The Battlefields – Zulus; British; Boers
The Battlefields – Zulus; British; Boers
The northern section of the province of KwaZulu-Natal is a vast open grassy and rocky landscape that nowadays shows little evidence of the fierce, bloody and historic battles that took place between the Zulus; British and Boers during the 19th century. Without any knowledge of the history the area these sites could easily be overlooked, so it really exciting to take an organised tour with a registered guide to bring out the atmosphere of these battle grounds. The battle route takes you through more than ten towns and over fifty battlefields. There is a well organised tourist information office in both Ladysmith and Dundee where you can have your tours set up or obtain information to do it yourself, as the major battle sites are well signposted. The battles of the 19th and 20th century were fought over the control of the land – the new settlers to the area and the native indigenous African people.
Battle of Blood River
In the early hours of the morning of 16 December 1838, a battle was fought between the Boers, under the leadership of Andries Pretorius, and the Zulu warriors near the (Buffalo) River. Dingane was the King of the Zulus at the time and most historians’ site that his army was led by King Dingane’s generals Dambuza and Ndlela kaSompisi. The Zulu suffered heavy fatalities, losing more than 3000 warriors, while the Boers suffered only three non-fatal injuries. The Ncome River became red with the blood of the dead and wounded Zulu warriors and therefore the river became known as Blood River.
Isandlwana
On January 1879 a British force under Lieutenant General Chelmsford invaded Zululand, without proper authorisation by the British Government. Lord Chelmsford had under him a force of 5000 British and 8200 Africans; 3000 another force of 1400 British and 400 Africans were stationed in the Utrecht district. Three columns were to invade Zululand, from the Lower Tugela River, Rorke’s Drift and Utrecht respectively, their objective being Ulundi, the Zulu royal capital.Cetshwayo’s Zulu army numbered about 40000 warriors and the entry of all three columns was completely unopposed. On 22 January the centre column (1600 British, 2500 Africans), which had advanced from Rorke’s Drift, was encamped near Isandlwana; on the morning of that day Lord Chelmsford split his forces and moved out to support a reconnoitring party. After he had left the camp in charge of Colonel Anthony Durnford, was surprised by a Zulu army nearly 20,000 strong. Chelmsford’s refusal to set up the British camp defensively and ignoring information that the Zulus were close at hand were decisions that all were later to regret. The ensuing Battle of Isandlwana was the greatest victory that the Zulu kingdom would enjoy during the war.
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