GAZANKULU Meaning and
Definition
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Gazankulu refers to a former bantustan, or homeland, in South Africa that existed during the apartheid era. The term "gazankulu" is derived from Tsonga or Xitsonga, which is a Bantu language spoken in the region. As a political and administrative entity, Gazankulu was established in 1973 as part of the South African government's policy of separating different ethnic groups into designated territories.
Gazankulu was predominantly inhabited by the Tsonga people, who are a subgroup of the Tsonga-Shangaan ethnic group. The homeland was situated in the northeastern region of South Africa, bordering Mozambique and the Kruger National Park. Its geographical location provided access to trade routes and natural resources, which influenced its economy primarily based on agriculture, mining, and small-scale industries.
During its existence, Gazankulu had its own government institutions, including a legislative assembly and a chief minister. However, these institutions were widely perceived as puppets of the apartheid regime, as the South African government had ultimate control over Gazankulu's administration and policies. Critics argue that the homeland system was used to justify racial discrimination and enforce the policy of separate development.
After the dissolution of apartheid in the early 1990s, Gazankulu, along with other homelands, was abolished. Its territories were reincorporated into the new South Africa, where the Tsonga people became citizens of the country. Today, the name "Gazankulu" primarily serves as a historical reference to a specific period in South Africa's complex and troubled past.
Etymology of GAZANKULU
The word "Gazankulu" has its origins in the Tsonga language of southern Africa. It is derived from the word "Gaza", which refers to a lion in Tsonga. The term "nkulu" means great or big. Therefore, "Gazankulu" essentially translates to "Big Lion" or "Great Lion" in Tsonga.
In the context of its usage, Gazankulu also refers to a former bantustan (a partially self-governing territory created by the South African government during apartheid) in present-day South Africa. It was established as a homeland for the Tsonga people and was officially known as the Republic of Gazankulu from 1971 until its dissolution in 1994.
