Mpande's - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

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Zulu authority over the outlying chiefdoms. This, however, was preceded
by a precaution ofridding himself of any possible claimants to the throne.
Thus in 1843 Mpande murdered his only surviving half-brother, Gqugqu. I '
Gqugqu had built his homestead beyond the Black Mfolozi river on the
eSigubudu hill." Gqugqu kaSenzangakhona had a stronger genealogical
claim to the throne than Mpande. He had also amassed his own amabutho
and isigodlo, in addition to support he received from important
personalities such as the Nxumalo lineage head Sothondose; Mangena of
the Nyandwini; Ncaphayi of the Ndlovu; the Ndwandwe inkosi then
already under the control of Malanda Mkhwanazi of Mpukunyoni and
Mawa kaSenzangakhona. 16
To Mpande's surprise, the murder of Gqugqu triggered an exodus of his
subjects to Natal. In addition to the above adherents of and sympathisers
with Gqugqu, Mpande's own undunankulu, Nongalaza kaNondela of the
Nyandwini, crossed the Thukela to pay homage to the colonial
establishments in Natal." It should be noted that the flight of these and
other subjects ofthe kingdom became an issue in Mpande's relations with
the colonial establishment at Port Natal. When the British Commissioner
15
16
17
R-R-R- Dhlomo: Umpande KaSenzangakhona, pp. 50 - 55.
Ibid., p. 53.
P.A. Kennedy: "Mpande and the Zulu kingship", Journal ofNatal and Zulu Historv.
Vol. IV, p. 32; R-R.R- Dhlomo: Umpande Ka Senzangakholl