Amatongaland

Amatongaland, or Tongaland, was an independent kingdom of Tsonga people, located in the far north of what would become the Natal colony, bordered on the west by the Lebombo Mountains.

[1] British suzerainty or overlordship was asserted by a treaty made with Queen Regent Zambilli of Amatongaland in 1887.

The possession of Tongaland was strongly desired by the Boers since it would furnish them an outlet to the Indian Ocean.

[5][6] The portion of Amatongaland which came under the British protectorate lay between the Portuguese territory in the north and the north-east frontier of Zululand, in the south.

British administration was set-up by an Order in Council dated 29 June 29, 1896 empowering a Special Commissioner of Amatongaland or Maputaland to appoint executive and judicial officers for the territory, and to legislate by Proclamation, having regard in civil matters to native law.