[Source of metadata – Makhosi Mkhize for FHYA, 2024, using information provided by Heather Hughes. Madikane Cele was a significant figure in the late 19th and early 20th century Natal who bridged traditional African culture and Christianity during the colonial era. Born around mid-1820s in the southern part of the Zulu kingdom, Madikane crossed into Natal as a young boy with the Qadi people fleeing Dingane’s attacks in the late 1830s.
In the following years, after the Qadi chiefdom was established on the uMzinyathi River, a tributary of the uMngeni River north of Durban, the young heir Mqhawe was recognised as Nkosi and Madikane rose to prominence as his advisor. During this time, Madikane acquired an isicoco (headring) as a sign of maturity and took three wives, establishing himself as a respected figure in traditionalist Qadi society.
In the early 1870s, Madikane converted to Christianity at Adams Mission in Amanzimtoti, where he was educated. As a symbol of his conversion, he cut off his headring and gave up polygamy to live with one Christian wife, Sivono. He later established an outstation of the Inanda mission at Amatata, in the area controlled by Nkosi Bhulutshe, the Khumalo leader during the late 1880s.
Madikane provided historical information concerning Zulu history on several occasions in 1903 and 1905 as an interlocutor of James Stuart.
Despite his conversion to Christianity, Madikane continued to serve as a councillor to Qadi Nkosi Mqhawe in dealings with colonial authorities into the early 1900s. This dual role allowed him to navigate between traditional and ikholwa (Christian convert) worlds, maintaining influence in both spheres. Madikane Cele died around 1913.
The FHYA curation of material and associated information pertaining to Madikane Cele was activated by the research collection of Prof. Heather Hughes, a historian and biographer whose work focusses on the history of KwaZulu-Natal. Hughes has conducted research on the Qadi chiefdom and its leaders, including Madikane Cele.
The FHYA selection of materials relating to Madikane Cele consists of copies of the original (and published) record of his discussions with James Stuart; photographs pertaining to Madikane, his family, and the Inanda location; published materials related to him and his family, and a relevant working bibliography compiled by FHYA. Additionally, there are audio interviews with Fred Gijima Msomi, conducted by Heather Hughes and Sizwe Nkomo in October 1988, and their related transcripts, notes and e-dexes.
Additional information, including James Stuart materials and photographs were sourced from the Killie Campbell Africana Library of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as from the Office of Parliament of South Africa in Cape Town.]
