Tracks in a Mountain Range: Exploring the History of the uKhahlamba –Drakensberg
John Wright and Aron Mazel (Wits University Press, 2007; R 180)
Reviewed by: Tim White
In December 2000 the uKhahlamba - Drakensberg Park was declared a World Heritage site in recognition of its scenic beauty, its biodiversity and its gallery of San rock art. These mountains have spawned a rich historical legacy. The authors of this sumptuously illustrated book, John Wright, an historian and Aron Mazel, an archaeologist have produced an accessible and tightly structured annaliste study of the Drakensberg which fills an important gap in South African historiography.
Our historical knowledge of the Drakensberg and its inhabitants is limited to the last 150 years or so when an influx of white settlers entered the region; their records aim to portray the past in their own image. Missionary records and collected oral testimony by officials, such as James Stuart, adds to our understanding of the immediate past. But we know little of the pre historic movement of peoples in the Drakensberg. Archaeological evidence suggests that the mountains were inhabited by Hunter – gatherers at least 8000 years ago. But the thoughts and feelings of these people are confined in the prison of the past as we draw our limited knowledge of them from the intermittent finds of food and bones. For the San, who were their descendents we are better off. In part, this is because of the work of individuals, such as Wilhelm Bleek, Lucy Lloyd, Joseph Orpen and others. But San artists have also left us a rich insight into their spiritual beliefs and daily lives. Black farmers also moved into the Drakensberg sometime during the 1300s and evidence suggests that they maintained a symbiotic relationship with the San Hunter – gatherers.
The area would become a cauldron of human activity during the early 19th century; the conflict and insecurity resulting from an increase in the ivory trade would lead to a dispersal of groups and the growth of the Ngwane under Matiwane and the Zulu under Shaka. The San would be drawn increasingly into a network of raiding and trading because of the insatiable demand for ivory and this economic base would eventually destroy them as it began to impinge on the economic activities of white colonists and also black farmers.
During the late 19th century the tentacles of imperial power began to spread throughout the colony and into the Drakensberg area. The subjugation of the Hlubi and subsequent mistrial and imprisonment of their leader Langalibalele demonstrated the extent to which the Natal administration would go towards protecting its white inhabitants and subduing any recalcitrant communities. Few were bold enough to demand justice in the face of official heavy – handedness. An exception was Bishop Colenso whose campaign in support of Langalibalele brought the affair into the public arena bringing some relief albeit not to Langalibalele himself
With the pacification of the Drakensberg and the closing of the frontier, the Natal administration could turn to domesticating the mountain as a means of sustaining the local economy. The mountain offered enormous tourist potential – climbing, hiking, fishing and culture. This gave rise to the first piece of heritage legislation in South Africa, the Bushman Relics Protection Act of 1911 and five years later the Natal National Park was established. The Drakensberg is now one of South Africa’s major tourist venues and as such needs to be sensitively managed for it is a delicate resource. Declaring it a World Heritage site should bring in much needed money to help towards this end.
