Great warrior’s life celebrated through festival

KEISKAMMAHOEK was abuzz with activity as the seventh annual Ntaba kaNdoda Heritage Festival took place, commemorating the life of the great Chief Jongumsobomvu Maqoma, whose remains are buried in the historical mountain.

The three-day event, which concluded yesterday, was hosted by the Ntinga Ntaba kaNdoda rural movement, which leads an organisation for community self-determination in Keiskammahoek.

Ntinga Ntaba kaNdoda executive director Mazibuko Jara said this year’s festival was to pay tribute to the 144th anniversary of “his martyrdom to the sacred ancestral realm”.

“Ntaba kaNdoda is where the remains of Maqoma the Great are interred. Under controversial circumstances marked by the brutal violence of colonial prison authorities, Maqoma the Great was killed on September 9 in 1873 during his time as a prisoner on Robben Island.

“He was a great patriot, a nationbuilder, a political strategist, a statesman and mover of people. This year’s festival [was] aimed to remember the 145th anniversary of his passing, which will be marked on September 9 2018, under the theme: Make 2018 the Year of Maqoma the Great – Honour the Legacy,” Jara said.

Jara also delivered the second Maqoma Memorial Lecture.

The festival included performances by Mthwakazi and the Ntlantsi Xhorchestra from Hamburg.

There was also a play on the sinking of the S S Mendi ship which sank 100 years ago.

It was directed by award-winning director Mandla Mbothwe.

Renowned author Fred Khumalo read from his book Dancing the Death Drill, a novel dedicated to the heroes of the S S Mendi.

Last week, Maqoma’s Last War: The Sinking of the Birkenhead, which has been written by Nicholas Dekker and reveals shocking records of the War of Mlanjeni during 1850 to 1853 – was launched in partnership with the Steve Biko Foundation, in Ginsberg.

“This presents an opportunity for all South Africans and the global community to reflect using the legacies of Biko and Maqoma.

“They are both crucial figures,” said Bokang Pooe, programmes manager at the Steve Biko Foundation.

Jara said: “Both Maqoma and Biko were seminal figures in the history of African resistance to colonial advance, oppression and apartheid, and in defence of African autonomy, independence, freedom and self-determination.”