In 1856, a young girl, Nongqawuse, saw visions, which we relayed and elaborated on by her uncle, Mhlakaza. The message was that the people were “tainted” and sacrifices would have to be made to cleanse them. All cattle should be slaughtered and there should be no cultivation. The dead would then rise and bring cattle and render assistance in driving the white men out of the land.
Those who believed followed this and the result was that thousands died of starvation. This is a sensitive and complex part of history and snap judgements should not be made. “The Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement” suggested in the first instance by the lung-sickness epidemic of 1853 tapped a deep-seated emotional and spiritual malaise resulting from material deprivation and military defeat.
This memorial can be found on the grounds of the King Williams Town Cemetery.