Mpondo Kingdom

Origins

The Mpondo were a southern Nguni people whose royal genealogy reaches back many generations, settled between the Mtata and Mtamvuna rivers by the 17th century. The Mpondo grew powerful in the early 19th century under Faku, who survived raids by Shaka's Zulu Kingdom and absorbed refugees from the wars of that era.

Rule and society

Kings ruled through royal kin and councillors over cattle-keeping and farming homesteads, and the Great Place was the centre of justice and ritual. Faku signed a treaty with the Cape Colony in 1844 recognising his rule over a large territory. After his death in 1867 the kingdom divided into Eastern Pondoland under Mqikela and Western Pondoland under Ndamase.

Decline and legacy

Britain pressed for control of Port St Johns and the Pondoland coast. In 1894 Mqikela's successor Sigcawu was compelled to accept annexation to the Cape Colony. Pondoland was the scene of a major revolt against apartheid policies in 1960.