Page 90 - Heritage Streets of KwaMashu 2025

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HERITAGE STREETS OF KWA-MASHU
SECTION J
EZIHLAHLENI
The Section of “J” is of streets named after the trees mainly used for healing and mostly eatable. It is an open secret that traditional medicine practice is deep- rooted in African cultures. Approximately 80% of southern Africa’s population relies on medicinal plants for its primary healthcare needs because modern medicine is either inaccessible or expensive.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines African traditional medicine as follows:
“The total sum of all knowledge and practices, whether explicable or not, used in diagnosis, prevention, and elimination of physical, mental, or societal imbalance, and relying exclusively on practical experience and observation handed down from generation to generation, whether verbally or in writing.”
Mnyezane/Myezane (willow tree):
uMnyezane tree is mostly found near the river, stream, or dam. It has leaves similar to the dreadlocks of izangoma. Sometimes it is referred to as the “connector tree” - the “soul tree” as it acts as the connector between two worlds. It is an important healing tree for a variety usage. Some sangomas add it to their white medicines of luck concoctions and assist in revealing deep secrets during divining (ukuhlola). Young tree branches are used to make baskets and the wood is carved to make household, as well as decorative items. Traditional usage includes applying bark powder to burns and brewing tea from the leaves to treat rheumatism. UMnyezane bark can also relieve menstrual cramps and bring down a fever. Leaves are eaten by livestock while roots are used in medicines that help cure stomach pains, fever, and headaches. Its bark can be an effective treatment for
reducing arthritis. UMnyezane is always green even in winter/ dry season. You hardly find this tree anywhere and wherever you see it you must know there is a river nearby. In Zulu precolonial history, uMyezane was the highest accolade presented to Zulu warriors who have proved their dexterity in the service of their people. The wood of the Umzimbethe or uMyezane tree was specially reserved, on pain of death, for the Zulu king. From it, little dumbell-shaped beads were cut, which if strung together formed an interlocking necklace. These beads were given to Zulu warriors who specially distinguished themselves in battle. A warrior wearing a necklace of these beads was highly respected.
Mdoni:
There is even a Zulu saying relating to uMdoni (water berry tree) which says “indoni yamanzi” - a reference to a beautiful girl, with a dark complexion.
Msinsi:
Umsinsi is one of the trees very crucial when building and landmarking a Zulu homestead. The tree is usually planted in the centre of the yard or just above the cattle kraal. This tree symbolises the existence of a homestead and even when the area has been vacated it forms an indicator that there was once a home there. In some cases, such trees as umsinsi, umthombo, umgadankawu (usolo), umgoswana, umbhombe, umnungumabele (not umlungumabele) have assisted when there is a need during land claim situations.
Here is an example of a proverbial expression:
“unguMsinsi wokuzimilela” – an original person from the area.
iBoza:
This tree is planted in many Zulu homes. It is a herb utilized to heal or suppress any kind of strong cough – whether used on its own or mixed with other herbs. Some other people mix it with inhlaba or umunyane (utshwalabenyoni) or umsuzwane in the fight against any form of cough or flu infection. Sometimes to treat a strong flu, people could start with umhlonyane (which acts as an anti-biotic) and then follow it with the drinking of iboza concoction. Iboza is sometimes mixed with natural pure honey for coughing (honey collection was popular amongst the Langeni/Mhlongo people – such that when some of them descended to eSwatini their Langeni surname even changed to Masinga – because they practice honey collection –“besinga