Zulu: Water Cart Rescue comic interview!

 

With the current Zulu War anniversaries, here's another chance to see Chris Parkinson's fun wee interview with me on his excellent Redcoat History Channel regarding the Rorke's Drift Water Cart Rescue sortie and my adaptation of it into my comic strip!

The expanded deluxe hardcover is exclusively available from Scott's Pop's & Comics in Warrington or direct from me at forthcoming convention and festival appearances!

ZULU Then and Now!

With today's Anglo-Zulu War anniversaries here's a wee look at the movie's location which inspired my interest. The movie was shot in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa but not at Rorke's Drift itself, (which now houses a museum and working church on the original buildings footprint), but at the Royal Natal National Park, some 130 miles away - about 3 hours drive.

It was this location that I started my last SA trip 5 years ago, staying in the park's accommodation, enjoying a traditional braai and having fun exploring some of the parkland, scouting for movie shots.

The natural amphitheatre dominates the landscape and easily matches up with the movie as do several of the surrounding landmarks such as the distinctive knoll which represents Ulundi, the Royal homestead of the Zulu King, Cetshwayo during the opening marriage ceremony scene. 

The landscape hadn't changed much so matching up shots was possible in certain places.

 

Much fun and debate was had walking the ground where the movie that had affected us all was filmed all those years ago.

Didn't quite get perfect matches for some of the famous movie stills, maybe I need to return?

A very memorable trip on a historic occasion, remembered to this day.

USUTHU!

Some quiet reflection to remember the 22 January 1879 events in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa which impacted on so many and still echoes in history today. I have previously mentioned the memorable trip I made in returning to the battlefields in 2019 as part of the 140th anniversary and while much has changed, annual commemoration events continue to be held at both iSandlwana and Rorke's Drift. 

This year, I only had the chance to rewatch the movie Zulu Dawn to mark the occasion and from afar,  watched with interest those able to attend this year's activities, fondly recalling my own visits and those I shared the experience with.

The UK's Die Hards at Rorke's Drift 22 January 2019

Making a new friend at the iSandlwana battlefield 2019

The Die Hards preparing to 'hold the line' 

Historian & Author Ian Knight points out the Zulu positions
 at iSandlwana (Jan 2019)

There are some tours and travel planned this year but at the moment, it's sadly unlikely I'll be able to join those overseas but something special much closer to home is looking promising which I'll update further when able and provides a further incentive to release you know what!.

Late in the evening

The sky and surroundings of Rorke's Drift late in the evening of the 22nd January 1879 bear the scars of the day's intense fighting. Tired, desperate with everything hanging in the balance, the battle's outcome is far from clear. 

A couple of quiet but tense panels from my forthcoming re-mastered Zulu Water Cart Rescue comics, art by me, colours by Matt Soffe.

22-1-22

 

22nd January always resonates being the anniversary of both the Battles of iSandlwana and Rorke's Drift back in 1879 which had a profound impact on the Zulu Nation which still echoes today, 143 years on. Certainly in recent years, the Zulus themselves have taken their own history centre stage and commemorate their ancestors victory at iSandlwana with memorial services, speeches, re-enactments in an almost celebratory fashion.

I  was lucky enough to witness this for myself on the memorable 140th anniversary battlefields trip three years ago where, with a small group of intrepid adventurers we toured and explored various significant sites in deepest Zululand paying our own respects as invited guests, (as part of historian Ian Knight's group) at iSandlwana and a more intimate affair at Rorke's Drift, both attended by the UK's splendid Die Hards, re-enactment group.

I treasure these memories and the moments spent chatting with Zulu, South African and British travellers all of whom paid their respects to those fallen all those years ago, which I do so again today and remembering those who, since that trip, are no longer with us.

  

Zulu Reflections

iSandlwana 2019, note marquees for commemoration event

'A' Company The Diehards Victorian Living History Group

Today marks the 142nd anniversary of the Battle of iSandlwana and the commencement of the action at Rorke's Drift in South Africa. Like every year, I have paused to pay my respects to the many brave soldiers, warriors and civilians who sadly lost their lives or their way of living during the conflict.

Rorke's Drift

 

Rorke's Drift 22 January 2019

 

One of the locals!

 

As previously noted, my interest in the events of 1879 was originally stirred by the 1964 movie ZULU, leading to a few books (cough, small library!), re-enactment events, museum visits and eventually several battlefield visits all leading to a hopefully deeper understanding of the period and the people.  

The Zulu Nation's Future

These interests have led to a fair few adventures under the African skies and many memorable moments shared with the delightful Zulu people and fellow history enthusiasts leading to friendships, fun and inspiration. In these challenging times when travel is a distant hope and hardship a reality, we cling onto such moments and memories and look forward to a safe time when we can have new Moments of Adventure!   

A lovely reception from the villagers who remembered our previous visit!

Zulu Time!

 

Sawubona! I'll be travelling on tomorrow's Anglo-Zulu War anniversaries so unable to make my usual post so instead here's a few pictures from last year's amazing experience when I was fortunate enough to return to Kwa-Zulu Natal for the 140th commemorative events at the famous battlefields themselves.

As you can imagine, this was a truly memorable event, a great spectacle in great company with the British re-enactors, the Die Hards joined by their South African counterparts from Dundee and a 500 strong Zulu impi, mustered by the King himself who oversaw proceedings.

I'm not sure I've yet fully processed the event, busy as modern life is, but the many photos, notes, conversations and experiences enjoyed during the trip will live with me for a very long time. A real honour to salute the warriors on both sides at the very places where their bravery was witnessed all those years ago. An ongoing inspiration, uhambe kahle, go well.

Gone but not Forgotten!

 

 

As the new year gets under way, there's already a lot to say 

but not from me as I've gone away,

To a land you know where, a place in my heart I do care

and always dreamt to return there,

So don't worry about this chappy, I'm just away being happy

while wearing a new hattie,

But in case you miss this face of mine, here's a pic or nine

and I'll see you back here in no time!

For those I miss don't be sad, I'm doing something which makes me glad

even if you think me mad :)

P.S If you want to see more check out previous year's posts from 22 January, starting here :)