Chiefship in early colonial Natal, 1843–1879

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Abstract
The article examines the impact of the British presence on the institution of chiefship in early colonial Natal. Without alternative financial or manpower resources, the colonial state retained the position of the chiefs and, under the guidance of Theophilus Shepstone, a form of indirect rule developed that was to be adapted in British colonies elsewhere in Africa. But as the upheavals within the area prior to 1843 had seriously disrupted chiefly society Shepstone had to follow a dual policy of creating new 'tribes' under appointed chiefs for Africans whose kinship relations had been destroyed while recognizing existing chiefs and chiefdoms. During these early years chiefdoms whose position had been undermined during the Shakan period and which offered a bulwark against the Zulu kingdom tended to be favoured by the colonial state. The administration carefully protected the interests of 'loyal' chiefs and gave them considerable authority. As a result chiefdoms such as the Chunu, Thembu and Ngwane benefited from the colonial presence and were able to continue imposing services on their people. The colonial presence did, however, bring about changes to the institution of chiefship. Chiefs were expected to act as government officials and were responsible for collecting an annual hut tax and for supplying the state with isibhalo (forced) labour. Duties such as these caused considerable strains within African society and undermined the position of many chiefs. In the 1870s the introduction of a Code of Native Law and the transferral of powers of criminal jurisdiction from chiefs to magistrates further undermined the position of the former at a time when they were also faced by a growing land shortage. As their usefulness declined so the colonial state was looking to new forms of authority to replace them.

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