Region’s rich heritage must be used to attract tourists

Turn Nelson Mandela’s grave into a heritage site and sell stories of revered and legendary warrior traditional leaders like Mhlontlo, Hintsa and Maqoma to the rest of the world.

That was political analyst professor Somadoda Fikeni’s call to the Eastern Cape government at a commemoration of AmaMpondomise King Mhlontlo at Kroza Great Place in Qumbu this week.

Fikeni said it was time the province used its rich cultural heritage and unique tourism attractions to boost the local economy.

Mandela’s grave has never been opened to the public, either by his family or government.

“Nelson Mandela lies buried in Qunu. If we can make documentaries and films on Madiba,  kings Mhlontlo and Hintsa and the likes of Maqoma, Makhanda and Stokwe, they would be best-sellers. But what are we doing about this rich history? How are we integrating these things, do we have a heritage route?” Fikeni asked.

He said the onus was on black people to write their own histories.

“We cannot take as biblical truth the history of African people written by colonialists. The recording of oral history is  not the sole responsibility of traditional leaders or government, it is  everyone’s responsibility.”

Renowned historian and author professor Jeff Peires, who delivered the inaugural King Mhlontlo Memorial Lecture, described Mhlontlo as a deep thinker and brave leader who took the fight to the colonialists.

“King Mhlontlo was the first traditional leader to have understood the importance of unity among black nations. He fought courageously against the colonial government,”  Peires said.

Mhlontlo, who ruled in the 1800s, was stripped of his royal status by the British colonial government in 1904 following the killing of Qumbu magistrate Hamilton Hope during the 1880/81 Mpondomise revolt.

Mhlontlo died in 1912.

AmaMpondomise kingship was only restored by President Cyril Ramaphosa on July 24 —116 years after it was withdrawn.

“It had previously been denied by both the Nhlapo and Tolo commissions, but AmaMpondomise remained resolute to have their kingship restored,”  Peires said.

Speaking on behalf of AmaMpondomise King Luzuko Zwelozuko Matiwane, royal spokesperson Nkosi Mnoneleli Ranuga said: “We are very delighted that ultimately our kingship has been restored and recognised, let alone that it took a legal route to happen. We are expecting a letter from president Ramaphosa next week confirming that he has signed a kingship recognition certificate for our king.”

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