Bhambatha

Bhambatha (on the right) with an attendant

Bambata, or Bhambatha kaMancinza (c. 1820?–1906?), also known as Mbata Bhambatha, was a Zulu chief of the amaZondi clan in the Colony of Natal and son of Mancinza. He is famous for his role in an armed rebellion in 1906 when the poll tax was raised from a tax per hut to per head (£1 tax on all native men older than 18 – infamously called ukhandampondo), increasing hardship during a severe economic depression. Bhambatha claims that he was told to lead an armed rebellion by the de facto Zulu King Dinizulu. Dinizulu disputed this account and no convincing evidence for either story is available.[1]

Early years

It is unclear what year Bamatha was born due to no written records or birth certificates we estimate Bamatha was born in either 1820? or 1822? in Mpanza near the town of Greytown, Natal Colony. He was the son of Chief Macinza sometimes called Macinga of the abakwa Zondi chieftaincy, and his mother, principal wife of Macinza, was the daughter of Chief Phakade of an important Zulu chieftaincy, the Cunu. Bhambatha is famous for being one of the 10,000 Zulu warriors to guard Shaka Zulus mothers grave for a year. He is said to have been a Zulu warrior under the strict Shaka Zulu Umpa training and discipline.[2]

The rebellion

It is believed at the time of the Bhambatha Rebellion, Bhambatha was 86 years old in 1906. Bhambatha is famous for being one of the 10,000 Zulu warriors to guard Shaka Zulus mothers grave for a year, but he is better known for his role in an armed rebellion in 1906 when the poll tax was raised from a tax per hut to per head (£1 tax on all native men older than 18 - infamously called ukhandampondo) increasing hardship during a severe economic depression.

The Natal Police believed Bhambatha was going to resist the tax with force and sent about 150 men to arrest him. Instead the police were ambushed and four policemen killed. Thousands of colonial troops were then sent after him, including cavalry and heavy artillery, leading to 3,500 dead. Bhambatha himself reportedly was killed in the Battle of Mome Gorge. He is often credited as an inspiration to native South African resistance and as a precursor of the anti-apartheid movement.[3]

References

  1. ↑ P. S. Thompson, ‘Bambatha ka Mancinza (1865/6–1906)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, Oct 2006 accessed 16 Sept 2015
  2. ↑ "Chief Bhambatha kaMancinza Zondi. Bambatha led the war and came up with a strategy using ,king ,shaka Zulu's tactics the Bull Horn and He came up with strategies to fight in mountains to avoid the guns and also in caves and digging underground to surprise the british in battle he was King Shaka's favorite when The king was alive | South African History Online". www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 2015-09-19.
  3. ↑ "The Bambatha Rebellion". www.greytown.co.za. Retrieved 2015-09-19.


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