The a labourer on White owned farms and also, importantly, as Location. modern salt production siteand the shrine, are also part of a tracker for elephant hunters. He was such a good assistant the cultural landscape. Oral history abounds and because and gun carrier that the hunters taught him to use a gun This valley lies east of the Leolo Mountain and west of of all the myths, legends and other stories that are well and he became a good shot. He also earned their trust to Tjate and Modimolle hills on the farms Dsjate 249 KT and known to all the people in surrounding communities and such an extent that they gave him and his men guns to hunt Hackney 116 KT and south of the road from Mosego to regularly told to visitors, the place and the fountain is a on their own. Many of these guns were never returned, Swale. On the other hand one must realise that the events sacred site. Intangible heritage abounds and were later to be used against their attacking enemies, during the Sekhukhune War cover a large portion of what particularly the Boers. is today known as Sekhukhuneland, but also links up with Besides being a sacred site, it is especially a gendered site, Burgersfort, Steelpoort and eventually with Mapochs’ because salt making is an activity that only the women When Ramabulana died in 1864, Makhado’s brother, caves at Roossenekal and Botshabelo near Middelburg. practice. All the information, the indigenous technology Davhana, was supposed to take over the reigns. However, and the oral traditions are transferred from one generation Makhado succeeded to take over power whereupon his Signifi cance. to the next. Of the many indigenous people mentioned in brother fl ed. During his reign, troubles with the ZAR the prayers, who made salt at Baleni and who acknowledged government surfaced when he refused census among Kgoši Sekhukhune’s long and bitter struggle against the the sacredness of the fountain, the following are mentioned his people, while he also refused to pay ZAR taxes. The Boers between 1876 and 1878, distinguished him to be one in the oral tradition: VaKaranga, BaNyai, Balemba, Boers, just like in all instances, regarded this as defi ance of of the brave and shrewd Black leaders of the same class VaVenda, BoLobedu, VaTsonga. their authority and then they waged war against Makhado, as Shaka, Moshweshwe and many others. During that which led to their humiliating retreat in 1867. protracted war, the Boers were humiliated by the Bapedi, Traditional Ecological Knowledge abounds amongst the particularly at Thaba Mosego, but were later defeated by elders, specifi cally the traditional women, who lived in Khosi Makhado died on 11 September 1895. After the death the British in 1879 with a powerful force under Sir Garnet close interaction with their natural environment, because of the powerful Makhado, the Boers were able to return to Wolseley, which included their Swazi allies. they were dependant of it. the north four years later, to establish another small town not far from the abandoned Schoemansdal, naming it Louis The Bapedi originated from the Bahurutse branch of the 3. DZATA PROVINCIAL HERITAGE SITE. Trichardt, after another pioneering Voortrekker leader. Bakgatla in the present day Botswana, but they broke away and eventually settled in the eastern Transvaal around the Location. 4. MALEBOGO-BOER WAR BATTLEFIELDS Tubatse (Steelpoort) River and Leolo Mountains. In their PROVINCIAL HERITAGE SITE. new settlement, the Bapedi prominent leaders included Dzata is located in the eastern section of the Thobele, Thulare, Sekwati, and Sekhukhune. Soutpansberg mountain range in Vhembe Location. District, in the north eastern part of Limpopo The fi rst missionary to visit Sekwati was a Lutheran of Province. It lies adjacent to the Nzhelele Valley, This vast site is about 60km from the small town of the Berlin Missionary Society, Alexander Merensky, in some 40 kilometres to the west of Thohoyandou Senwabarwana. This site covers a huge area because of the 1860. Merensky was later followed by other missionaries, near the offi ces of the Mphephu Tribal Authority nature of the war between the Bahananwa and the Boers Grutzner, Nachtigal and Endemann. The fi rst mission The southern section of the reserve lies on in which the Boers established tents all over the area in station to be built was Gerlarchschoop and later Kgalatlou the southern foothill of the mountain, preparation of the assault. The vast site covers the farms was built. immediately north of the village of Ha Leipzig 264, Buffelshoek 261, Beauly 280, The Grange Mandiwana. It then proceeds up and over the 257, Wiltstein 256 and Veredig. After Sekwati’s death, a succession dispute ensued mountain into the raised valley lying to the between his sons, Mampuru and Sekhukhune. Sekhukhune west of Tshiendeulu Village. The western Signifi cance. forcefully took over the crown whereupon Mampuru boundary is at the peak given as Ha-Mandiwana, fl ed. The relationship between the missionaries and while the eastern boundary runs between the Kgoši Malebogo was involved in a bitter struggle against Sekhukhune began to deteriorate until the missionaries mountains indicated as Tshamilora the White encroachment on his land towards the end of were ousted together with the chief’s half-brother, Johannes and Gumbila. the 19th century. The Boers, who had established