Makhanda

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Makhanda (d. 1820) (also known as Nxele in Xhosa or Links in Afrikaans, both words meaning "left-handed") was a Xhosa warrior-prophet. He renounced his Christian upbringing and became a strong advocate for returning to Xhosa tradition among the Ndlambe clan of the Xhosa.^[1]

During the frontier war of 1818 - 1819, he led an unsuccessful attack by Xhosa forces on Grahamstown. This gave the colonial government their long-desired excuse to drive the Xhosa across the Keiskamma River. Makhanda surrendered in 1819, accepting accountability for the high loss of life , and was banished to Robben Island. The island soon entered Xhosa mythology as the "Isle of Makhanda".^[1]

Governor Lord Charles Somerset made it clear that no other punishment than "loss of liberty" was to be meted out to him; consequently, he was given a separate room in the garden of John Murray, a local whaler and fisherman. These privileges did not entice him to stay on the island and he joined a mass jailbreak in 1820. However, Makhanda's boat capsized during the escape attempt and he drowned. According to legend he clung to a rock for a time, shouting encouragement to others, before finally being overpowered by the sea.^[1]