4 April 2006
All media are invited to what is expected to be a revelling and historic
moment for the people of KwaZulu-Natal when the events of 1906 will be
remembered, revered and recognised at the public launch of the Bhambatha
Centenary Commemoration, spearheaded by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government.
The year 2006 marks 100 years of the Bhambatha Poll Tax Uprising. The
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government and the Bhambatha Centenary Committee have
identified a series of events and programmes to commemorate this historical
event.
This coming Saturday, 18 April, the provincial government and the Bhambatha
Centenary Committee will remember the event of 4 April 1906 and subsequent
uprisings elsewhere at Mpanza (outside Greytown).
Apart from the official programme to commemorate this event, special tours
to the famous Bhambatha Ambush Rock, the Bhambatha Police Memorial, the Mpanza
Hotel (now a community school), have been arranged for interested media and
other key stakeholders.
Families and descendants of the heroes of the Bhambatha Uprising will join
officials, army personnel and the public as wreaths are laid to remember those
who fought in the rebellion.
You are invited to attend this momentous occasion, joining the provincial
government, members of the South African National Defence Force, South Africa
Police Service, historians, families of the struggle heroes, in a public launch
of the commemoration.
Warriors from various clans who were at the forefront of the uprising have
already started converging at the venue of the celebration. The public launch
will entail traditional dance, tributes from representatives of clans that
participated in the uprising, a stage play, kwaito and festivities that will
last deep into the night. Artists like Kelly Khumalo, Tzozo and Professor, Jabu
Khanyile and many others will perform on the day.
Today, 4 April 2006 (Tuesday), marks the 100 years of the police ambush by
Bhambatha and his group of 150 warriors, or so called ârebelsâ as they were
referred to then. On 4 April 1906, Greytwon Mayor, Mr JW Cross, accompanied by
two civilians and four Natal Police under the leadership of Inspector Rose were
ambushed on their way back from investigating Bhambathaâs attempt to reclaim
ubuKhosi after having been deposed by the Natal Government.
Four policemen were killed in the ambush and Bhambatha became public enemy
number one. The police ambush marked the beginning of what was later to be
known as the Bhambatha Poll Tax Uprising of 1906. Many clans at Nkandla,
Maphumulo and Richmond joined the uprising.
Watch press for further details.
Further contact: Farhana Ismail
Cell: 082 889 1278
Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
4 April 2006
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
