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The year 2006 marks 100 years of the Bhambatha Poll Tax Rebellion, popularly known as the Bhambatha Rebellion of 1906.
The Bhambatha Centenary Committee was formed as a result of there being the need not only to commemorate the 100 years of the 1906 Uprising but also to commemorate it beyond 2006. An all-inclusive Committee comprising of amaKhosi akwaZondi, throughout KZN, amaKhosi aKwaShezi, Researchers/Historians, SANDF Reserve Forces, Creative Artists and other identified stakeholders e.g. descendants of participants in the uprising was formed. The significance of the uprising and its aftermath necessitated the partnership with Government.
A Working Committee has been tasked with the planning and preparation of these celebrations. As such the Working Committee has identified what is referred to as the prerequisites for honouring iNkosi uBhambatha.
CONTEXT
The Bhambatha Centenary Commemoration must not be viewed in isolation to the broader history of KwaZulu-Natal and indeed the country as a whole. Our history is interconnected and colonialism was an overarching system that did not have geometric boundaries. The Kings' Campaign is already on high gear with billboards having been erected to celebrate the heroic deeds of King Cetshwayo and King Dinuzulu. It has taken the heritage debate to the people.
In a nutshell, this campaign allows people to identify with their heroes so that they start valuing themselves. It also elevates their consciousness about who they are and where they can go as a people. The campaign will finally give people in our province an opportunity to look at their own heritage in their respective geographical areas to take pride in what their people contributed to the development of their communities from fighting against colonialism, the liberation of their communities from apartheid to the development of their communities moving forward.
In June 2005, the members of the Freedom Park Council visited KZN detailing to us the role of each province in the Month of Reconciliation - December. At this meeting, Dr Wally Serote explained why KwaZulu-Natal should commemorate the Wars of Resistance. It was further stated that most of the wars against colonialism were fought in this province.
The commemoration of these wars will be most central to the events of the year 2006, the most outstanding of which was that of Bhambatha kaMancinza where he led one of the most prominent uprisings against Poll Tax in 1906. The Bhambatha War which marks its 100th year this year will indeed be major event of the year for 2006. The Bhambatha Centenary.
The year 2006 will, again give KwaZulu-Natal people an opportunity to contextualise these uprisings of 1906 in the broader context of the struggle against colonialism in the early 1900s leading to the formation of the ANC in 1912.
Starting from January 2006, another one of the most important dates already announced in 2006 was the 22nd of January as KwaZulu-Natal Day of Heroes/Heroines. This is the day King Cetshwayo defeated the British Army in 1879. On the 19th of January 2006, in celebration of the iSandlwana events this year, the Premier was invited by the local people of iSandlwana where he launched the first local heritage forum of the province. This was called iSandlwana Local Heritage Forum. This forum encompasses the local amaKhosi and communities which were most affected by the war of iSandlwana.
For all the major wars of the province, there will be formation of such Heritage Forums amongst which will be the Bhambatha Local Heritage Forum including all the amaKhosi and communities of the areas which played a role in the Bhambatha War.
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