Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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received from him in KwaZulu. Mbuyazi had also previously been to
Colony of Natal to visit Captain lames Walmsely, whose Zulu name was
Mantshonga (the man who walked rather strangely).25 Walmsely was the
British Border Agent.
Thus, the role of the Colonial establishment in Natal in the Zulu
imbroglio could not be relegated to the background. Maphalala argued
that the battle of Ndondal.llsuka which took place on 2 December 1856
between the lziGqoza and Usuthu factions was ignited by the Natal
Colonial establishment." The Colonial administrators entered the
succession issue in an attempt to provide the Colony with additional land
between the Thukela and MhIathuze rivers. Maphalala said:
25
26
27
"In 1855 the Natal government was faced
with a problem of overcrowding in its
"native reserves". In order to find an
outlet for approximately 50 000 Zulus, it
looked to the south of its colony... The
Natal government subsequently focussed
its attention on the greener pastures of
Zululand [KwaZulu], ... This tract ofland
had long been the focal point of Whites
from Natal. uv
SJ. Mapbalala: The Panicipation ofWhite Settlers in the battle of Ndondakusuka, 2""
December 1856, and irs consequences up to 1861, p. 3; S.N.A. 1/1/5: Report of
Commission to investigate the traders' claims, 17'" January 1857.
ibid., p. 4. .
ibid., p. 4.