Makana (prophet)

Makhanda' (also spelled Makana) who was also known as Nxele (The left-handed) (died 25 December 1819) was a Xhosa warrior, war doctor, philosopher and prophet who, during the Xhosa Wars, led an attack against the British garrison at Grahamstown in 1819.

Makhanda was born near the coast in the Uitenhage area of the Eastern Cape around 1780. His father was a Xhosa man by the name of Gwala from the amaCwerha clan and his mother was a Khoikhoi woman of the Gqunukhwebe clan. Makhanda's father Gwala died when he was a young boy and he was brought up by his mother and came under a strong Gqunukhwebe traditional influence. His mother spiritual diviner and medicine woman. Makhanda’s persona as one later to be recognised as an ‘inyanga’ was rooted in the early guidance of his mother and in his Gqunukhwebe roots. The Xhosa also particularly held the Khoikhoi and San spiritual guides in high esteem. After Makhanda's father died, his mother took him and his siblings to the Great Fish River Valley where they lived with his foster father Balala. It is unclear when Makhanda came into contact with Christianity. Missionary Dr James van der Kemp had established a mission station in Bethelsdorp in 1799. Makhanda may have come into contact with the Christian through this time. Makhanda advocated peace and denounced the use of magic after converting to Christianity. During his days as a wandering preacher, an incident had occurred where he came under assault from a gang of detractors and was rescued by one of Chief Ndlambe’s councillors Qalanga. It was this patron who introduced Makana to the royal chief of Rharhabe, Ndlambe. He soon became the advisor and military doctor to Chief Ndlambe around 1812. When Makhanda entered the royal office, he spoke at great lengths with the Rev. Vanderlingen, the chaplain at Grahamstown, and with the missionary John Read, about theology and cosmology as he slowly increased his following and influence among the Rarhabe. Up to 1816, he viewed missionaries as coworkers in the same cause. Missionary John Read described Makhanda as “a stout and handsome man, who commands respect.”

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