Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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had sent Hans de Lange previously to investigate St. Lucia as a potential
harbour. '63
The British authorities regarded the stabilisation of the relationship
between Natal Colony and the kingdom of Mpande as of crucial
importance. Cloete had to determine borders in accordance with the Zulu
king, aiming at securing British the possession of St. Lucia Bay.'" Cloete
viewed St. Lucia Bay as a pre-requisite in finalising the annexation of
Natal Colony. He argued:
"So long as the Emigrant farmers beyond
the Drakensberg still continue in an insane
struggle for independence, and are (l grieve
to think) encouraged by a few wicked and
desperate characters, who are still allowed
to reside within this territory, and as long as
they indulge in hopes ofbeing provided with
ammunition and other necessities ... by
keeping open some communication with the
sea, it will be impossible to expect the
inhabitants ofthis colony to be entirely free
from the contamination and excitement
prevailing around them. "165
On 18 September 1843, Cloete visited Mpande at his Nodwengu
headquarters. The Voortrekkers in his company were taken along to
prove to Mpande that they had yielded to the British rule' " Cloete
10'
'06
IOi
'08
S.N.A. 1/1/11: H. Cloete to J. Mootagu. 29 October 1843.
G.M. TheaJ: History of South Africa, p. 454.
H. Cloete to J. Montagu. 29 October 1843. Bird. Il Annals ofNatal. p. 302.
G.M. Theal: The Republic ofNatal, p. 9: R.R.R. Dhlomo: Umpande Ka Semangakhona pp. 31
- 36: G.M Theal: Historv ofSouth Afrigt, p. 455.