Uprising
13 October 2006
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele, in conjunction with the Bhambatha
Centenary Committee, invites the media to witness first hand the spectacular
grande finale of the Bhambatha Centenary Commemorations 2006.
The descendants of warriors and their respective AmaKhosi, politicians,
dignitaries, the general public, the media, academics and heritage
practitioners alike will flock to KwaMaphumulo on 14 October 2006, at Sixheni
Sports Ground, eMthandeni.
The commemoration at KwaMaphumulo will remember the heroes who took up arms
against an oppressive colonial regime in protest against the imposition of the
poll tax. The poll tax uprising which had its first impact in Richmond and
later made popular by Bhambatha ka Mancinza Zondi at Mpanza and subsequently at
Mome Gorge in Nkandla, with Sgananda ka Zokufa, had its last battle fought on
the rolling hills of Maphumulo.
The Maphumulo Uprisings had come as a surprise to the Natal government since
the Natal Mercury had informed its readers on 19 June that the 'rebellion' had
been crushed. Contrary to government's popular belief regarding the final
defeat of the so-called rebels and its withdrawal of colonial troops on 17 June
1906, a new rebellion, led by Ndlovu ka Thimuni and Meseni ka Musi was looming
at Maphumulo. In this uprising, white civilians and a trooper became casualties
in what was believed to be the use of muti or witchcraft.
The uprising later spread throughout Maphumulo and various battles were
fought and between the period of 19 June and 12 July 1906, about 3 500 people
were killed by the then colonial government.
The event at KwaMaphumulo on Saturday will also reflect on the achievements
of the Department of Arts and Culture, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government,
led by the Office of the Premier in collaboration with the Bhambatha Centenary
Committee, in marking and observing the suffering that the warriors and their
respective AmaKhosi had to endure to fight against colonial oppression.
As we approach the commemorations at KwaMaphumulo it is also imperative to
highlight some of the success that the centenary commemoration has achieved
since they began earlier this year:
* the commemoration of the Richmond 12
* the recognition of Bhambatha ka Mancinza's role in the uprising at Mpanza
Greytown and Mome Gorge at Nkandla
* the recognition of Sgananda ka Zokufa's role in the uprising at Mome Gorge,
Nkandla and his subsequent posthumous release from prison
* the subsequent granting of the Freedom of Greytown to iNkosi Bhambatha
* the renaming of two streets after him
* Bhambatha's posthumous restoration as iNkosi of the Zondi clan
* the making of postal stamp bearing his image by Posts and
Telecommunications
* the awarding of the Order of Mendi by President Thabo Mbeki.
With Satyagraha celebrations also remembered this year, we witnessed the
visit of the Indian Prime Minister to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) who together with
President Mbeki and Premier Ndebele paid homage to the great Mahatma
Gandhi.
The Bhambatha Centenary Committee has forged a strategic partnership with
media houses, such as the Sunday Times which will see the paper hosting the
Inaugural Bhambatha Memorial Lecture, as well as the making of a human size
Bhambatha statue. It has also forged a partnership with the Department of Arts
and Culture and KZN office of the Premier on the hosting of the Bhambatha
Colloquium later this year.
Enquiries:
Sipho Sithole
Project co-ordinator
Cell: 083 299 5550
Oscar Zondi
Committee Chairperson
Cell: 082 538 8703
Jeff Hassan
Office of the Premier
Cell: 082 884 1872
Ntuthuko Khuzwayo
Local Committee member
Cell: 083 994 4155
For information about transport, kindly contact Jeff Hassan for
arrangements. Also watch press for more information.
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
13 October 2006
Source: SAPA
