Pondos

The Mpondo People, or simply Ama-Mpondo, is a kingdom in what is now the Eastern Cape.Mpondo people
Encyclopædia Britannica (2007)
It was established in 1226. The Ama-Mpondo Nation was first ruled by its founder who was King Mpondo kaNjanya who lived around (born in 1205 and died in 1280) and later the 'Ama-Nyawuza' clan (a royal clan of the Ama-Mpondo), by nationality referred to themselves as 'Ama-Mpondo'. They are related to other Aba-Mbo kingdoms and chiefdoms in South Africa.

Origins

The story of the origins of ema-Mpondweni was told to personify and symbolise the fact that it was a nation with lands shaped like a horn, when it includes the lands ema-Mpondomiseni, and to make it easier for telling ''Iintsomi'', meaning educative stories. Taking Mpondo as the son since it was used for defending and Mpondomise as the daughter since it was used for attacking and negotiation. Thus according to the Mpondo oral tradition, they are the legendary descendants of King Mpondo, the grandson of King Sibiside who was the leader of the once-powerful Embo nation (Aba-Mbo or Ma-Mbo). Mpondo people are part of the Aba-Mbo group who are thought to have migrated from the Great Lakes into modern-day South Africa or the race of people coming from Ethiopia and along Zambia down past Eswatini, believed to be under the Great Kingdom of Kush. This is evident from the ruling plant in the coast south-east of Africa and north-west of Madagascar, the marijuana plant. It grows in abundance from ema-Mpondweni up the coast and the coast of Madagascar. It is through king Sibiside that Mpondo the forefather of the nation emerges together with other well-known nations. Mpondo people share a common lineage with Ama-Mpondomise, Ama-Xesibe, Abakwa-Mkhize, Ama-Bomvu and Ama-Bomvana.

King Sibiside's offspring:
# Mavovo ( King Sibiside's heir and father of the Mkhize clan)
# Gubhela (his descendants also call themselves abakwa-Mkhize)
# Nomafu (Ama-Bomvu and Ama-Bomvana)
# Njanya (Ama-Mpondo, Ama-Mpondomise, Ama-Xesibe)

Mpondo and Mpondomise were twins. There is an ongoing argument about the twin who was the eldest, the most commonly held view is that Mpondo is the senior twin. It is said that while out hunting, Mpondo killed a lion and refused to hand over the skin to Mpondomise as was the custom (the senior was entitled to skins of certain animals). The tension between the two started from that day and Mpondo and his followers were the first ones to leave and settle elsewhere away from their father's land.

Shaka's invasion on AmaMpondo

The invasion of Shaka in Mpondoland started like this, in 1824 in those period of wars called Mfecane the war was waged against the Mpondo kingdom, who stood on their ground and successfully repelled the invaders to an extent that the survivors starved and lost their cattle and those who didn't have any food died of starvation on the way going back to zululand. The situation forced them to eat wild water melons (Amabhece in zulu, ujodo in isimpondo) hence that war was known as impi yama Bhece. Another Zulu invasion occurred in 1828 but before the war we had a white messenger from Zulu by the name of Henry Fynn who came from Zululand,the Mpondo were bit suspicious of him, he sent a message that the Zulu army is coming stronger than before. King Faku prepared his army, taking women and children hiding them in the mngazi forests westside of Mzimvubu river. While Fakus eldest son Prince Ndamase who was also the general of the Mpondo army trained and leds the army, indeed the Zulu army came and it had a white army in it who were using modern technology weapons of wars. Faku observation and other chiefs of Mpondo saw how powerful and dangerous these western weapons ammunition. Faku decided to use his super natural powers(it's said he used wild dogs hyenas to eat them)to disperse and drove the Zulu and their counterparts back to Natal. Then the third Zulu invasion was repealed at Mthavuna river Faku was angry he didn't want them closer to even step their foot in Mpondland his traditional healer used magical african powers to prevent the Zulus from crossing over the Mthavuna river he did all that successful. There were many wars fought in those times Mpondo fought Abathembu of Ngoza, Amazizi, Amabhaca, amaXhosa, Amaqwabe, Abathembu of Ngubengcuka, Amampondomise to an extent that Mpondoland got newlands making it starts from Mbhashe rivers all way up to Tukela river. Faku even to this day Mpondo people pride themselves that they belong to the land of Faku. A worrier, a diplomat a King of Amampondo.

