Times Of Swaziland: LET’S CELEBRATE THESE HEROES

LET’S CELEBRATE THESE HEROES
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The Editor on 14/09/2017 01:37:00


Sir,
Please allow me space in your widely read newspaper to pay tribute to some of
our fallen great heroes who fought gallantly to increase the country’s
boundaries while at the same time ensuring that the nation was protected from
foreign aggression.
They deserve to be appreciated for the sacrifices that they made to make this
beautiful land available to us and our children.
Prince Mbilini: He was a celebrated warrior who had a strong following as a
leader of his regiment. He defeated a number of communities in the southern
border of the country. He later defected to the Zulus where he emerged
victorious in the battle of Intombe while fighting alongside the Zulus, during
the Anglo-Zulu war. He was King Mbandzeni’s half-brother.
Sandlane Zwane: He was a member of the Tichele Regiment. Later he became indvuna
of Ludzidzini. He supported Mawewe Ndwandwe (King Mswati II’s brother-in-law)
against Mila Ndwandwe. He also supported Queen Regent Tsandzile Ndwandwe after
King Mswati II’s death and played a critical role in the appointment of King
Mbandzeni. He dominated the politics of the country from the 1870s to around
1890. The Sandlane Border Post in the western boundary of the country is named
after him.
Matsafeni Shongwe: He was sent by King Mswati II to expel the Sotho people who
were living in the Hhohho area. He also deposed King Mlaleni of the Matsaba
people. The king gave him an enormous area that stretched from Hhohho down to
the confluence of the Lomati and Komati Rivers at Tonga in South Africa, as a
reward for his bravery.
Matsafeni Mdluli: He was an indvuna of King Mswati II’s army. He, together
with Matsafeni Shongwe, fought and conquered the Sothos and other smaller tribes
in the Mpumalanga province. King Mswati II rewarded him with land in the same
province, however, later, his land was given to Matsafeni Shongwe after he
angered King Mbandzeni.
Matsamo Shongwe: He was the son of Matsafeni Shongwe. He was a celebrated
warrior who fought wars with the Venda, Pedi and Mabhudu tribes in Mozambique.
Prince Fata: He was given an area at Ntontozi by King Mswati II as a reward for
being ingwazi. He is also known for handing over the throne to his elder
brother, Prince Ndzabambi, in a show of respect.
Prince Sobhiyose: He was a member of the Inyatsi Regiment. He established the
Mbhuleni Royal Kraal along the upper Komati River in Badplaas, South Africa.
King Mswati II honoured him with a vast area stretching from Mnyamatsini to the
Nkomazi River with areas such as Mpolonjeni, Motshane and Nkhaba falling under
his jurisdiction.
He also performed the first fruit celebrations rituals (abevula Incwala) at the
old Ludzidzini Royal Kraal. He is known to have strongly supported the
appointment of Bhunu as king. He died at a very old age and the Queen Mother
Labotsibeni once cautioned that he should never be killed for fear of risking
upsetting the ancestors.
Thintitha Dlamini: He was a member of the Ndlavela Regiment and fought the war
with the Pedi in 1879. He was known to be violent and rebellious. He was killed
by the British when he tried to escape from prison.
I implore government and the nation at large to utilise one of the public
holidays to celebrate these warriors and all others whom I could not mention
(due to limited space) for the enormous role that they played in fighting for
this country and building the Swazi nation.
Linda Dlamini