The killing of over 180 people who were killed in Ntabelanga 96 years ago, known as the Bulhoek Massacre, will be commemorated today.
According to the South African History Online website, a battle lasting less than 30 minutes between police and Israelites, followers of prophet Enoch Mgijima, led to the deaths of over 180 people. The battle started after police issued an ultimatum demanding that the Israelites evacuate land they were squatting on and warned that if they failed to comply, their leader would be arrested and their homes demolished.
The grandson of Enoch Mgijima, whom the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality is named after, Mongameli Mgijima, said the people of the region needed to know the origins of the area.
“People must not just use the name without knowing who it is and for what it stands. This is a part of our history and is important to us.”
