Book review: In search of Nongqawuse

In search of Nongqawuse

Treive Nicholas

Kwela

Review: Karen Watkins

Step aside, dull history books – this one’s got everything: mystery, travel, ancestral drama, boiled eggs and even a symbolic grave in England.

Nicholas takes us on a deeply personal and gripping journey into one of South Africa’s most tragic and misunderstood historical events – the Cattle Killing of 1856. At the centre of it all is a 15-year-old girl named Nongqawuse (pronounced noǃawuːse), who claimed that if the amaXhosa people destroyed their cattle and crops, the ancestors would rise up and drive out the British. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.

What followed was a devastating famine, the loss of a way of life and centuries of blame and confusion. But this isn’t just a retelling of old events – Nicholas brings fresh eyes and a human touch to the story.

Having first visited the Wild Coast in the 1980s while teaching paraplegic children in Mthatha, he returns decades later, travelling slippery backroads, crossing untamed rivers and eating lots of hard-boiled eggs with the Border Historical Society.

Through illness, laughter and poignant moments (including an emotional visit to King Hintsa’s grave), he digs into the layers of this complex history with care and curiosity. Along the way, he asks some tough questions: What if the prophecy had come true? Would Nongqawuse still be seen as a scapegoat – or a saviour?

It’s a beautifully written, thought-provoking and surprisingly entertaining read. Nicholas blends historical research, travel writing and personal memoir into a compelling mix. Even if you think you know the story, this book offers something new – and something deeply relevant to how we understand identity, belief and colonial legacy today.

Whether you're a history nut or just love a good story well told, this one’s worth picking up.