Sekwati’s son
Wikipedia’s article on Mampuru II gives his dates as 1824 to 22 November 1883. It says he was the child of the candle wife of Sekwati’s elder brother Malekutu, and that Sekwati later married his mother. Wikipedia’s article on Sekwati lists Mampuru II among his children and says Mampuru was Sekwati’s rightful successor, while Sekhukhune I took the Pedi paramountcy by force. The two sides’ arguments, as Wikipedia gives them, are that Sekwati designated Mampuru as heir and that Mampuru held the royal insignia, and against that, that Sekwati’s marriage to Mampuru’s mother was not legitimate because the customary bull was not given.
Rivals
When Sekwati died in 1861 the succession was contested. The sources agree that Sekhukhune took the throne, but they differ on what happened to Mampuru: Wikipedia’s article on Mampuru says Sekhukhune killed Mampuru’s advisers and made him flee the realm, South African History Online says he executed Mampuru’s councillors and that Mampuru swore vengeance, and Wikipedia’s article on Sekhukhune says he let Mampuru leave peacefully under the serota tradition. After a British and Swazi force defeated Sekhukhune in 1879, Wikipedia says Sir Garnet Wolseley installed Mampuru as king.
1882 and the Ndzundza
Wikipedia says Mampuru said Sekhukhune was plotting to regain the throne and ordered his murder, and that Sekhukhune was stabbed to death at Manoge on 13 August 1882. South African History Online’s account of the Ndebele says Mampuru fled to the Ndzundza chief Nyabela, who refused to hand him over. A commando under Piet Joubert set out from Middelburg on 30 October 1882 and after nearly nine months the Ndzundza surrendered at Mapoch’s Caves and handed Mampuru over. See our Ndzundza page for that siege.
Trial and hanging
Wikipedia says Mampuru was arrested and charged with public violence, revolt and the murder of Sekhukhune, and that his arrest was linked to his opposition to the hut tax imposed by the South African Republic. He was hanged in public at Pretoria Central Prison on 22 November 1883, and the article says the first attempt failed when the rope broke, so he was hanged a second time. South African History Online’s Ndebele history also gives 22 November 1883. The South African History Online page on the Pedi wars gives 1881, which does not fit the other accounts.
Izithakazelo and totem
We have not found a published text of Mampuru’s praises or a confirmed totem, so we are not printing either. If you belong to the Mampuru house and recite the direto, we would like to record them, with your permission and credited to you.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Mampuru II (cites Theal, History of South Africa from 1873 to 1884, and news reports; it also cites the commission’s determination on Bapedi paramountcy)
- South African History Online: Ndebele history
- South African History Online: Pedi and Anglo-Pedi wars, 1876 to 1879
Do you belong to the Mampuru house? Tell us your praises and what elders say about the history, and we will add it, credited to you. Share what you know or WhatsApp 065 138 8213.