Masichub'isikhwebu by Mphumzi Rumsel Xonxa Review
Thursday, 22nd August 2024
BOOK REVIEW
Masichub'isikhwebu by Mphumzi Rumsel Xonxa is a novel that everyone is raving about, so Makhanda resident, Sino Duda decided to take a go at reading it for #ThrowbackThursday.
"The book Masichub'isikhwebu was enjoyable to read even though I am not a history expert. It gave me a great deal of knowledge about Xhosa warrior history.
Tatu Ramie, the writer of the book, who goes by Councillor Xonxa in formal circles, says in it that he was raised in Pikoli in Ngqushwa. The fact that the location bears the name of one of our former Xhosa warriors, Duncan Pikoli, is something I was unaware of.
Tatu Ramie describes Pikoli as a talented rugby player in addition to being a legendary Xhosa warrior. Because he was good at rugby, he relocated to England after playing for Winter Rose here in Makhanda.
As Makhanda's youth, we are familiar with the narrative of "Ukuza kuka Nxele," but we were unaware of its true background until reading Tatu Ramie's book, which goes into depth about the life of uTatu Nxele—his real name was Makhanda. Interestingly, his nickname was Nxele because he was left-handed. I also got to find out where Makhanda's burial was.
Nongqawuse, the girl accused of the "National Suicide of the Xhosa," was another name I had heard of but was unaware of the fascinating backstory.
She drove 100,000 Xhosa to kill their cattle, damage their crops, and slowly starve to death as a result of her prophecies. Even though the terrible Xhosa Cattle-Killing events occurred more than a century ago, this book is still a compelling read.
The book also discusses significant Xhosa traditions, such the boy’s initiation ceremonies, which is an emotional topic among the Xhosa people. With the history of KwaNdancama, a Makhanda township, Tatu Ramie finishes this book. The burial sites there are the reason it got its name. Only the graves of the Njube-Lobengula family remain; the majority of black people's cemeteries were demolished.
Sino Duda is a recent graduate in tourist development and planning. She is passionate about tourism and sustainability, and she is working constantly in her hometown, Makhanda, to make sure that tourism is utilised to empower women and young people
