Makhanda
Wikipedia describes Makhanda, also spelled Makana and known as Nxele (“the left-handed”), as a Xhosa healer (inyanga) and prophet, born about 1780 near Uitenhage, the son of a Xhosa father of the Cwerha clan and a Khoikhoi mother of the Gqunukhwebe clan (see Gqunukhwebe), raised largely by his mother, a diviner. The article tags his birth and death dates as uncertain.
Prophet and war doctor
The article says it is unclear when he first met Christianity, perhaps through the missionary Dr James van der Kemp at Bethelsdorp (founded 1799), that he first saw missionaries as allies but by 1816 saw Christianity as tied to European encroachment, and that he preached a mixture of Christian and Xhosa beliefs leaning towards the latter. It says that around 1812 Ndlambe appointed him adviser and military doctor, and that he was at Amalinde in 1818 alongside Ndlambe’s forces (a claim tagged “citation needed”).
The 1819 attack on Grahamstown
Wikipedia says that after a force under Colonel Thomas Brereton seized about 23,000 of Ndlambe’s cattle, Makhanda urged a united attack on the garrison, and that on 22 April 1819 he led roughly 6,000 men (some sources say 10,000), under the overall command of Ndlambe’s son Mdushane, against Grahamstown. The garrison of about 350 and a Khoikhoi group repulsed the attack, and he surrendered. The reasons given for the defeat, British firepower and poor tactics, are also tagged “citation needed”.
Robben Island and memory
It says he was imprisoned on Robben Island and that on 25 December 1820 he tried to escape with thirty other prisoners and drowned, with only four escapees surviving (other sources give 9 August 1820 for his death). It says his people hoped for his return for about 50 years. Grahamstown was renamed Makhanda in 2018, and the Makana Local Municipality and a naval ship are named for him. Wikipedia says political prisoners on Robben Island later wanted the island renamed for him.
What we have not read
The article cites Julia Wells’s books on Makhanda (2007 and 2012), Pudi and Satyo (1984), John Philip’s Researches in South Africa (1828), a Dictionary of African Christian Biography entry and a military history article on the battle; we have read none of them, and the page carries several tags. We found no account from descendants.
Izithakazelo and totem
We found no recorded praises or totem for Makhanda, so we are printing none. If you trace your family to him and want its history recorded here, with your permission and credited to you, we would like to hear from you.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Makhanda (prophet) (tags for citations and verification)
- Wikipedia: Battle of Amalinde
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