The 1960 Pondo Revolt
On 20 March 1960, the Pondoland revolt, also known as “uNonqulwana”, in the Eastern Cape referred to the action taken by iKongo (ANC supporters who referred to themselves as iKongo – Kongolo Pondo Resistance Movement or Congress – members against the imposition of tribal authorities and impending self-government for Transkei) to reject tribal authorities and self-government of Transkei, initiated by the Bantu Authorities Act of 1951. During a protest gathering in the district of Bizana, Saul Mabude, a tribal authority, was called to explain the Act to the people. His refusal to address the group angered the people to such an extent that they destroyed his house and livestock. The police were called in and a number of people were hurt in the chaos or arrested.
Following the Bizana protests, several such incidents occurred thereafter. As a result of this revolt, meetings were banned. People responded by organising secretly on mountain ridges and formed a movement known as Intaba (Mountain). They demanded the withdrawal of the hated system of the Bantu Authorities Act, the representation of all South Africans in the Republic’s Parliament, relief from increased taxes and the abolition of the pass system. Spies and loyalists (informers) to the tribal authorities reported on these activities. The violent treatment of informers created tension between the activists and the local authorities.
On 6 June 1960, before these problems were tabled b
