This week we consider what has been called the battle of Grahamstown, an incident that happened in 1819. Having to describe what it was, I stumbled upon a speech which Reverend Dr Wandile Kuse gave on the matter.
This week we consider what has been called the battle of Grahamstown, an incident that happened in 1819. Having to describe what it was, I stumbled upon a speech which Reverend Dr Wandile Kuse gave on the matter.
These are some of the things he said: “There is no shame nor disgrace in defeat when the vanquished had fought courageously.
We hold our heads high and walk tall, for this land is enriched by the blood of freedom. In the annals of this country, the heroes of 1819 stand high on the roll of honour. “You are not opposing British or Xhosa forces. You are serious and principled men and women, committed to forging unity and the building of a South African nation.
“One hundred and eighty years ago this was a battlefield. On 1819 a British army invaded Xhosa land and wreaked havoc and destruction and the illustrious Xhosa chief Ndlambe marshalled the Xhosa nation in defence of the fatherland.
“The amaXhosa army mounted a counter-offensive and advanced on Grahamstown, the forwarded British position. Over-confident in their numerical superiority the Xhosa commander, Makhanda, son of Bhalala, fondly called Nxele, sent a taunting message to the British commander Colonel Wilshire, telling him to ‘expect him for breakfast the following morning’.
“Forewarned, the British prepared their defences well and when the Xhosa army appeared over the hills and rushed down towards the British camp on the morning of 22 April 1819, British guns blazed a withering barrage that slowed down the charging Xhosa warriors.”
For the time being we can stop there and continue with this speech next time. Sweet and sour, prickly and gentle Driving along the Eastern Cape during the summer months of January and February, you cannot fail to notice this fruit being sold along the side of the road. You will notice women mostly with buckets, tin dishes and plastic bags of this tolofiya.
Itolofiya makes a beer known as iqhilika and which has a distinctive taste (sweet and sour). This drink has been drunk by people on the farms for many decades.
The brewers see it as gentle, a drink which does not make one aggressive. There are conflicting views about itolofiya.
Some have enjoyed its presence while others have tried to eradicate it. It has been a scourge to some commercial farmers but a blessing to impoverished women especially in rural and small towns like Grahamstown.
Very recently William Beinart and Luvuyo Wotshela produced a 268-page book assessing the historical role of this plant in our vast country. This book is called italPrickly Pear/ital.
