In Episode 183, we delve deep into the events of 1850 and the start of 1851, as the Eighth Frontier War unfolds across the Eastern Cape. This war, also known as Mlanjeni’s War, was a pivotal moment in the history of South Africa, marked by brutal battles, shifting allegiances, and extraordinary acts of survival. As we explore this chapter of history, we’ll see how the war tested the resilience of individuals and communities on both sides of the conflict.
The Fragility of Truth in War
“In war, truth is the first casualty,” as the ancient Greek tragedian Aeschylus once said. Aeschylus, who fought in the front lines against the Persians at Marathon in 490 BC, knew the horrors of war firsthand. His work, Persians, financed by Pericles, was a commentary on the consequences of war, much like how Samuel Johnson echoed this sentiment centuries later. In 1758, Johnson wrote in The Idler: “Among the calamities of War may be justly numbered the diminution of the love of truth, by the falsehoods which interest dictates and credulity encourages.”
Credulity, or the willingness to believe without sufficient evidence, is a persistent theme in human history. As modern consumers of media, we must be wary of this tendency, especially in the context of historical narratives. This podcast series strives to avoid credulity by relying on original sources, documents, and oral history, cross-referencing whenever possible. The history of Southern Africa, like all history, is full of instances where credulity is punctured by reality, especially during times of conflict.
The Outbreak of Mlanjeni’s War: December 1850
On Christmas Day 1850, the Eighth Frontier War broke out, plunging the Eastern Cape into chaos. The British military villages along the Thyumie River, including Auckland, Juanasburg, and Woburn, were burned down. British soldiers were killed, and the region was engulfed in violence.
Amidst the turmoil, missionary Robert Niven and his family found themselves fleeing the warzone on Boxing Day. Their journey to safety was fraught with danger as they encountered amaXhosa warriors who seized their horses and valuables. Despite these threats, the family was miraculously allowed to continue on foot, with Rebecca Niven, an invalid suffering from a respiratory illness, struggling to keep up.
The Niven family’s ordeal was a microcosm of the larger conflict. They were caught between two worlds—British and Xhosa—each vying for control of the Eastern Cape. As they approached the Thyumie mission, they encountered another group of warriors led by Chief Xayimpi. What followed was an extraordinary moment of humanity amidst the horrors of war.
An Unexpected Act of Mercy
The Niven family was on the brink of annihilation. Surrounded by amaXhosa warriors, they were forced to empty their pockets. But instead of being killed, they were allowed to continue their journey. As they reached the summit of the Amatola Mountains, they saw the smoking ruins of the military villages below. Despite the danger, Robert Niven chose to descend into the valley, risking everything for the sake of faith and providence.
As the warriors approached the family once more, they demanded to know who they were. When Niven explained that he was a missionary, an old warrior pointed to his carpenter, Bell, and declared, “He must die like the white men who are killing us.” Tensions escalated, and the family seemed doomed. However, a group of amaXhosa women intervened, ultimately saving their lives.
This act of mercy was as inexplicable as it was profound. The warriors, who had been moments away from killing the family, hesitated. The sight of the tearful children and the dignified resilience of Robert and Rebecca seemed to change something in them. The amaXhosa women brought milk for the children, and two elder warriors escorted the family to safety at Fort White.
The Siege of Fort Cox: Governor Harry Smith’s Desperation
While the Niven family made their perilous journey, Governor Harry Smith was trapped in Fort Cox. Surrounded by jubilant amaXhosa warriors, Smith faced a dire situation. The entire Cape Colony was in danger, and Smith had only 5,000 regular troops to defend it. Worse still, the British had alienated both the Khoekhoe and the Boers, two groups they now desperately needed for support.
The British had recently fought a short war against the Boers, annexing their territory, while the Khoekhoe had been mistreated at the Kat River Settlement. The only group that remained somewhat loyal to the British were the amaMfengu, but they numbered only 400. Even the Xhosa police, who had been assisting the British, deserted on Boxing Day, joining forces with Sandile and the prophet Mlanjeni.
In a state of panic, Smith sent an urgent dispatch to the Lieutenant Governor of Natal, begging for a Zulu army of 3,000 men to attack the amaNgqika from the east. This desperate plea highlighted the precariousness of the British position. Smith was even willing to rely on King Mpande of the Zulu, whom he had previously derided as a savage, to save the British from destruction.
The Trials of Missionary George Brown
While Smith struggled to maintain control, another missionary, George Brown, faced his own ordeal. Brown, who had been ordered to appear at a hearing on Christmas Day, left his wife Janet and their baby behind at the Iqibira mission station. As he tried to return to his family on December 28th, he was confronted by armed warriors and taken to Chief Maqoma.
Maqoma, a key leader in the amaXhosa resistance, questioned Brown’s loyalty. The chief expressed frustration with missionaries who fled to military posts during times of war, leaving the Xhosa to fend for themselves. Brown tried to explain his situation, but Maqoma was unimpressed. He demanded that Brown write to Governor Smith, asking why the war had broken out in the first place.
The Enigmatic Figure of Hermanus Matroos
At this point in the story, we encounter one of the most remarkable figures of the Eighth Frontier War: Hermanus Matroos, also known as Ngxukumeshe. A large and imposing man, Matroos was a master of navigating the complex political landscape of the frontier. Born in the late 18th century to an escaped slave father and a Xhosa mother, Matroos grew up speaking both Dutch and isiXhosa, making him a valuable asset to both the Xhosa and the British.
Matroos was a man of many faces. He worked as an interpreter for the Boers, the British, and the Xhosa, using his linguistic skills to play all sides against each other. He was naturalized as a British citizen while also serving as a councillor (mpakati) to Chief Ngqika. His ability to switch allegiances made him a formidable player in the power struggles of the time.
Despite his many betrayals, Matroos was indispensable to both the British and the Xhosa. He managed to secure arms and ammunition from the British even as he supported Maqoma in the war. By the time George Brown encountered him, Matroos was in command of at least 900 amaXhosa warriors.
The Complexity of Loyalty in the Frontier War
Hermanus Matroos embodies the complexity of loyalty during the Eighth Frontier War. His shifting allegiances reflect the broader dynamics of the conflict, where individuals and communities were forced to navigate a constantly changing political landscape. For Matroos, survival meant playing all sides, even if it meant betraying those who trusted him.
Yet, as history would eventually show, such duplicity could only last for so long. Matroos’ fate, like that of many others in this war, would be sealed by the very actions that allowed him to survive for so long.
The War Rages On
As the flames of war spread across the Eastern Cape, the British were struggling to maintain control. Governor Smith’s pleas for help from the Zulu king, and his increasingly erratic letters about exterminating the amaXhosa, reveal a man on the brink of collapse. Meanwhile, the amaNgqika, under leaders like Maqoma and supported by figures like Hermanus Matroos, were determined to reclaim their land and sovereignty.
This war was one of the most significant conflicts in South African history, shaping the future of the region for decades to come. It was a war of survival, resistance, and betrayal—a war that tested the limits of human endurance and the resilience of communities.
As we continue to explore the history of South Africa in this podcast series, we will see how the Eighth Frontier War unfolded and its lasting impact on the people and the land.
Stay tuned for more episodes as we delve deeper into this pivotal chapter of South African history. And don’t forget to rate the episode on your favorite podcast platform and visit DesmondLatham.blog to sign up for our newsletter.
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