Forgotten Nation IV- Mpangazitha
*This is a series with three previous entries like Forgotten Nation I- II, and III which are important for context.
Mpangazitha kaBhungane II
He was born of the Right-hand House of King Bhungane II, He was born to Queen OkaKhesa. He can be said to be the exiled chief as he spent most of his reign ruling away from his ancestral seat or in exile from hostile forces, But he is considered the father of AmaHlubi diaspora, who reside in present-day North West, Free State, and Eastern Cape. Through him, his sons, and his grandsons we understand present-day Amahlubi settlements.
Mpangazitha had been chief of his own settlement and had a conflict with a long-time adversary of Amahlubi even during the time of their grandfather Ntsele kaMashiya, AmaNgwane. Three Generations prior was a Hlubi victory, but this time was different, as Matiwane of AmaNgwane would largely be victorious in these conflicts even killing King Mthimkhulu, Mpangazitha's older brother.
After the fall of his elder brother, He combined the remnants of his elder brother's soldiers and his own military force (which is why he is recognized as a Chief in his own right, then later a King instead of Prince Regent due to his Mthimkhulu's heirs being young to rule) in an effort to hold against Matiwane's ever-victorious army. Matiwane emerged victorious from the conflict leading Mpangazitha to retreat to Lesotho. AmaNgwane had conflict with AmaZulu during Shaka kaSenzangakhona's reign and were driven to the Drakensberg mountains. Mpangazitha who had been in Lesotho for 2 years, felt to take advantage of this, by going back to conflict with Matiwane. This battle was long and lead to a stalemate between the two armies and a ceasefire that lasted for almost 30 years.
The last fight between Mpangazitha and AmaNgwane was said to last for 5 days and resulted in Amahlubi's defeat and the death of Mpangazitha. His young brother Marhwanqa took over as regent and Guardian of the Heir of Mthimkhulu, who was the rightful heir to the throne.*
Mpangazitha had several sons but most prominently Chief Sidinane who was his heir, and Mehlomakhulu from his Junior house.
Inkosi Sidinane set out for Gaza and went on various travels in exile from his homeland, upon his return to the land where his father met his demise, He was also put to death by the Ngwane who were still there. Sidinane's heirs went on to establish communities in places like Mbutho/Mbutweni, Middlerift, and Kayakhulu in North West, The latter being the more prominent and senior houses.
Inkosi Shadrack Fuba Zibi III moved His Settlement from Middledrift to Rustenberg after he heard from a white ex-soldier that there was vacant land that is being sold there for £1 755 in 1923. In 1927 the land was finally under the Trust of Amahlubi under Native Affairs. This move led 200 families to settle in Kayakhulu with Amahlubi under Headman Israel Zibi making their exodus to Khayakhulu from Mount Frere. More farmland was acquired for the ever-growing community of Kayakhulu. Kayakhulu currently has 13 000 people across 5 villages.
Shadrack was a scholar who was educated at Lovedale institution in Alice, He was a Choir Conductor, A teacher, an Interpreter, and a freelance journalist. Shadrack established Kayakhulu Primary School, and His wife became the first principal of the school. The Shadrack F Zibi High School was established in 1974 in his honour. The Amahlubi Chairman's Foundation is founded by the Amahlubi Traditional Council, through the office of the Nkosi Madoda Shadrack Zibi.
Mehlomakhulu became the most prominent of all Mpangazitha's sons and lived a longer life than his elder brother, similar to Mthimkhulu II's elder sons. Mehlomakhulu became a subordinate of another person who had fled the terrors of war for greener pastures, that being Mzilikazi kaMashobane.
Mehlomakhulu had fled with many Hlubi people civilians and soldiers alike and became Mzilikazi's subordinate with his regiments entering Mzilikazi's army and traveling. Mzilikazi began feeling threatened by the young Mehlomakhulu as he felt He would challenge his authority. A plan to kill Mehlomakhulu and absorb his people was hatched and foiled as he was warned and fled. The Hlubi regiment revolted against Mzilikazi resulting in the defeat of his army and the Hlubi once again returning to their homeland. Mehlomakhulu returned to a power struggle between the Regent, Prince Marhwanqa, and heir to the throne Prince Dlomo II, elder brother of Langalibalele II, with Mehlomakhulu siding with their uncle in this power struggle.
After Dlomo II emerged victoriously, Mehlomakhulu exiled himself to Hershel, with the approval of the British Local Cape government. It's important to mention that Mehlomakhulu maintained contact with the Senior royal house in Estcourt. Mehlomakhulu was instrumental in Establishing the Hlubi settlements in The Cape Province (Eastern Cape) When the Hlubi Settlements started to be overcrowded more Land near Griqualand East was opened up to accommodate the growing settlements which lead to his descendants migrating further south to places like Mount Fletcher, Mount Frere, and Qumbu establishing communities that stand to this day and some of Mthimkhulu II's sons like Duba, Ludidi, Luthuli, and Luzipho settled in Neighbouring places around Matatiele of which many villages are named after those sons or the grandsons.
It is Important to Understand the importance of Inkosi Mpangazitha, His sons Sidinane, Siphambo, Mkhatshane, and Mehlomakhulu, and how these figures influenced the present-day Hlubi settlements in the Eastern Cape and North West.
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