Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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Missionaries did not assist the monarchy in the internal disputes of the
kingdom, and remained neutral in the civil upheaval that erupted in
1856."
It is imperative, however, to note that when Mpande granted the Christian
missionaries admittance to KwaZulu, the Zulu people had already been in
continual contact with White people who had settled in and about Port
Natal for nearly three decades. 56 As time went by these Europeans came
to populate great parts of the countryside as regular farmers. Both the
Voortrekkers and the British faction of them had proved readiness to
protect their interests in the country by military force. 57 This fact had
already put its marked seal upon destiny ofthe Zulu people.
Mpande's subjects had also learnt that some of the White people
appearing in their country called themselves missionaries. The court of
Mpande had been exposed to the particular aim of their presence. 58 In
some areas even ordinary people had been acquainted with these
particular representatives ofColonial establishments.'9
55
56
"
58
59
A. Winquist: Scandinavians and South Africa - their impact on cultwal. social and economic
development before 1900. pp. 94 - 97.
Rev. L. Grout: Zululand. or life among the Zulu Kaffirs of Natal and Zululand. p. 219.
M Whissoo and M West (Eds): Religion and Social change in Southern Africa ­
anthmpological essayS in honour ofMonica Wilson. pp. 165 • 170.
Ibid., p. 171.
R. Mael: The Problem ofPolitical Integration in the Zulu Empire (Unpublished PhD Thesis.
California, 1974), pp. 115 - 168.