By Motshwari Mo Mofokeng
This week, KwaMondi near Eshowe turned into a site of reflection and historical acknowledgment as the
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture celebrated the life and sacrifice of Maqhamusela
Khanyile, who is widely regarded as the first Christian martyr in Sub-Saharan Africa. The event, organized in collaboration with the Lutheran Church, Amafa Heritage KwaZulu-Natal, and local municipalities, commemorated 149 years since Khanyile’s passing on March 9, 1877. Community leaders, church representatives, and government officials came together to pay tribute to a man whose faith ultimately led to his death.
During the event, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Affairs Rev. Musa Zondi spoke on behalf of the government, using the opportunity to address long-held historical inaccuracies regarding Khanyile’s death. He pointed out that it has often been mistakenly stated that Khanyile was executed on the orders of King Cetshwayo.
“Historical records indicate that Maqhamusela served under King Cetshwayo,” Zondi clarified. “It is essential to tell his story accurately to honor both his faith and the historical context of his time.” Khanyile’s martyrdom continues to serve as a significant symbol of the fight for religious freedom. As South Africa observes Human Rights Month, this commemoration underscored the necessity of safeguarding the right to belief alongside other democratic liberties. In 2007, the province restored the Maqhamusela Khanyile Martyr’s Cross monument at oPhondweni, which is now officially recognized as a Provincial Heritage Site and stands as a lasting tribute to his sacrifice.
