A bitter fight has broken out between two prominent traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal over the history of one of their great-grandfather’s involvement in the Battle of Isandlwana, when the Zulu army defeated the British army in January 1879.
This comes after the leader of Isandlwana village, Inkosi Mbhekiseni kaGadeleni Mazibuko, spoke about Mehlokazulu Ngobese’s role in the battle at a meeting in Nquthu in northern KZN. Mehlokazulu Ngobese was the great-grandfather of the controversial Inkosi Thathezakhe Ngobese of kwaKhiphinkunzi.
Sources told Scrolla.Africa that Ngobese was humiliated in the meeting held on Wednesday at the tribal authority offices at kwaMazibuko in Isandlwana village.
“I’m very angry that he chose to humiliate my great-grandfather Mehlokazulu and told the meeting that he was disgraced at Isandlwana because he killed his mother,” said Inkosi Ngobese.
“Does he understand why Mehlokazulu killed his mom during that time? I am so angry because the municipal officials who were part of the meeting told me they were shocked about these utterances.”
Ngobese has previously fought with Inkosi Mazibuko over the history of Isandlwana.
He fought over the development of the gravel road to the Isandlwana battlefields, claiming that despite his great-grandfather’s role in the battle, he was never informed about the project and that only Inkosi Mazibuko was afforded that opportunity.
Inkosi Mazibuko told Scrolla.Africa the meeting was between his tribe and the Amafa heritage agency of the provincial government to discuss the development of Isandlwana and control the number of visitors to the battlefields.
“The meeting was also about preserving wild animals on the battlefields … I don’t want to discuss things not part of the meeting. Yes, the name of his great-grandfather might have been mentioned since we might have also mentioned the names of the Commander in Chief of the battle of Isandlwana, Induna Mahole KaNtshingwayo Khoza,” said Inkosi Mazibuko.
Pictured above: Inkosi Thathezakhe Ngobese of kwaKhiphinkunzi and Inkosi Mbhekiseni kaGadeleni Mazibuko of Isandlwana.
Source: X
