13 Aug 2026

The idea to safeguard the historic Madzibakufa Hills and uplift surrounding rural communities has culminated in the formation of the Madzibakufa Conservation and Development Trust, a non-profit organisation now pushing conservation, culture and socio-economic progress in Jackalas No. 1.

The concept for the trust first emerged in the early 1980s under the auspices of the United Nations Global Environmental Fund (GEF). Financial benefits from the initiative were designed to empower rural communities. 

The Madzibakufa Community Development Trust was later formally registered in March 2007.

According to the trust, its mandate is to sensitise, create awareness and educate rural communities on climate change, preservation of cultural sites and artefacts, and the sustainable use of natural resources.

Acting chairperson Christopher Mpinyane said the trust sought to protect, preserve and conserve natural resources, culture and heritage of Jackalas No. 1, while using proceeds from those resources to develop the village.

“The village intends to be at the forefront on issues of sustainable development in areas of agriculture, commerce, industry and infrastructure,” Mpinyane said in an interview.  

He added that development would be driven by ‘a talented home grown human resource in a creative, social, secure, healthy, aesthetic and friendly environment.”

The trust also plans to launch an orphan support programme as part of its broader community development interventions.

Mpinyane explained that the Madzibakufa Hills derive their name from the Ndebele wars, when people sought refuge atop the hills for safety.  

“Because of wars and continuous deaths as a result of battles, the hills were then labelled Madzibakufa, which in isiNdebele refers to protection from death,” he said.

The hills hold deep cultural significance. The chief and his family resided on one hill, commonly known as Madzibakufa 1.  

“The chief’s wife died and was buried on top of the hill and her graveyard is still visible for visitors or tourists to view,” Mpinyane said.

He said another hill housed the wider community on its western side, while a third hill was home to the chief’s assistants and various traditional medicine men. 

A separate area was reserved for elderly rainmakers under the Ntogwa supreme deity. Descendants of the Ntogwa family maintain a hereditary lineage linked to sacred rainmaking and spiritual traditions.

To further promote heritage tourism, the trust has been allocated land on the eastern side of the village at a site called Lemakwale by the Tati Land Board. Plans are underway to build a cultural village.

The hills have already been declared protected national heritage sites, a status the trust said reinforced its fundamental mission to safeguard them for future generations. With conservation at its core, the Madzibakufa Conservation and Development Trust  hopes to balance environmental care with tangible benefits for the community through sustainable and prudent use of local natural assets. ENDS