Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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Thus, the battle of Ndondakusuka took place on 2 December 1856. It
started close to the homestead ofNongalaza kaNondela near the Mandeni
stream. This was between the Ndulinde ridge and the Thukela River."
The Usuthu faction was given the order to advance at a bush at Ndulinde
by Cetshwayo, assisted by Mnyamana Buthelezi. First the
Ndabakawombe regiment was sent up the Mandeni stream. It was
followed by the DWambedlu regiment of Mpande and subsequently the
isaNgqu, the iziNgulube, then the Sihlambisinye (i.e. the Mdlalose,
Manqondo, amaNcube and the DWoko) - so called because Cetshwayo
forced them to join him by attacking homesteads were situated in the
country that had been given to Mbuyazi by Mpande. 35 Cetshwayo and his
adherents camped on both sides of the Mhlathuze, high up. That was
where the SiWambisinye subsequently joined him. This was near
Nomveve (a locality in the Mhlathuze valley, northwest of the present
day Eshowe).36
The first clash took place west of Nongalaza's homestead (Nongalaza
was dead by the time of the battle). A younger brother of Mbuyazi,
" 35
36
l.S.A., Vo!. 4, Evidence ofMvayisa KaTshingili, p. 165.
C.O. 179/43, P.RO.: Schreuder to Walrnsley. 21 ovember 1856, enc!. in Scan to
Labouchere, D. 9, 16 December 1856: O. Stavem: The orwegian Missiooarv
Society, pp. 3 - 5; l. Rutherford: Sir George Grey. 1812 - 98, pp. 348-59.
S.N.A. 1/6/2, N.A.: Proclaination, 22 April 1857. encl. in Scott to Labouchere, D. 38,
5 May 1857.