their Dinkwanyane, as well as many Christian converts. They republic, the ZAR in the north, were determined to settled at Botšhabelo (a place of refuge). Signifi cance. subjugate all Black chiefdoms. The then Commissioner for Native Affairs in Zoutpansberg (Nothern) Division, Swart 2. SOUTINI-BALENI PROVINCIAL Among the original places where the fi rst Dzata settlers Barend Voster, who was based in Kalkbank, set the stage HERITAGE SITE. came from was Tshiendeulu, and Khosi Netshiendeulu was for the war by insisting that the Bahananwa should meet one of the earlier leaders. The son of chief Dimbanyika, who the ZAR’s demands. The then ZAR president, Paul Kruger, Location. was called Dyambeu, built the chief’s village at Nzhelele. instructed Commandant-General Piet Joubert to lead the After his father (Dimbanyika) passed away at Tshiendeulu Boer forces to attackthe Bahananwa. Soutini Baleni is situated 25 km further east of Nkomo- he moved to Nzhelele where he built his settlement. These Goxani village near Mahumani vile on the southern bank people moved from Tshiendeulu to Nhzelele in about Piet Joubert assembled a strong force of the commandos of Klein Letaba River under the Mahumani Traditional 1723.They settled and lived at Dzata until about 1760. The from Rustenburg, Marico, Zoutpansberg as well as the allies Authority in Greater Giyani Municipality, Mopani District groups that were around that area at that time, like all the of Black chiefdoms such as the Matebele of Langa and the Municipality, about 35km on the eastern side of Kruger Bantu-speaking communities, had migrated from northern Bakone of Matlala and attacked the Bahanawa. Malebogo National Park. and central parts of Africa. The communities which settled put up a very strong resistance, but with such strong force in the Dzata and surrounding areas, are the ancestors of the and heavy weaponry against him, he fi nally surrendered present Venda people as we know them today on 31 July 1894. Kgoši Malebogo was taken to Pretoria as Signifi cance. prisoner. During his imprisonment, the Bahananwa were One of the most revered leaders who was a descendent ruled by his mother Mmaseketa, Maemeletša and Sephuti. Baleni-Soutini hot mineral spring (geo-thermal spring) is from Dzata was Khosi Makhado. Khosi Makhado was Kgoši Malebogo was released in 1900 during the Anglo- a unique natural feature in the otherwise arid Mopane veld regarded by the colonial forces as “the troublesome Venda Boer War and he continued to rule his people until his wilderness, south east of Giyani, in Mopani District. It has chief” because of his power and their inability to defeat death in 1939. been declared as a Natural Heritage Site (1999), because him. Makhado was indeed powerful as he settled in the of its unique ecology. It is a hot spring of which the water mountainous stronghold which made it diffi cult, if not Kgoši Malebogo’s remarkable contribution to the history has got mineral contents. A species of fi sh, the stunted impossible, for his enemies to dislodge him. His position of South Africa is perhaps his resistance against colonial population of Mozambique (Oreochromis mossambicus) was also strengthened by a string of alliances he forged forces. After the Boers regained the independence of the lives in the fountain. The surrounding swamp is covered with other strong Black chiefs like Sekhukhune and ZAR (Transvaal) from the British in 1881, they intended by mostly by bulrushes and reeds. Malebogo. to subjugate all the Black communities in the Transvaal, including the Bahananwa. The refusal of the Bahananwa to Indigenous people have made salt at this fountain for the After establishing the ZAR government following the submit under the ZAR government and to pay taxes led to past 2000 years according to archaeological excavations. 1852 Sand River Convention, the Boers set themselves a the Bahananwa-Boer War of 1894. Stone tools also tell us that stone age people have been task to subjugate Black chiefdoms. This task proved to be a active at Baleni. There are three similar fountains in Mopani hard nut to crack when they eventually arrived in the north, The history of the Bahananwa forms an integral part of District Municipality, but all three have been destroyed by coming face to face with Makhado. our national heritage and should be identifi ed, developed developmental activities. Baleni-Soutini is thus the only and preserved for future generations. In addition to the rich salt production site, where indigenous people harvested The Voortrekkers had established their settlement next to history of the Bahananwa, the adjacent Blouberg areas are salt according to indigenous technologies, practices and the Venda chiefdom, naming it Schoemansdal, and this set richly endowed with cultural and natural resources. The customs. Every winter local traditional women still produce out a scene for direct confrontation. By 1867, the Boers rock art paintings, which are found in the Makgabeng and salt at Baleni. Traditional customs which accompany the had assembled a formidable force under the command Blouberg Mountains, indicate that the Khoisan people salt making process, include interaction with the ancestral of Paul Kruger. A fi erce war ensured in which the Boers were the earliest inhabitants of the area.

The heartland of southern Africa - development is about people! 20