ABSTRACT
The South African government has indicated its moral support for the Ciskei government and the aspirations of the people. At the broader level of South African politics, the event is consistent with government policy. The recovery of Maqoma’s bones by 'traditional methods' through the seer, and the contribution of the South African Defence Force would seem to be aimed at emphasising the unity and traditions of the Ciskei as a single geo-political unit. Maqoma as the dominant personality in the area was inevitably blamed by the British and in 1829 was expelled. The results of the Ciskeian election of July 1978 would suggest that Sebe does have the authority, and the approval of the crowd at Ntaba KaNdoda underlines it. Negotiations were hindered at every turn by the continuation of raids, which the settlers saw as perfidy on the part of the Ngqika leadership.
