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T he
Sudwala Caves in Mpumalanga, South
Africa, are set in Precambrian dolomite rock,
which was first laid down about 3800
million years ago,
when Africa was
still part of Gondwanaland.
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The
caves were used for shelter in prehistoric times, probably due in part to a
constant supply of fresh air from an unknown source in the caves. In more
modern times, the caves were discovered by Somquba,
one of the sons of the Swazi king Sobhuza
I, who was fleeing from his brother Mswati
II. |
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Somquba
and his followers used the caves as refuge, until Somquba was killed in
an unexpected attack. Survivors stayed on under the leadership of an inDuna (headman
or leader) named Sudwala, thus the name. |
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