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Pictures courtesy of the London Medal Co

Described as:

A rare Colony of Natal, Exemption from Native Law medal in silver to Jane Magwaza, who was exempted from Native Law on 16th March, 1893.

Colony of Natal Medal for Exemption from Native Law for Zulus in Silver, reverse engraved: ‘JANE MAGWAZA, 18TH MARCH 1893’. Complete with original double ring suspension.

Condition: Some minor edge bruising and contact marks, Very Fine.

In 1865, early in the life of the Colony of Natal, Law No.28 was enacted which effectively allowed certain natives to be exempted from Native Law and become subject to the same laws as the colonists. This enabled the exempted native to conduct business, enter into contracts particularly those involving the purchase and sale of property, marry and will their estate. A petitioner for example had to establish his or her fitness and the Government based its decision to grant exemption on such grounds as the ability to read and write English, the level of education, conversion to Christianity, and letters of reference from prominent colonists.

Once exemption had been granted the native received a letter of exemption which had to be produced when required. These letters were not durable and were inconvenient. In 1890 it was decided that, as an alternative, exempted natives could purchase an exemption medal in either bronze or silver. In February 1891 the cost of these had been determined to be 5 shillings and 9 shillings respectively and magistrates were requested to prepare a list of exempted natives in their area who wished to purchase a medal. The combined list had 155 names, mostly for the silver medal. An order was placed with the Crown Agent for about double that number. The medals were manufactured in Britain by an unknown company, and the initial distribution took place during 1892. A reasonable estimate is that a maximum of 400 medals in silver and bronze were issued with most of these being in silver. However very few have survived, with an estimated 20 believed to be still extant. One such is the award to Jame Magwaza, which bears the date of 16th March 1893 on it, this being the date of issue of his original Letter of Exemption.

£1,250.