Traditional Lifestyles
The townships of Madadeni and Osizweni form part of the Newcastle Municipality. Madadeni and Osizweni offer visitors an opportunity to experience traditional lifestyles of township life. There are a number of talented artists and dancers that can be visited by appointment, as well as a Sangoma and traditional place of healing.
The name Madadeni is the Zulu translation of Duck Ponds. Before the establishment of the Township of Madadeni near Newcastle this area was known as Duck Ponds. The old farm had several ponds inhabited by wild ducks. One or two of the bigger ponds still exist but the ducks have been threatened by human habitation.
After the establishment of the Group Areas Act in 1950, Duckponds/Madadeni was established as a black residential area. African people in Newcastle were then removed to this area. It was initially administered by the Bantu Affairs Department. From 1972 to 1994 the KwaZulu Natal Government was responsible for the administration; today it forms part of the greater Newcastle Municipality.
Fables of Treasure in Madadeni and Osizweni
Two different stories of treasure, but similar in content, exist in Madadeni and Osizweni. In Madadeni the place where this treasure could be found is known as KwaMathakuza and in Osizweni as HHudula (which means to pull hard).
The fable goes that there is an opening in the ground at these said places. When a person enters it, a flight of narrow stairs in a tunnel leads down to a large cave-like room. In this place the treasure can be found. It consists of gold-like coins or mali yezipoko in Zulu, which means “ghost money”.
These are kept in large black three legged pots. When a person takes some of this money the opening in the ground suddenly closes up, so that it is impossible for a person to exit. Only after the money is returned and put back in the pot, the opening appears again in order for the person to exit.