Ama-Mpondo-Kingdom

The great house of Mpondo is called Ndimakude Great Palace and is situated in Flagstaff, Eastern Cape. The right-hand house is called Nyandeni Great Place and is situated in Libode, Eastern Cape. The Nyandeni house enjoyed autonomy for decades and was often referred to as Western Mpondo-land, while the Qawukeni house was referred to as Eastern Mpondo-land.

The towns in the Mpondo kingdom include Lusikisiki, Siphaqeni (known as Flagstaff), Mbizana (erroneously called Bizana), Ntabankulu, Port St. Johns, Libode and Ngqeleni.

Mzintlava (now known as Kokstad) was allotted to Adam Kok of the Griquas.

* King Sibiside athered: Crown Prince Mavovo & Prince Gubhela & Prince Njanya & Prince Ngcongo & Prince Hlengwa & Prince Shange & Princess Nomafu(Born:1120-Died:1202)

* King Njanya athered: Prince Mpondo & Prince Mpondomise & Prince Xesibe & Prince Nyambose & Prince Chibi(Born:1151-Died:1225)

* King Mpondo athered: Prince Sithula & Prince Ntusi & Prince Qhwane & Prince Phika(Born:1205-Died:1280) eigned:1226 Till 1280
* King Sithula athered: Prince Mithwa & Prince Khwalo & Prince Gingqi & Prince Khuwana(Born:1232-Died:1318) eigned:1280 Till 1318
* King Mithwa athered: Prince Santsabe & Prince Ndovelane & Prince Mbangweni & Prince Gavula & Prince Hluvoza(Born:1264-Died:1351) eigned:1318 Till 1351
* King Santsabe athered: Prince Khondwane & Prince Bumbantaba & Prince Maphise & Prince Khanyajo(Born:1303-Died:1385) eigned:1351 Till 1385
* King Khondwane athered: Prince Sukude & Prince Ntlane & Prince Gcutha & Prince Valela & Prince Woshe(Born:1347-Died:1425) eigned:1385 Till 1425
* King Sukude athered: Prince Hlambangobubende & Prince Ncenjana & Prince Shiyama & Prince Niyamba & Prince Khoya(Born:1380-Died:1456) eigned:1425 Till 1456
* King Hlambangobubende athered: Prince Ziqelekazi(Born:1406-Died:1471) eigned:1456 Till 1471
* King Ziqelekazi athered: Prince Ncamane(Born:1435-Died:1494) eigned:1471 Till 1494
* King Ncamane athered: Prince Thobe(Born:1458-Died:1513) eigned:1494 Till 1513
* King Thobe athered: Prince Msiza(Born:1481-Died:1539) eigned:1513 Till 1539
* King Msiza athered: Prince Ncindise(Born:1504-Died:1569) eigned:1539 Till 1569
* King Ncindise athered: Prince Cabe(Born:1527-Died:1591) eigned:1569 Till 1591
* King Cabe athered: Prince Qhiya & Prince Gangatha & Prince Gqwarha & Prince Chaphathi & Prince Dwerha & Prince Njilo(Born:1553-Died:1619) eigned:1591 Till 1619
* King Gangatha athered: Prince Bhala & Prince Dhiba & Prince Hlabe & Prince Ncina & Prince Nyongeza(Born:1585-Died:1643) eigned:1619 Till 1643
* King Bhala athered: Prince Chithwayo & Prince Khonjwayo & Prince Nyathi & Prince Ncoya & Prince Heleni & Prince Hola(Born:1610-Died:1664) eigned:1643 Till 1664
* King Chithwayo athered: Prince Ndayeni(Born:1643-Died:1696) eigned:1664 Till 1696
* King Ndayeni athered: Prince Thahle(Born:1665-Died:1721) eigned:1696 Till 1721
* King Thahle athered: Prince Nyawuza(Born:1691-Died:1755) eigned:1721 Till 1755
* King Nyawuza athered: Prince Ngqungqushe(Born:1720-Died:1782) eigned:1755 Till 1782
