Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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CHAPTER SIX
MPANDE'S ACQUAINTANCE WITH CHRISTIAN
MISSIONARIES
The encounter between Mpande and Christian missionaries was presaged
by sporadic attacks on mission stations by Dingane in 1838. After the
Retief massacre, Dingane grew strong in audacity and hatred ofthe White
people' He sent his numerous warriors (amabutho) to Natal where the
American Board Mission was stationed. The Rev. David Lindley, the
only one of the Americans remaining, sought refuge in a ship in the
harbour - The Comet.' During this raid every house at the Port was
destroyed by fire and all the dwellers banished or killed, including the
missionaries at Umlazi.
On 16 December 1837 the Zulu amabutho in battle array attacked the
Dutch "laagers" or defences - the first at Ncome and subsequently at
Weenen and Blaauwkrantz. 3 The Dutch were victors and as they had
vowed that ifthey gain victory, they would build a house to the Lord, the
2
3
M.W.T. Gray: Stories ofthe early American Missionaries in South Africa. p. 23.
Ibid., p. 23.
Ibid., p:23