Painting of Nongqawuse donated
THE truth behind the legend of Nongqawuse and how artist Dandheni Nhlangwini portrayed her was discussed at the Bayworld museum in Port Elizabeth yesterday.
The Nhlangwini painting tells the story of prophetess Nongqawuse who, in the 1800s, convinced her people that if they slaughtered their cattle and burnt their crops, their ancestors would rise and bring them good fortune.
The work is part of a series of 10 by Nhlangwini submitted for his master’s degree.
It was donated by Dr Johan Hugo, 42, who assisted Nhlangwini with research.
Hugo had had the painting for almost 15 years and felt it should be seen by everyone.
“The painting was too big for me to put up in my home. I wanted to share it with the world. I also feel that it is very important to our history as South Africans,” Hugo said.
Xhosa genealogy expert and Fort Hare University lecturer Professor Jeff Peires discussed what happened during that 18-month period.
He said the legend of Nongqawuse was a sensitive topic that the Xhosa people were reluctant to talk about.
“There are two reactions that are brought about by the story. The first one is the whole drama was a trick by [Cape governor] Sir George Grey, and the second that the Xhosa would not have listened to a girl,” Peires said.
According to Peires, two years before the event, a shipload of Friesland cattle landed in Mossel Bay carrying lung disease which led to an outbreak in the southern parts of the country.
DA Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral candidate Athol Trollip commended Peires for his insight into Xhosa culture while describing the painting as “haunting”.