Enoch Mgijima

The Bulhoek Massacre, which took place on 24 May 1921, was the tragic culmination of a strange chapter in South Africa’s history. At a time when the country was governed by Prime Minister Jan Smuts, the leader of the South African, lay preacher Enoch Mgijima became convinced that the end of the world was immanent. He convinced his followers of his vision and they converged on his town, Ntabelanga, to await the end.

Their apocalyptic mission came into conflict with the government’s laws, and their temporary settlement flouted the colonial laws of the time. The fervour of Mgijima’s followers precluded any negotiations – they were convinced the end was nigh and they were prepared to risk death in their wait for the Lord.

Eventually the police and army were called in to remove them, resulting in a clash in which hundreds died and many were wounded, in what is today known as the Bulhoek Massacre. Mgijima and the surviving followers were arrested and charged, and he died in 1929, five years after his release from prison.

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