The Xhosa, the Mfecane and the British in the Eastern Cape.

                                     1781 to 1878

In the strife-torn south-eastern Cape region, home of the Southern Nguni Xhosas, the Mfecane provided fresh challenges as people poured in from the north to escape the wrath of the Zulus. However, Shaka's impis (Zulu word for the army) never crossed into the Xhosa territory in anger mainly because the ferocious Chief Faku of the Mpondo ruled the area with an iron fist. Nevertheless, the Pondos took precautions against a raid from Shaka and every night corralled their cattle