A trip down memory lane on Bhengu Road
The grandson of Sewula Thomas Bhengu, who the road was named after in the early 1900s, Bheka Nicholas Bhengu ()77 shared his family’s wonderfully rich history with the SUN.
Standing tall and bearing a remarkable history, which is passed by every day is a road sign with the words, ‘Bhengu Road’ etched on it. Named after the Bhengu clan of Amanzimtoti, the road tells an incredible story of family and the challenges they faced.
The grandson of Sewula Thomas Bhengu, who the road was named after in the early 1900s, Bheka Nicholas Bhengu (77) shared his family’s wonderfully rich history with the SUN. Boasting a memory that an elephant would envy, Bheka vividly recalled the days he spent as a boy when his grandfather would tell him colourful stories of his family’s history and the time spent in Bhengu Road. A feeling of nostalgia filled the atmosphere, when Bheka spoke of the lush, ripe mangoes and the tall, skinny bamboo that once consumed the land in Bhengu Road.
Thomas was born in 1866 and moved to Johannesburg where he worked as a policeman. Although he received little education, he was able to read and write in IsiZulu. In 1901 he returned home and was married to MaMvune, it was then when he was allocated the land near Old Main Road that stretched from eThekwini to uMzimkulu. During this time he was united with a group of people who were passionate about religion as well and they formed a church, iNhlangano. The establishment was a branch of the the United Congregational Church of South Africa which became famous and favourable as it allowed all people from the area to worship in one place. The church buildings were erected at the intersection of the Old Main Road and Adams Road.
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Thomas was blessed with seven children, one had passed on and the only son was Bheka’s father. He lived in his residential allotment until the era of apartheid began and his farm was sold in 1927 for 98 pounds, which according to Bheka was a lot of money at the time. During this time, Thomas would hand deliver milk in glass bottles house to house. He was praised for the constant supply of fresh, clean milk. Thomas and his family crossed the Old Main Road and re-established themselves at the Nqutshini ward. He was allocated a large piece of land by the government and an area from the original land he owned was renamed as Bhengu Road.
The heritage and legacy of the Bhengu clan did not end there though. In 1932, a school called Jaja Memorial in Stoney Hill became overcrowded because of the increasing number of learners, some of whom were from iNhlangano. Due to the limited number of classrooms in the school, a request was made to Thomas for the accommodation of some of the learners at iNhlangano Church. The younger learners were admitted at the church and the older ones remained in Jaja. Although initially Thomas did not fully support the use of the church as a school, but in sympathy and for the sake of progress, he agreed. As time past, it became difficult for the learners to return to Jaja even though the school had developed.
Eventually the church was replaced by the school and the government was prompted to provide the funds for the rehousing of the church elsewhere. The school was named Isingqungquma BC School however it was not officially registered. In 1966, the traditional leader of the Makhanya Tribe, INkosi Mbondo Makhanya, met with Thomas’ son, Gideon Bhengu to demarcate the boundaries of the school site in 1966. The school was officially named Sewula Lower Primary School, after Thomas.
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He has been married to Bathini Gertrude for 54 years and they have been blessed with six children, 10 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. His grandson, William is learner at Sewula Lower Primary School.
“It is remarkable to still see how strong our family roots are planted into Toti. We will continue to share our family’s history with the generations to come. I am so happy to still walk along the same path that my grandfather once walked,” said Bheka.
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