Xhosa Resistance in the Frontier Wars

A 100-year war was fought in South Africa over land and cattle. In the Eastern Cape,

three groups clashed: the Xhosa, the Dutch Trekboers, and the British. The Xhosa believed

land was for everyone to share, but the European settlers believed in private ownership.

This conflict sparked nine brutal frontier wars. One of the most respected Xhosa

leaders, Chief Maqoma, fought back. He was a master of guerrilla warfare,

using his knowledge of the land to launch surprise attacks against the British. Despite his brilliant

tactics, he was eventually captured and imprisoned on Robben Island, forever becoming

a symbol of resistance.