* King Ngqungqushe athered: Prince Faku & Prince Phakane & Prince Chingo & Prince Sitata & Prince Mtengwane & Prince Khanya(Born:1762-Died:1818) eigned:1782 Till 1818
* King Faku athered: Prince Ndamase & Prince Mqikela & Prince Bhekameva & Prince Mbangazitha(Born:1789-Died:1867) eigned:1818 Till 1867
* King Mqikela athered: Prince Sigcawu & Prince Mhlanga & Prince Ngcwengo & Prince Dibaniso(Born:1831-Died:1887) eigned:1867 Till 1887
* King Sigcawu athered: Prince Rarhelane & Prince Mswakezi & Prince Mbangani & Prince Dumalisile(Born:1856-Died:1905) eigned:1887 Till 1905
* Regency-King Mhlanga athered:??????????(He was a Regent for his nephew Prince Rarhelane KaSigcawu who was still in high-school at time and underage to rule his people).
(Born: 1863 - Died: 1917) eld-Power: 1905 to 1909
* King Rarhelane athered: Prince Mandlonke & Prince Mandalenkosi & Prince Manzolwandle & Prince Dlangamandla(Born:1890-Died:1921) eigned:1909 Till 1921
* Regency-King Mswakezi athered:???????????(he too was a regent for his nephew Prince Mandlonke KaRarhelane who was his late brother's great-son because he was to young to rule his people).
(Born:1887-Died:1949) eld-Power:1921 till 1934
* King Mandlonke athered: he Never had children of his own(He was the first to be king but because he died without Producing his own children so the royal family decided to give the throne to his twin brother who took over from him).
(Born:1909-Died:1937) eigned:1934 Till 1937
* King Mandalenkosi athered: Prince Zwelidumile(Born:1909-Died:1970) eigned:1937 Till 1970
* King Zwelidumile athered: Prince Zanozuko(Born:1948-Died:1984) eigned:1970 Till 1984
* King Zanozuko athered: Prince Yolisa(Born:1974-Died:2022) eigned:2013 Till 2022
* Prince Yolisa athered:?????????????(He is the current reigning monarch of Ama-Mpondo-people in South Africa today Since 2022).
(Born:1997-Alive:Aging) eigning:2022 Till Present-Date

Mpondo clans and tributary clans

There are three types of clans you find in Mpondo-land (kwa-Mpondo/ema-Mpondweni) today. First, there clans that arise out of the many houses of the Kings listed in the section above is ( King Mpondo's descendants). Secondly, there are clans of the older Aba-Mbonambi Ma-Mbo Clan from which Mpondo himself was born out, therefore these are people of his ancestors. Thirdly, there are clans who have immigrated to Mpondo-land and now pay tribute to the Mpondo kingdom.

In more detail:

* From Sihula we have Imi-Qwane, Ama-Ntusi (The elder son called Mbangweni and the young brother called Gavu kaMbangweni)
* From Mthwa we have Imi-Thwa, Ama-Woshe, Ama-Ngcwangule, Ama-Gingqi, Ama-Khwalo, Ama-Beko
* From Mkhondwane we have Ama-Ntlane, Ama-Valela, Ama-Gcuda
* From Sukude we have Ama-Same, Ama-Ncenjane
* From Cabe we have Ama-Cabe, Ama-Tshomane, Ama-Dwerha, Ama-Qhiya, Ama-Njilo, Ama-Gqwarhu, Ama-Nqanda
* From Gangatha we have Ama-Gangatha, Imi-Capathi
* From Bhala we have Ama-Bhala, Ama-Chithwayo, Ama-Khonjwayo, Ama-Nyathi, Ama-Heleni, Ama-Ngcoya, Ama-Jola (not to be confused with Ama-Mpondomise clan)
* From Ndayini we have Ama-Ndayini
* From Thahle we have Ama-Thahle
* From Nyawuza we have Ama-Nyawuza, Ama-Faku, oNgqungqushe.

