Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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"Umsimude owavela ngesiluba
[The high pillar of smoke who
emerged in feathered head-dress]
Phakathi kwamaNgisi namaQadasi,
[Between the British and Voortrekkers]
lnkonjan ' edukele ezulwini,
[The hawk that flew towards Heaven]
Umawela muva wawoShaka "6)
[The last-to-cross ofShaka]
The first Voortrekker he met was Johan Hendrik (Hans Dons) de Lange
who was hunting for the hippopotamus (izimvubu) on the banks of
Thukela. 64 De Lange informed the Volksraad, the supreme executive and
legislative authority in the Republic, about Mpande's presence and loyalty
to the Voortrekkers· 5 Some of the Voortrekker officials were not
convinced and suggested that he be assassinated. This did not materialise,
probably due to the numerical preponderance of Mpande's adherents
•
(about 17 000) and large numbers of cattle (about 25 000)." The issue of
numerical preponderance of Mpande's followers had evidence in his
praises:
6J
64
65 ..
"lsikhukhulane sika Ndaba,
[The flood ofNdaba]
Esakhukhul' omame sabetshatha,
[That flooded women and left with
them]
Saye sabalahl ' ezinkwazini,
eT. Msimang: Kusadliwa Ngoludala, p. 381; JA.W. Nxurnalo: Umcebo Wolimi
LwesiZulu, p. 1 t
R.R.R. Dhlomo: Umpande Ka Senzangakhona, p. 30.
Napier to Glenelg, 30 November 183, Bird. L Anrials ofNatal, pp. 423-4.
M.M. Fuze: Abantu Abamnv'!!!!il, p. 31; H. Stander: Die Verbouding tussen die Boere
en Zoeloe tot die dood van Mpande in 1812, pp. 215-18.