From Battlefields to Bursts of Poetry: Exploring our Heritage
Thursday, 11th September 2025
Tourism and Heritage Month is the perfect time to rediscover the stories, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped Makhanda. This historic city is more than just its landscapes — it is a living archive of culture, resilience, and artistry. Recently, we embarked on a heritage tour that traced the footsteps of warriors, poets, and communities who have kept our traditions alive.
Guided by Unathi Klaas and the team from Imbumba Yeemboni, a non-profit dedicated to preserving Makhanda’s history, and accompanied by the city’s celebrated praise poet Akhona 'Bhodl’ingqaka' Mafani, the journey revealed the depth and richness of our collective memory.
The Echoes of Egazini Battlefield
Our tour began at the Egazini Battlefield in Fingo Village, where Akhona Mafani’s praise poetry brought history to life. Here, the legacy of Makhanda ka Nxele, the warrior whose leadership shaped our community, resonated with every word. This site is not just a battlefield; it is a reminder of courage, resistance, and the enduring spirit of the AmaXhosa people.
“Every step we take here reminds us of the stories that shaped who we are today,” said Akhona during the tour.
Luvuyo Hall: Remembering King Lobengula
Next, we visited Luvuyo Hall, where the graves of King Lobengula and his family lie in solemn remembrance. Wongalethu Luguxa from Imbumba Yeemboni shared the painful history of the Matabeleland wars and colonial incursions led by Cecil John Rhodes in 1894.
Here, the story of loss is personal: King Lobengula’s grandson and heir rests beside his mother, Queen Mpoiyane, and his son, Rhodes. These graves are more than historical markers; they are poignant reminders of the human cost of empire and the importance of preserving our heritage.
eNcedweni: The Stone of Hope
From there, the tour led us to eNcedweni, home to the symbolic stone commemorating ‘Ukuza kuka Nxele’ — the promised return of Makhanda ka Nxele. Though he never returned, the stone stands as a testament to hope and resilience.
“Makhanda ka Nxele inspired generations to hold onto hope,” explained Unathi Klaas. “This stone is a symbol of that enduring legacy.”
Intaba YeZono: A Mountain of Prayers and Pain
The journey then took us to Intaba YeZono, once called the Mountain of Zion. Here, women historically gathered to pray for rain, while the site later gained a darker reputation as a place of sorrow. Akhona Mafani explained that the mountain’s history embodies both the community’s aspirations and its struggles — a place where hope and hardship coexist.
Egazini Outreach: Transforming Pain into Purpose
At Egazini Outreach Project in Extension 6, the past is deeply tangible. This site was once a place of suffering, where people endured imprisonment and torture. Today, it has been transformed into a space of empowerment, offering craft-making, beadwork, and adult education classes.
“Turning a site of pain into a place of creativity shows our resilience as a community,” said Lungelwa Diko of Imbumba Yeemboni.
Dakawa Arts and Crafts Community Centre: Creativity and Continuity
Our final stop was Dakawa Arts and Crafts Community Centre, a vibrant hub for Makhanda’s artists and crafters. The centre has roots in the Dakawa Project, which began in Tanzania in 1986 as part of a vocational skills initiative linked to the ANC. Today, it continues to foster creativity, skill development, and SMME growth in the Eastern Cape.
Preserving Makhanda’s Living Heritage
This journey through Makhanda reminds us that history is not only preserved in books or monuments but also in stories, poetry, and creative expression. From battlefields to bursts of poetry, every site tells a story of resilience, culture, and identity.
For locals and visitors alike, exploring these heritage sites is a chance to connect with the past, appreciate the present, and inspire future generations. Makhanda’s history is alive — and it is waiting to be discovered.
