Contact Artefacts please if you have any comments or more information regarding this record.	Menu Home Upfront Now Up Books Towns Structures People Firms Lexicon		Kruger National Park : Chief Nyongane's Heritage Site and Grave Kruger Park, Mpumalanga - Limpopo

Date: n.d. Client: KNP Type: Grave Status: Extant   Click to view large map Coordinates: 25°06'53.78" S 31°12'34.80" E Alt: 549m

A semi-circular stratified random rubble wall behind grave bearing interpretative panels which read: LIFE HISTORY OF CHIEF NYONGANE Chief Nyongane Shikuvati Mkhabela, son of Mhaleni Mkhabela and Ngantangu Ntandane was a royal headman who used to live within the boundaries of the Kruger National Park long before the Park was established on 31st May 1926. The Chief was a respectable and righteous leader, councillor, advisor, and as a traditional captain, married seven wives, fathered 36 children and had 102 grandchildren (born only to his sons) [i.e counting only those born of his sons]. He was known as a wise man who provided advice to the first game warden Stevenson-Hamilton and rangers like Harry Harry Wolhuter, such as the ideal conditions for living and settlement of employees in the Park. As a farmer, carpenter and livestock breeder, he was also commissioned to provide fresh milk from his livestock to the Park's Rest-camps. Forced removals of black communities from the Park took place in the 1930's and eviction notices (Trekpasse in Afrikaans) were issued with the following wording; "The bearer, resident of Pretorius kop area of Kruger National Park is hereby given 90 (ninety) days' notice to remove himself, his family and his possessions from the confines of the Kruger National Park and to seek residence elsewhere". On top of the cruel eviction notices, veterinary health authorities enforced disease control in 1939 with the elimination of all cloven hooved animals when foot-and-mouth disease became epidemic in the region. This was followed by an animal holocaust when culling of cattle was the order of the day, and animal carcasses were dumped into mass graves. Forty of Chief Nyongane's cattle were shot by Park officials together with those of his descendants and the mass grave of their cattle is not far from this site. The Chief passed away in 1940 due to heart break over his decimated wealth and the emotional loss of his precious cattle. Chief Nyongane was buried here close to an apple-leaf tree where prized artefacts like his red-enamel teapot, torch and other personal belongings are being protected by a grave cover. Chief Nyongane shall be remembered by his extended progeny as a dignified leader, fair father, passionate farmer, and his life and legacy will be honoured by this heritage landmark. [See also Kruger National Park : Memorials and markers]. [Read article of the unveiling in the Lowvelder].