On a recent trip to Peddie, citizen journalist Odwa Funeka was inspired to look at his hometown in a new way. Here he recalls what he was told about the area and its people while he was growing up.
The area of Peddie, next to the Great Fish River was given to the amaMfengu by king of the amaXhosa, Hintsa, after they ran away from King Shaka's mfecane. People living in the more than 50 villages that make up Peddie are forced to move to big cities to get jobs. Those left behind depend on agriculture and social grants to put food on the table. Pineapple farms, under Ulimoquor Agricultural Scheme, were the biggest employer in the area during the 80s and early 90s until its closure in the late 90s. The amaMfengu people had two royal houses, led by Chief Njokweni and Chief Msutu, and rondavels are still a standard shelter for people living in the area.
On a recent trip to Peddie, citizen journalist Odwa Funeka was inspired to look at his hometown in a new way. Here he recalls what he was told about the area and its people while he was growing up.
The area of Peddie, next to the Great Fish River was given to the amaMfengu by king of the amaXhosa, Hintsa, after they ran away from King Shaka's mfecane. People living in the more than 50 villages that make up Peddie are forced to move to big cities to get jobs. Those left behind depend on agriculture and social grants to put food on the table. Pineapple farms, under Ulimoquor Agricultural Scheme, were the biggest employer in the area during the 80s and early 90s until its closure in the late 90s. The amaMfengu people had two royal houses, led by Chief Njokweni and Chief Msutu, and rondavels are still a standard shelter for people living in the area.
