The Langalibalele Rebellion of 1873 was a pivotal event in South African history, highlighting the tensions between the British colonial authorities and indigenous African leaders over issues of autonomy, resource control, and firearm possession. Central to this conflict was the skirmish at Bushman’s River Pass (Langalibalele Pass), where colonial forces suffered a significant defeat due to poor planning, navigational errors, and the strategic advantage held by the amaHlubi warriors.

Background to the Rebellion

Langalibalele, the hereditary chief of the amaHlubi people, was born around 1814. In 1849, he and his people settled in the British colony of Natal after fleeing conflicts with the Zulu kingdom. The British, particularly Theophilus Shepstone, welcomed the amaHlubi as a buffer between settler communities and other indigenous groups.

Tensions arose in the early 1870s when many amaHlubi men travelled to work in the diamond fields of Kimberley—some acquired firearms, which they returned to Natal as part of their remuneration. In 1873, the colonial administration, led by Resident Magistrate John Macfarlane, ordered Langalibalele to register these firearms. However, Langalibalele refused, citing his inability to account for all weapons possessed by his people. His refusal was perceived as defiance, leading Lieutenant Governor Sir Benjamin Pine to declare the amaHlubi in rebellion. 

The Skirmish at Bushman’s River Pass

In response to Langalibalele’s perceived rebellion, Major Anthony William Durnford was tasked with leading a military force to capture him. Expecting confrontation, Langalibalele and his followers sought refuge in Basutoland (modern-day Lesotho) via the Bushman’s River Pass.

Navigational Error and the Nhlawathimbe Pass

A critical mistake was made when the colonial troops were guided up the wrong route—Nhlawathimbe Pass instead of Bushman’s River Pass. This pass was steeper and more treacherous, causing delays and leaving the troops exhausted by the time they reached the summit. The amaHlubi, well-acquainted with the terrain, had already taken strategic positions at the top. This error placed the colonial forces vulnerable and contributed to the following disaster.

Failure of the Second Section Under Captain Albert Alison

To strengthen the operation, a second section of colonial forces was deployed under the command of Captain Albert Alison. This column attempted to climb a pass near Champagne Castle, another part of the Drakensberg range. The objective was to find a suitable crossing point and link up with Durnford’s main force to trap Langalibalele and his followers.

 

However, this attempt failed. Captain Alison’s troops could not find a viable pass through the rugged and steep terrain. As a result, they could not rendezvous with Durnford’s forces, leaving them isolated and without reinforcements at a critical moment. This failure significantly weakened the colonial strategy and contributed to the disastrous outcome of the skirmish.

The Ambush and Colonial Losses

On November 3, 1873, Durnford’s forces encountered a large assembly of amaHlubi warriors at the top of the pass. Initial attempts to negotiate failed, and the situation quickly escalated into violence. The amaHlubi, some armed with firearms from the diamond fields, ambushed the colonial troops. Five members of the colonial force were killed, and Durnford himself was seriously wounded, sustaining injuries that left his left arm permanently impaired. 

The Fallen Soldiers

The skirmish at Bushman’s River Pass resulted in the deaths of several colonial troops, including:

Trooper Robert Henry Erskine – Son of Major Erskine, the Colonial Secretary, who was assisting Major Durnford at his death.

Trooper Edwin Bond – A member of the Royal Natal Carbineers, killed in the initial attack.

Trooper Charles Davie Potterill – Another Carbineer who fell during the skirmish.

Interpreter Elijah Nkambule – Killed while serving as an interpreter for the colonial forces.

Interpreter Katana – Another interpreter who lost his life in the engagement.

These casualties highlighted the serious miscalculations made by the colonial forces and their underestimation of the amaHlubi resistance. 

Aftermath and Consequences

Following the failed operation, the British intensified their efforts to capture Langalibalele. By December 1873, he was apprehended and subjected to a controversial trial, which was widely criticised for procedural irregularities. He was convicted of rebellion and sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island. However, due to public outcry, he was released in 1875, although he remained under restrictions until he died in 1889.

The rebellion had profound consequences for the amaHlubi people. The colonial government dismantled their settlements, confiscated cattle, and dispersed the community, effectively breaking their societal structure. Additionally, Fort Durnford was constructed in Estcourt in 1875 to prevent future indigenous uprisings. 

The Langalibalele Rebellion and the skirmish at Bushman’s River Pass reflect the broader struggles between indigenous leaders and colonial authorities in South Africa. The rebellion was rooted in disputes over land, autonomy, and firearm control, while the battle highlighted the challenges of enforcing colonial rule in rugged terrain. The navigational error at Nhlawathimbe Pass, the failure of Captain Albert Alison’s section to find a suitable pass near Champagne Castle, and the underestimation of the amaHlubi’s military capability all contributed to the disastrous outcome for the colonial forces. The events of 1873 stand as a testament to the complexities of colonial expansion and the resilience of indigenous resistance.

The amaHlubi originated in the central regions of southern Africa, with their early roots believed to be in what is today southern and central KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape. Oral traditions and historical evidence suggest that they are part of the broader Nguni ethnolinguistic group and were long-established in the Drakensberg foothills and interior highlands before the disruptions of the early 19th century.

The amaHlubi had a distinct identity and a well-organised chieftainship system. They were not Zulu, although over time they came into contact with powerful neighbouring groups, including the Zulu kingdom under Shaka. In the early 1800s, during the period known as the Mfecane (a time of widespread upheaval, warfare, and migration across southern Africa), the amaHlubi were displaced by the Zulu and other rising powers.

Around 1820–1830, the amaHlubi migrated westward into the Natal Drakensberg region under increasing pressure from the expanding Zulu kingdom. Their leader at the time, Chief Matiwane, moved the people into what would later become Basutoland (Lesotho) and the eastern Free State, but their dispersal continued. After Matiwane's death, the amaHlubi came under the leadership of Langalibalele, who in 1849 led a group of his people to settle peacefully in Natal, under British protection, in the Estcourt–Bushman’s River area.

In summary, the amaHlubi originated from precolonial southeastern Africa, were displaced during the Mfecane, and eventually settled in Natal under colonial rule, where tensions eventually led to the 1873 rebellion.