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!.

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!

SHAKA Comic!

While checking on the new rewards and excellent progress of Kia Wordsmith, Accent UK's current Kickstarter campaign, I stumbled upon the interesting sounding SHAKA comic, also currently funding on Kickstarter!

The video and campaign details speak for themselves but this promises to be a fun and dramatic re-telling of King Shaka's legend and the origins of the mighty Zulu nation, both subjects close to my heart! I'm not familiar with the creators, who seem to be based in Australia with South African roots but it all looks amazing.

Comics. History and Zulu's what's not to love, please check it out and remember PDF's are a good economic option if international shipping proves costly.

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 :)

Some you win, some Zulus!

Some Zulus! My artwork, Matt Soffe colours from forthcoming graphic novel!

As is traditional today, I've spent a little time reflecting on events in Zululand 139 years ago which, as readers of this blog will be aware, has had rather a profound interest (or is it obsession?) for me for almost as long as I can remember. Much of that time my interest was simply that, an interest stirred by that movie, and a genuine desire to learn more about the military history behind those colourful set-pieces and action scenes. The more I read of course lead to a greater understanding, reaching a pinnacle with my first visit to the South African battlefields themselves with the eminent historian, Ian Knight, who's many books on the subject I've eagerly devoured.

Isandlwana battlefield cairns from 2010

Isandlwana battlefield 2014

Proud & happy Zulu children 2014

That first visit brought me directly into contact with many Zulus themselves and a growing awareness that they viewed the events of 1879 rather differently - a planned Zulu Victory for starters, not just a surprise British defeat -  and also a need to commemorate the occasion as a rare victory against the Europeans colonisation of Africa itself, which is something I guess I'd not really thought about, much to my regret. As they say, history is written by those who won and it is generally that history, that of the victors we learn about ourselves, so - in basic terms - we know that the Anglo-Zulu War was relatively short, (After the Isandlwana defeat, the might of the British Empire was thrown against the Zulus), concluding in the Battle of Ulundi on 4th July 1879 and resulting in the subsequent capture and exile of the Zulu King Cetshwayo.

Ulundi battlefield memorial 2010

After a time and an audience with Queen Victoria at her Osborne House home, Cetshwayo was restored as monarch but to a lessor territorial area and who's powers were severely restricted by the British governors. Not long afterwards Cetshwayo died, possibly poisoned by his rivals, and various periods of unrest followed culminating in the deadly and failed Zulu rebellion of 1906. British interest during this period was of course dominated by clashes with the resident Boer farmers leading to two major wars, setting a template for the World Wars to follow. Zulu influence was further and further eroded during this time, arguably leading to the rise of apartheid so that it's only comparatively recently - post Mandela - that the authentic Zulu voice has again been heard and more importantly listened to again.

King Cetshwayo's remote burial site, deepest Zululand 2014

I know I'm been very, very simplistic in these comments but I mention this really to illustrate that history or rather perceptions of history can continually evolve by those who are or were affected by it. These thoughts came to me during my 2010 and subsequent 2014 trips around Zululand, encountering many locals who, rather than be encumbered by history were very much in the now, enjoying what freedoms are available to them or may be available in the future - Zulus particularly seem a very proud and optimistic bunch!

Ian Knight and reader inside Ulundi battlefield memorial 2014

I know that Ian Knight and many other scholars have regretted the relative lack and brevity of first-hand Zulu accounts of the 1879 war compared to the almost numerous European accounts which of course can lead to a certain bias, which Mr Knight and others have done well to counter to provide as balanced a view as they can of the events which fascinate us so.

Zulu veteran from the 2016 re-enactment

Since 1999, there have been annual re-enactments at Isandlwana which modern Zulu Kings and dignitaries have attended, bringing a fresh modern interest in the conflict among the Zulu people who themselves can 'reclaim' their own history and bring the events of 1879 to a fresh perspective. This year has been no different and I've already seen a couple of contemporary reports of the 2018 anniversary which show that interest continues to grow and this surely can only be a good thing in terms of commemorating the ultimate sacrifices that so many made and allowing both countries and its people come to terms with a troubled past.

Keeping the throne warm for the King 2014

As for me, well despite my reading and learning, I'm not qualified enough to speak of the politics of the time or of now other than to try and show an equal balance between both sides in my own interpretations of this period of history. The expanded story Pointy Heads attempts to do this in my much promised forthcoming graphic novel of the Zulu Wars which is inching towards completion!

Zulu children from Pointy Heads, my art Matt Soffe colours

Zulu Reflections

I always feel a little melancholy on this day in January (see last year, here), and it's not just the winter blues it's because on this day way back in 1879, the two most famous battles of the Anglo-Zulu War occurred, the Zulu victory at iSandlwana and the successful British defence at Rorke's Drift, (made famous of course in the 1964 movie, ZULU).

My own interest in the period of course stems from that movie and has been a passion of mine ever since developing into books, my own comic book efforts and a couple of battlefield and wider Zululand adventure trips.

All this interest, passion and enthusiasm for the period is tinged with sadness on the anniversaries as so many men, both British and Zulu lost their lives and in the course of the subsequent short but decisive war, the Zulu Kingdom and way of life was destroyed. So I will spare a thought today for those brave souls from 137 years ago and share a few sombre photos from my 2014 trip to these famous sites.