Some of the following clans were followers of Mpondo kings from the beginning, some only came later during the reign of Faku:

*Ama-Yalo
*Ama-Mpisi
*Ama-Ngcikwa
*Ama-Khanyayo
*Imi-Zizi
*Ama-Ntshangase
*Ama-Khwetshube
*Ama-Ngutyana
* Ama-Ndunu
*Izi-langwe (lineage of the silangwe clan according to the oral history)

1960 revolts

Causes

There were varying reasons that led to the revolts notably the land rehabilitation programme, the Bantu Authorities System and the increase in taxes.

The land rehabilitation programme

The land rehabilitation programme was a system that entailed the colonisers keeping the fertile soils to themselves and allocating the less fertile lands to the local people. The Mpondo people revolted against this.

The Bantu Authorities System

This system brought about tension between the people of Pondoland and their chiefs.
The Bantu Authorities System created a pseudo sense of power as colonial authorities gave chiefs limited power, ensuring that administrative duties were still being assigned to the colonial government. This disrupted the system as people were used to being consulted at the Inkundla before decisions were made. Inkundla was when members of a community met together to discuss issues affecting the district/area and made decisions.

Series of events leading to the 1960 revolts

The first signs of revolt were apparent through local vigilante groups such as the Makhuluspani. The Makhuluspani was a group that was created in a bid to combat stock theft in the districts of Tsolo and Qumbu in the 1950s. It is reported that these groups targeted headmen and chiefs who were cooperating or suspected to be cooperating with the colonial government.Pieterse.Traditionalists, traitors and sell-outs: the roles and motives of ‘ama-qaba’, ‘aba-ngcatshi’ and ‘aba-thengisi’ in the Mpondo-land Revolt of 1960 to 1961. Department of Historical and Heritage Studies.Faculty of Humanities University of Pretoria .2007.51 There were also conflicts around the Bizana area during that same year as the government intended to fence off a certain area on the coastal area to reserve the forests and coastal zones without having consulted the people of Mpondo-land. People were evicted out of their land, and at one stage during evictions police were attacked.Kepe and Ntsebeza. Rural Resistance in South Africa. The Mpondo Revolts after Fifty Years. Koninklikje Brill NV.2011.26.https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/31865/ASC-075287668-3033-01.pdf?sequence=2

In 1959, in the Bizana district, Saul Mabude who was the chairman of the district authority and advocate for the Bantu Authorities system was asked to meet with the people of that community. He was tasked with explaining the Bantu Authorities system to them, however he did not show up as he feared for his life. The consequence to his actions resulted in him having his house burnt and the police terrorizing the people in that area. This did not deter the Mpondo people from mobilising against the government, who made it clear to Chief Sigcawu, who was the King at the time that the Bantu system was not going to be enforced on their watch.SA History Online.http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/pondoland-revolt-1950-1961.

In June 1960 a meeting was called at Ngquza Hill. These meetings had become the norm during the apartheid era around that area as people used them to educate each other on the events that were taking place, thus the meetings on the hill were not held secretly. The police were tipped about the meeting, who in turn upon their arrival fired on the people at the hill. This resulted in the arrest of 23 people and the death of 11 people. In retaliation, there was an ambush on a police patrol in Flagstaff. These people were shot at by the police, resulting in the injury of two policemen and the arrest of one headman.

In November 1960 in Flagstaff, a mass meeting was called at Ngqanduli. Chief Vukayibambe called the police and helped disperse the meeting. One of the protesters was killed, this resulting in Vukayibambe's kraal being set on fire and his death. All those who had an affiliation with the chief and supported him were killed, injured and their kraals set alight. The police were sent to defuse the situation.

