King Sekhukhune

Date: 30 August, 1882

The London Times, a British based newspaper, paid tribute to King Sekhukhuneof the Marota Empire, commonly known as the Bapedi Kingdom. The newspaper published an article praising King Sekhukhune for being a courageous and brave leader during “savage” periods in Southern Africa.

The tribute followed King Sekhukhune’s death on the night of 13 August 1882, when he was murdered by his half-brother, Mampuru. Mampuru claimed that he was the legitimate King of the Marota and that Sekhukhune had seized the throne on 21 September 1861, when their father Sekwati, died. After assassinating Sekhukhune, Mampuru escaped and sought refuge first with Chief Marishane (Masemola) and later with Nyabela, king of the Ndebeles.

The newspaper acknowledged the successes of Sekhukhune in resisting attempts by the Boer republic to annex his Kingdom

References:

1. African National Congress, 2007, ‘Umrabulo’[online] Available at www.anc.org.za [Accessed 01 July 2011] Kensey H.W., 1973 ‘The Sekhukhuni Wars part II’ 
2. from The South African Military History Society [online]. Available at www.samilitaryhistory.org [Accessed 01 July 2011]
3. Ezakwantu, n.d. ‘The Pedi- A North Sotho Tribe’[online] Available at www.ezakwantu.com [Accessed 01 July 2011]