Soga and Dukwana: the Christian Struggle for Liberation in Mid 19Th Century South Africa

Abstract

Since founding of Black Consciousness Movement in 1960s black man's struggle for liberation in South Africa has taken on a new impetus, and continues to gather momentum despite restrictive ploys of government legislation and oppressive power of police. But what is often forgotten is that this development is part of an ongoing process which has its roots in black response to white encroachment in early nineteenth century; and that this finds its expression as much in non-violent Christian tradition of Ntsikana as in militant resistance movement of his contemporary and rival, Nxele. Tiyo Soga has been regarded by some as the father of Black nationalism in South Africa.' In fact he was already heir to Ntsikana tradition as handed down by his father, Old Soga, and Dukwana, son of Ntsikana. It is in lives of these two men, one a hereditary councillor and leader of independent peasant movement, and other leader of school people in first permanent Xhosa mission, that we see beginnings of a black consciousness which grapples with much same problems as leaders of liberation movement today.