NGUNI HISTORY OF MPHEZENI


A satellite view of  Mkoma (Red Dot). The Luangwa is situated top left. Now, Old Petauke would be on the way between Luangwa and Kapandula village under Mambo Nyanje in Sinda district. 

Now Mkoma is another historical site for the Mphezeni Ngonis. This is where their sung hero of their story, Nsingo Jele was born in 1865. The acclaimed Ngoni Prince was born in the Luphoko Phakathi household. 

His father, Ntutho Mphezeni, had initially married Tombiyimbi but since she was barren the Great House status had shifted to the Lupoko house. 

Mphezeni had crossed the Luangwa in majestic style in 1860 on the Eastern front before camping at Mkoma and dislodging Chief Mbangombe five years later. After the birth of Nsingo, the Ngonis under Mphezeni again moved and entered Mozambique. They camped at the foot of the Mpinduka Hill but their villages reached as far as Chipili Hill on the West. 

It was here that celebrated villages such as Mfumbeni (the village of Queen Mtizwa Soko), Nyandeka (the village of Queen Nyandeka Mazyopa) and Emthenguleni gained much prominence.

In 1868, whilst camped at the Mpinduka Hill, old Induna Njekwane KaMpange, the father of Mujokwane (Kapatamoyo) died.

 In the same year, another warrior son of Ntutho Mphezeni, but this time from the Chipolo Makukula house is born at the Matambazi stream a few kilometers from the Mpinduka Hill. The boy was given the name Manziamabi (corrupted to Madzimawe), referring to the bitter/bad taste of the water at the stream.

The young prince was at one time given to be under the care of Queen Loziwawa Nxumalo of Emthenguleni village.

Two years later, the Ngonis are again on the move and they reach Lutembwe and Msipazi river two years later.

More children of Ntutho Mphezeni Jele are born. But allow us to single out one particular one who was born in the house of Queen Faisako,he is named Mgungu but his signature names becomes Maguya.

Satellite image provided by Richard Francis.

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