Stabilisation of the revolts

A commission of inquiry was held right after the massacre. The demands from the people of Pondoland entailed the Bantu Authorities, Bantu Education Acts being withdrawn, the relief from taxes. Their demands were not met, and in retaliation the Pondo boycotted all white owned stores in Pondoland.

By the end of November 1960, a state of emergency was declared in Pondoland, in Flagstaff, Bizana, Tabankulu, Lusikisiki and Mount Ayliff. No one could access those areas without a permit, and the west of Umtata was closed off. The revolts were shut down through heavy policing and raiding tax evaders. The Bantu Home Guard was also established by the chiefs in a bid to shut down the revolts, with the aid of the military force that was sent by the state in a bid to subjugate the areas in Pondoland where the revolts had occurred until 1963.

In 1960, a total of 4,769 had been imprisoned during this period of the revolts from 1950 and 1960, and 2,067 brought to trial and it is reported that 30 people were sentenced to death during August and October in 1961.

Arts and entertainment

The Mpondo people are one of the major tribes that produce and consumes the genre of music called Maskandi but the Mpondo people are unique in a performance of ukusina( Nguni dance) and their own traditional dance called "imfene" (baboon dance). This dance(imfene) is performed by young ones and adults of both sexes to the sounds of Maskandi music.

Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival

Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival is celebrated annually by Mpondo to celebrate their culture and heritage. It is the biggest cultural event celebrated in the Kingdom attended by approximately over 20,000 people preceded by the Annual Mpondo Reed Dance. It is held in September of every year at Lwandlolubomvu Great Place, Ntabankulu; palace of the customary head Jongilanga Sigcau. Ntabankulu is the mountainous part of the Mpondo Kingdom surrounded by the great Mzimvubu River. Ntabankulu in Mpondo language means 'Big Mountains'. September is important in Mpondo history as it was originally the Mpondo new year in the ancient Mpondo calendars and also two of the Mpondo Kings King Mqikela and King Sigcau were born on this month. The Mpondo culture and Heritage Festival also celebrates the roles played by these icons, including the legendary kings Faku, Mqikela, Sigcawu, Marhelane amongst others. This events also seeks to promote cultural diversity through sharing of Mpondo culture and heritage with other cultures from South Africa, broader African continent and beyond the oceans. It attracts a lot of tourists, both local and international, and is one of the biggest events in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Lunar Calendar

According to the ancient Aba-Mbo people, including Mpondo, September is the first month of the year. There are some Mpondo people who recognise the appearance of the Pleiades ("isilimela") to signal the beginning of the year, but it is most likely that this interpretation was adopted from the sotho people. Mpondo calendar is as follows commencing with uMphanda the first month of the year according to the ancient Mpondo Calendar.

*u-Mphanda (September)
*u-Zibandlela (October)
*u-Lwezi (November)
*u-Ntsinga (December)
*u-Ntlolanja (January)
*u-Ndazosela (February)
*u-m'Basa (March)
*u-Mgudlula (April)
*u-Ntlangula (May)
*u-Ntulikazi (June)
*u-Ncwabakazi (July)
*u-Mfumfu (August)

Notable Mpondo leaders

* Lulu Dikana
* Zonke Dikana
* Gquma - queen of the Tshomane Mpondo
* Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
* Tutor Nyangelizwe Vulindlela Ndamase
* Faku kaNgqungqushe
* Ngqungqushe kaNyawuza
* Botha Sigcau
* Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau – ANC activist
* Stella Sigcau – former ANC MP
* Makhenkesi Stofile

See also

* Botha Sigcau
* Tutor Nyangelizwe Vulindlela Ndamase
* Faku kaNgqungqushe
* Ngqungqushe kaNyawuza
* Ndamase
* Sigcau
* Isinuka Mud Caves and Sulphur Pools
* List of current constituent African monarchs
* Mpondoland
* Mpondomise people
* Xhosa clan names

References

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History of Eastern Cape