SA loyalty replaces colonial oath
AMAXHOSA and amaMfengu commemorated contrasting events from their intertwined histories during the British-led colonial invasion at the weekend.
On Friday, amaXhosa remembered the brutal murder of their revered warrior monarch, King Hintsa kaKhawuta, who was killed by British forces. He was beheaded and his skull taken to Britain in 1835.
Yesterday, amaMfengu recalled how they had agreed under oath to subject themselves to British rule but also rewrote that oath to pledge loyalty to South Africa.
On May 14 1835 amaMfengu pledged to be loyal and obedient to the British queen and God, and to send their children to school.
The celebration and revival of the oath has sparked criticism from influential amaMfengu people, who see it as a “celebration of colonial slavery” that should not be celebrated at all. Others said even though it was controversial, it should still be remembered.
The organiser of the amaMfengu celebration, uMqwashu commemorative committee chairman Dan Stamper, and Willowvale’s Chief Manduleli Bikitsha said the original oath of loyalty to the British crown had been improvised to suit the current political moment.
Back then the oath was made before Methodist missionary Reverend John Ayliff under an old uMqwashu (milkwood) tree near Peddie in 1835.
Stamper yesterday said that in the new oath “we pledged loyalty to the present South African government. May 14 is celebrated as the pillar of our unity as abaMbo as a source of identity, and to preserve our cultural heritage.
“It is the first time that a district event was held at Fort Malan near Willowvale and this had followed a recent impasse between amaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu and the amaMfengu over traditional leadership of the area.”
African culture activist and Icamagu Institute director Dr Nokuzola Mndende, who is an Mfengu, strongly condemned the celebration saying: “I cannot celebrate the revival of colonisation. The colonialist created the crack between the African people. AbaMbo were not welcomed by the colonialists, but by the amaXhosa and we should be grateful to Zanzolo (King Hintsa).”
Stamper said they were celebrating their history and identity. “Truth should be told. History always has some controversies, but it cannot be erased.”
Political analyst Dr Somadoda Fikeni said: “History is very complex. While some cry, others celebrate.
“The history of the amaMfengu has both pride and loyalty which is controversial in a sense because the colonial regimes from time to time used them as a buffer, but at the same time they became the elite, as court or missionaries’ interpreters.”