Traditional leaders renew campaign to relocate King Sandile’s remains

The South African House of Traditional Leaders has renewed its campaign for the remains of AmaRharhabe King Sandile kaNgqika and his sons to be relocated and reburied “with dignity” at the Ntaba kaNdoda memorial site in Mngqesha, outside Keiskammahoek. The deputy chair of the house, iNkosi Langa Mavuso, raised the issue at the South African National Traditional Leaders Awards at the weekend. In his address, Mavuso called on the Eastern Cape government and municipalities to support and fund the initiative, which seeks to honour one of the most revered figures in Xhosa history.

Mavuso urged Buffalo City Metro mayor Princess Faku to facilitate the relocation effort. He also called on the Amathole and OR Tambo district municipalities and the Amahlathi Local Municipality to assist in securing funding for the initiative. King “Mgolombane” Sandile’s grave, which has been vandalised, is in Cumakala (formally Stutterheim).

The remains of his sons, Gonya kaSandile and Faku kaSandile, are buried in Centane after colonial forces banished them from their lands along the Keiskamma River. King “Mgolombane” Sandile fought in three frontier wars. He died in action during the last frontier war of Ngcayichibi in June 1878.

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The conflict ended the following year. “We believe the time has come to give King Sandile and his sons the dignified burial they deserve,” Mavuso said. “When Maqoma and Sandile were found guilty by the colonial court in Qonce, the AmaRharhabe nation [sought] refuge in Centane at the time.

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