Forgotten Nation V- Luyengweni, KwaNtsindantsinda
The author's ancestral home, Luyengweni, Mount Frere, EC is a large village housing many clans who are predominantly Amahlubi, and a small minority of AmaMpondomise and AmaXhosa who have settled but have not assimilated with some cultural aspects.
The history of Kwa Ntsindantsinda, officially known as eLuyengweni ironically does not start with its namesake Inkosi uNtsindantsinda kaMehlomakhulu, but it started with a man from oMchumane Nozulu clan, by the name of Mxhegu Bulana at Hershel.
The overpopulation at the new settlements in Hershel and Sterkspruit, along with conflicts with the neighbouring Basotho, prompted The British governor of the Cape, Sir Phillip Wodehouse to release more land for the Natives to settle on, mostly land that was disputed in the near East Griqualand (Present day Kokstad) this was land considered hostile or Hardly benefits the British.
Mxhegu Bulana went to explore the land across the Tina River which was occupied by AmaMpondo, who were in conflict with the neighbouring tribe, AmaBhaca.
Local Historians have two versions of how Mxhegu acquired this land:
The first version was He was a merchant/clothing maker who was selling around KwaBhaca (Mount Frere) and saw land and reported back to Hershel so a Chief could be sent to acquire this land.
The second version, which is widely
accepted is he was a warrior, and surveyor who to came to this land which was wonderful for grazing Livestock, it had a long and wide river The Ncome River connecting to the Kinira River, and had forests for wood which were optimal for establishing a settlement.
This land was contested between AmaBhaca and AmaMpondo, albeit a passive conflict, which led to The Actual Conflict between AmaMpondo and uMxhegu which he was said to have won this conflict with a handful of warriors pushing back AmaMpondo towards Umzimvubu.
uMxhegu went on to establish a community but requested for Inkosi (a "Chief") from the Mehlomakhulu Royal House to come and rule over his newly acquired land, as He was quoted saying "... I cannot rule over myself", and that Nkosi, became Mehlomakhulu's eldest son, Inkosi Ntsindantsinda.
Many landmarks agree with the second version of History as there is a Location named eMaxhegwini (mxhegu's place) after uMxhegu, there's a mountain named after him called iNtaba kaMxhegu where he was said to have arrived and Ispongo sikaMxhegu (Mxhegu's peak) which He took up residence there, and was buried there with his Tombstone being unveiled in December 2021 by his descendants. Mxhegu also named a section near his new settlement eNtsimekweni after a town in Hershel with the same name. A Descendant of Mxhegu would later marry into the Ntsindantsinda Royal Family in the early 20th century.
The last recognized Inkosi was Nkoselizwe Gladstone Mehlomakhulu who passed on in 2019, The Ntsindantsinda Throne has been in dispute between the Nkosi Nkoselizwe's daughter Buyiswa kaNkoselizwe who is currently the Princess Regent, and a Relative by Manyathela Mehlomakhulu which has had negative consequences on the village as it has divided the nation between these two Royal Factions.
A High School in Luyengweni is named after Ntsindantsinda's grandson, Inkosi Sonqishe kaMabudula. Former District Mayor and ANC Politician Sixolile Mehlomakulu hails from Luyengweni. There 5 Hlubi locations under KwaNtsindantsinda which is Luyengweni, Mndini, KwaMnyamana (Administered by Inkosi Rhadebe) and eMaxhegwini.
References: Lamla, CM (2013) Hidden voices, untold stories and veiled memories:
Oral history, representation and knowledge
Ndawo, HM (1945) Ibali lama Hlubi, Lovedale Press.
Special thanks To Tat' Moore Mehlomakulu (RIP), Eric Bulana, and Unathi Bulana for Oral history background
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