1. Nongqawuse was born in 1841 near the Gxarha River in independent Xhosaland but close to the border of the recently established colony of British Kaffraria in Eastern Cape South Africa.
10 Facts About Nongqawuse
1. 2.
Nongqawuse is believed to have been quite conscious and aware of the tensions between the Xhosa and the Cape Colony.
3.
The orphaned Nongqawuse was raised by her uncle Mhlakaza, who was the son of a councillor of Xhosa King Sarili kaHintsa.
4.
Mhlakazi was to have a major influence in Nongqawuse's life, acting as an interpreter and organiser of her visions.
5.
When she returned, Nongqawuse told Mhlakaza that she had met the spirits of two of her ancestors.
6.
Nongqawuse claimed that the spirits had told her that the Xhosa people should destroy their crops and kill their cattle, the source of their wealth as well as food.
7.
Nongqawuse claimed that the ancestors who had appeared to them said:.
8.
Mhlakaza did not believe her at first but when Nongqawuse described one of the men, Mhlakaza recognised the description as that of his dead brother, and became convinced she was telling the truth.
9.
Nongqawuse predicted that the ancestors' promise would be fulfilled on February 18,1857, when the sun would become red.
10.
The valley where Nongqawuse alleged to have met the spirits is still called Intlambo kaNongqawuse.