Stand by for more posts on Ken Gillingss Bush & Battlefield Tours from the 2nd July. These will relate to the 1906 Poll Tax Rebellion (usually referred to as the Bambata or Bhambatha Rebellion). 108 years ago today, a member of staff of the Colonial Public Works Department named Oliver Veal was cycling from Greytown to Tongaat. He had been advised not to cycle through Chief Meseni kaMusis territory, but ignored the warnings and was abducted near the Mvoti river. He was taken to Chief Mesenis Mtandeni umuzi and the chief ordered him to be released, but instead he was killed and many parts of his body used as ingredients for muthi. His badly mutilated body was later discovered by Lt Col D W Mackays troops and he was buried under an umVithi tree near Mtandeni. To set the scene for the posts in the next few days, here are two photos of Oliver Veals grave, with descendants of the community who killed him 108 years ago today, the 30th June 2014. In the one photo, I am seen with Ntuthuko Khuzwayo, a member of the Qwabe community who knows the history of his people like the back of his hand. Ive also included a photo of Chief Meseni (also written as Messeni) on the right of the photo (which includes the other main roleplayer in the Mvoti / Tugela operations - Chief Ndlovu kaThimuni on the left) and Chief Mesenis grave. In another historical photo, I am with Chief Mesenis grandson, Inkosi Makhosini Wellington Qwabe (the current inkosi of the abaQwabe, second from left), together with other prominent members of the Qwabe community. In another photo, Inkosi Makhosini Qwabe is seen at the grave of Chief Meseni. Remember that Qwabe kaMalandela was the brother of Zulu kaMalandela, born in the late 1600s at Odwini (The hornets nest) below the Mandawe hill in the Mhlatuze River valley, near present day Eshowe. Some fascinating accounts coming up in the next few days!
Posted on: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 06:05:36 +0000
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