Page 77 - Heritage Streets of KwaMashu 2025

HERITAGE STREETS OF KWA-MASHU 73
just outside Vryheid – part of Ebaqulusini, Isidindi Somtshiki, kweleNtombazane (Princess Mkabayi reference). Oral narration says that King Mpande exiled Princess Mkabayi to this area out of fearing her. When Princess Makabayi arrived in this dry area, she complained and said she has been sent (“wendisiwe”) into a place with tall grass nor trees to hide when relieving yourself, kuyaquluswa nje obala. Princess Mkabayi was a twin- sister to Princess Mamma (oka-mama) – and she was supposed to be killed at birth as per pre-colonial Zulu culture (endiswe, angingiswe igabade). Etymologically, the name “Mka-Ba-Yi” means “umka-bani-lona?” (kazi uyogana bani lona?)
Maqongqo -The Battle of Maqongqo was fought on 29 January 1840, during the First Zulu Civil War between King Dingane and Mpande, (Mpande’s army was led by Nongalaza). Due to military defeats, the Zulu king Dingane lost the respect of a significant portion of the Zulu people. His brother Mpande sought to separate his followers from Dingane and drew support from an alliance with Boer settlers led by Andries Pretorius. Dingane agitated for Zulu unity, and Mpande attacked Dingane’s compound resulting in the battle of 29 January 1840. Mpande and his supporters were victorious. Shortly thereafter Dingane was murdered and Mpande became king of the Zulus. uVukuyibambe - The uVukayibambe ibutho was nominally formed by King Dinuzulu in 1912
uFalaza - AmaFal’ezulu, amaFu-la-ezulu. Kwashiwo ngoba uZulu es’efalaza nje, esethanda abelungu. The Zulu people turned into “Clouds of the Heavens”. Named thus because the Zulus were being tossed about hither and thither by their sentiments (as clouds are by the winds), for they were beginning to prefer the white people (to their people).