It is hard to perceive that deep in the heart of scenic
central and northern KwaZulu-Natal, that this area once
was the scene of bloody conflict between the Zulu, Boer
and the British. Their clashes and military engagements
shaped the history of South Africa, and shook the might
of the British Empire's military. It was in this area
over a period of some seventy years, that one historical
drama after another unfolded, making this a popular
tourist destination, particularly for relatives of those
men who served their countries and paid the ultimate
sacrifice.
| Early
African Battles |
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| Early in the 19th century a certain King Shaka
became the leader of a very powerful and proud Zulu
nation, by uniting feuding farmers and quarrelling
cattle herders. Although the forging of this Zulu
nation involved a series of skirmishes and battles,
by the mid-1820's King Shaka had united the most
powerful nation in Southern Africa. |
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| Voortrekker-Zulu
War |
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| A strong independant spirit and dissatisfaction
with British rule in the Cape led to an exodus of
Voortrekkers, intent on establishing independant
republics in the hinterland, where they could maintain
their cultural identity and language. Once The Great
Trek had crossed the Drakensberg mountains, the
voortrekkers came into contact with the Zulu, leading
to disputes over land, cattle and other issues.
The brutal killing of one of the voortrekker leaders,
Piet Retief, and 101 of his followers by King Dingane,
sparked a series of clashes, culminating in the
Battle of Blood River in December 1838. Seriously
outnumbered the vootrekkers who had formed a Laager
(a circle of wagons) along the river (which later
became known as Blood River) were able to defeat
the Zulu impi, and is commemorated to this day by
Afrikaners. |
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| Anglo-Zulu
War 1879 |
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| The colonists in Natal, weary of the growing strength
of the Zulu nation issued them with an ultimatum.
When the demands of the ultimatum were not met by
the Zulu leaders, the British troops invaded Zululand.
At the subsequent Battle of Isandlwana the 1500
strong invading British force was routed by Zulu
impis. On the same day, a Zulu force attacked the
mission station at Rorke's Drift, where just over
a hundred British soldiers were able to hold off
and defeat over 4000 Zulu warriors, for which 11
Victoria Crosses were awarded. It was also during
this war that the last hopes of a reestablished
Napoleonic dynasty were dashed when Prince Louis
Napoleon, an observer with the British forces, was
ambushed, while out riding one day and killed. |
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| First
Anglo-Boer War 1800-1881 |
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| When the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek failed to
negotiate independence from the British through
diplomacy, war was declared. After a series of fierce
engagements, including Laing's Nek and Schuinshoogte,
and the British defeat on Amajuba (the hill of doves),
a peace treaty was signed in October 1881. |
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| Second
Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 |
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| This second war started when the first shots were
fired at the Battle of Talana, which until 1950
was commemorated as Talana Day throughout the British
Empire. This war once again tested the might of
the British military forces and captured world headlines,
when the Boers confounded conventional british military
strategies by employing kommando tactics, in the
process besieging Ladysmith for 118 days. Names
like Winston Churchill, Redvers Buller, Lord Kitchener,
Baden-Powell, Mohandas Gandhi, Louis Botha and Jan
Smuts formed part of the rich tapestry of this war.
Triumphs and tragedies of famous engagements, including
Spioenkop, the Armoured Train incident, Colenso,
Elandslaagte, Vaalkrans, Helpmekaar and of course
the siege of Ladysmith stand out, although several
other battles took place in the Vryheid area and
along the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal. |
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| Bambatha
Rebellion 1906 |
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| Bambatha, a chief of the Zondi tribe, led a protest
against the imposition of a poll tax, by the British.
After four policemen and a trooper were killed at
Ambush Rock, colonial forces were called in and
Bambatha and his men were trapped and killed in
the Mome Gorge. |
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| Despite its rich historic value, don't be fooled
into believing that this area only plays host to
the famous battle sites. There is so much more to
do, see and experience in the Battlefields area. |
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| Its a bird watchers paradise with over 400 different
species recorded in the region. There are horse
trails across the battlefields, leisurely cycle
tours and for the more adventurous the challenge
of white water rafting. Hiking trails are also popular
as is the fishing of trout and bass throughout the
region. Bush adventures and game reserves (hosting
the Big Five)
if you want to experience a bit of Africa's wildside,
are also available throughout the region. |
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| Unique cultural experiences - including the opportunity
to spend a night in an authentic Zulu beehive hut
and witness a sangoma commune with the ancestral
spirits. |
