Historical tour in KZN || Isandlwana anniversary || Rorke’s Drift || KZN tourism || Museums

Hi guys, we were so honoured to be invited and recognised as 'media' at the Isandlwana anniversary commemoration recently.
The day started with plenty of festivities hosted by the Royal Zulu family of KZN and the local provincial government. A reenactment of the battle also took place later on the day.
Just for understanding, we also visited Rorke's Drift where the battle ended. If you would like to know more, please go to the end of this post were we published an excerpt from a history book.
Watch our first video here:
• Drive from Durban to D...
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Excerpt taken from the book ‘Battles of KwaZulu-Natal’ by Ken Gillings
The Anglo-Zulu War resulted from a number of factors, in particular the fact that King Cetshwayo was seen by the British High Commissioner in South Africa, Sir Bartle Frere, as being a significant stumbling block to the achievement of his ideal of a confederation of white states in Southern Africa. He felt such an objective would have secured British dominance in the region, both politically and economically.
Frere set up a meeting with the Zulu King and presented him with ultimatum which was almost impossible for them to understand. On the 11th January 1879 the ultimatum expired and the British army invaded Zululand under the command of Major General Lord Chelmsford. This battle took place in Ulundi.
The British invaded Zululand by crossing the Mzinyathi (Buffalo) River at Rorke's Drift on Saturday the 11th January 1879.
Their first action was fought the following day, when the homestead of Chief Sihayo at kwaSokhexe was attacked, and the column continued with its advance, arriving below a sphinx-shaped hill named Isandlwana on the 20th January 1879, where camp was established.
The Central Column which totalled some 4907 men. On the 21st January 1879 a party of approximately 150 men under the Command of Major John Dartnell set off on a reconnaissance some 16km to the south-east in the area of the Hlazakazi hill, while the 1 600 men of the 3rd Natal Native Contingent under the command of Cmdt Rupert Lonsdale headed in the direction of the Malakatha mountain.
A party of mounted troops commanded by Lt. Charles Raw, who were patrolling the Nyon heights, observed some Zulus and went out in pursuit. As they approached the edge of the Mabazo overlooking the valley through which the Ngwebeni stream flows, they reigned in and gazed in awe into the valley. Below them rested the bulk of the Zulu army.
The commander-in-chief of the 28 000 strong Zulu army was Kin Cetshwayo's Premier, Chief Mnyamana Buthelezi. His two commanders were Ntshingwayo kaMahole Khosa and Mavumengwana kaNdie Ntuli. The army had left kwaNodwengu (near present day Ulundi) on Friday 17th January 1879, and proceeded for 10km in a single column across the White Mfolozi River, where they camped.
They had intended attacking the British Central Column on the 23rd of January 1879 when the moon was considered to be more favourable.
The Zuu attack commenced at about 12.30 with approximately 20 000 forming the main body and 4000 the reserve.
At first, the British line consisting mainly of men of the 1st 24th Regiment managed to withstand the determined Zulu attack and the line held. The two guns kept up a steady fire and once the Infantrymen had adjusted their sights they succeeded in stemming the Zulu advance.
Possibly as many as one in three Zulus were armed with some type of firearm. The attack caused minimal harm.
Realising that the attack had faltered, the Zulu commander sent Ndlaka and induna to encourage his warriors whereupon he was shot and killed. Simultaneously, Durnford's position on the right collapsed and his men fell back towards the saddle.
The British line fell back and the Zulus advanced. The right horn, which had made its way behind the hill advanced to cut off any attempt to retreat to Rorke's Drift.
Chelmsford, who had been operating in the hills to the south-east was informed of the disaster at Isandlwana, while planning his new camp above the Mangeni falls.
The remnants of the Central Column cautiously made their way back to lsandlwana. reaching it as darkness fell. During the night the reality of the situation had become apparent and the uncertainty about the battle raging at Rorke's Drift did little to alleviate matters. Chelmsford continued his march before dawn, reaching the Mzinyathi River shortly after the Zulus had returned to Zululand.
Both sides lost heavily in the battle. Estimates place the British casualties at 1 357, although accurate figures were never finalised due to the fact that the burial party only finalised its work towards the end of June 1879. Approximately 3000 Zulus were killed, prompting King Cetshwayo to remark: "Alas, a spear has been thrust into the belly of the Nation".

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